Mark Stevens has passed away

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Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/11/2020 10:34:32 AM

Raver508

Posts: 208
Joined: 3/26/2006
Status: offline

Hi everyone,

I was very saddened to find out today that Mark Stevens has passed away. I'm sure many of the old timers here will remember him as the creator of Europe Aflame - for me, still my favourite TOAW scenario.

http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=299&t=98823

Post #: 1

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 1:44:06 AM

Silvanski

Posts: 2506
Joined: 1/23/2005
From: Belgium, residing in TX-USA
Status: offline

Sad to hear this. He was one of the old guard.

_____________________________

The TOAW Redux Dude

(in reply to Raver508)

Post #: 2

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 10:52:35 AM

secadegas

Posts: 275
Joined: 5/16/2007
Status: offline

Terribly sad.

I had always the dream of convince him to upgrade EA to even higher standards... unfortunately this dream ended today.

Europe Aflame is one of the very best scenarios ever created to TOAW.
The design is superb and had been tried and tested. Just some few adjustments to TOAW IV would be needed to make it even stronger.

I know the scenario and its design well and i'm an experienced player for more that 15 years with several EA games played until the very end.
As kind of a tribute to Mark I don't mind doing all the "heavy duty" on a joint project to upgrade the scenario.

With the help of a couple of experienced TOAW people EA upgrade to TOAW IV could be done fairly easy.

Any takers?

< Message edited by secadegas -- 9/12/2020 10:56:29 AM >

(in reply to Silvanski)

Post #: 3

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 2:43:53 PM

sPzAbt653

Posts: 9511
Joined: 5/3/2007
From: east coast, usa
Status: offline

I've worked on collaborations in the past. I wouldn't mind assisting with this, depending on what you have in mind.

I think Mark had stopped working on this scenario long ago, but I am not as familiar with it as you are so you probably know better, but I think that EA hasn't been worked on since 8-10 years ago.

(in reply to secadegas)

Post #: 4

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 3:23:42 PM

sPzAbt653

Posts: 9511
Joined: 5/3/2007
From: east coast, usa
Status: offline

Also, sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Thoughts to his family and friends.

This from IV v.4.1.0.32, the latest I have. It looks like this hasn't been worked on since 2007, and maybe Ulver and/or Trey have input into continuing the development of this fine scenario.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by sPzAbt653 -- 9/12/2020 3:24:42 PM >

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Post #: 5

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 4:14:37 PM

secadegas

Posts: 275
Joined: 5/16/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653

I've worked on collaborations in the past. I wouldn't mind assisting with this, depending on what you have in mind.

I think Mark had stopped working on this scenario long ago, but I am not as familiar with it as you are so you probably know better, but I think that EA hasn't been worked on since 8-10 years ago.

Yes, EA was left abandoned for many years.
But its design is so strong that it still actual today.
One can use the version (c) available with TOAW IV - WWII Misc list - play it right away (only PBEM or hot seat) and have a blast.

However this version (c) - which has some minor bugs - isn't the last. There was one later version by Mark ("rail amendment (to 6 hex's/turn) + Riga supply point" version) and a later one by Veers which introduced some interesting new concepts but which wasn't never really developed.

Back in 2012/2013, taking from the lastest Mark's version and Veers's unfinished upgrade, I tackle the few minor bugs in the editor (mainly related with France phase II offensive) and adapted (unofficially) to TOAW v3.4 (a major TOAW III upgrade for those who still remember).
This (unofficial) version was thouroughly "battle tested" as it was played by some very experienced players back in the days.

Using this bug free version and with some assistance (bringing some good ideas to improve even an already amazing scenario, profiting from TOAW IV new features, and updating the scenario briefing (in good english, something i can't obviously do...)
Please mind that EA has in its design 997 or 998 events because the limit at the time were 1000 events. No other scenario at the time had such kind of complexity. Still it's quite simple to play!

Hosnestly I wasn't expecting such high class of assistance... if you agree with this project we can go on "under the sheets"...

For all you who may want to help you can find me here: jrrusso at mail dot telepac dot pt

(in reply to sPzAbt653)

Post #: 6

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 4:23:45 PM

secadegas

Posts: 275
Joined: 5/16/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653

It looks like this hasn't been worked on since 2007, and maybe Ulver and/or Trey have input into continuing the development of this fine scenario.

Ulver Niesen and Trey Marshall (two excelent designers) unfortunately letf TOAW long ago.

As side info: there are still some scenarios available from Trey Marshall. They were designed for TOAW I but they all worth playing.

(in reply to sPzAbt653)

Post #: 7

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/12/2020 6:49:26 PM

sPzAbt653

Posts: 9511
Joined: 5/3/2007
From: east coast, usa
Status: offline

quote:

Ulver Niesen and Trey Marshall (two excelent designers) unfortunately letf TOAW long ago.

I'm not familiar with Ulver but I know Trey's nice scenarios.

I'm done making scenarios myself, and am reluctant to spend time updating any of my scenarios from earlier versions. The developers have shown too much of an inclination toward their own desires and little respect to others designs, past and future. That's personal and has nothing to do with the large TOAW Community full of kind hearted well intended folks. Additionally, and sadly, and embarrassingly, there is no other Operational Level game available to tinker with. Therefore, I continue to offer TOAW assistance.

My e-mail can be had by clicking my name to the left <<<

(in reply to secadegas)

Post #: 8

RE: Mark Stevens has passed away - 9/13/2020 12:14:09 AM

Raver508

Posts: 208
Joined: 3/26/2006
Status: offline

Hi Secadegas

Sounds like we have that in common. I've been corresponding and playing with Mark for maybe a decade. I had the privilege of playing EA with him once or twice, but he was pretty much over updating the game - and I tried a few times to convince him to do it ;)

As you say, the current version is serviceable, which is a credit to the design. But its not optimized for ToaW4. I'm really keen to help out with a project to revitalize it, although I dont have much in the way of skills to offer! I've never designed a scenario, and in fact I cant even get TOAW4 to work properly on my computer. Perhaps there are things I could do to help someone who knows what they're doing though? Updating the briefing might be within my grasp.

Incidentally, I've been in touch with Mark's family, and they are holding a kind of wake tonight at a bar in London. I'll be raising a glass :)

(in reply to secadegas)

Post #: 9