quote:

ORIGINAL: RichMunn

Hi

I know the title of this thread sounds a bit pretentious.

However, I would like to say a few things which in the end amount to thanks for the forums on Matrix and therefore their inhabitants.

At the beginning of this year I bought WITW. I was somewhat overwhelmed but was, and remain, fascinated. The forum's AARs and War Room have given me so much pleasure and fun that even when I wasn't actually playing, the fact that I had an idea how it worked meant that I could follow the very articulate, sometimes fractious (but rarely impolite) discussions that were going on.

Despite the fact that I had not played WITW that much myself, I was so interested in the crazily detailed WITPAE forum that when it came on sale I bought it too. I have spent only a few hours exploring it in several months, but I love reading the forum posts and maybe someday, when I have limitless time, I might get involved. But the real point is, if you own the game and have seen it on your screen, you do feel more part of the discussion and understanding is much greater.

Then WITE was also on sale. I never understood Barbarossa, Russia was just too big. How could those massive numbers of square counters mean anything? But I had also just bought DC Barbarossa. So I bought WITE. Suddenly I began reading about the Barbarossa campaign for the first time, and I understand its fascination for military historians and wargamers.

So finally (sorry it's taken so long) here is my point. I had a wargaming itch that was scratched by WITW. I looked on from a great distance at WITPAE. And then DC Barbarossa came along, and all of a sudden I feel at home with this sort of game, however complicated. I love the WITE map. (That's all I've done, looked at the map!) But I know the attack is divided into 3 army groups, and where they belong, and why they have to stay where they belong!

I think Barbarossa is easily the best wargame (of its scale) that I have ever played, but that is probably because it is so accessible. It keeps me wanting to play the next turn. Every time I have to make decisions I agonise over them. But the attacking and moving on with the troops is so addictive. I cannot speak to highly of this game. It's brilliant.

So thanks everyone who contributes to any of these forums. Particular thanks to General Goofy, who is by no means Goofy.

I feel set up for a great deal more gaming pleasure in 2016.

Cheers,

Rich