New Dictator WW2 scenario...When should it start?

[curtsibling]

Howdy!

At them moment, I am loosely working on the prototype of a new WW2 scenario, as I finish off Dalek Tyranny...
One of the aspects I am interested in looking at is when the scenario kicks off...Which 'era' of WW2...?

I have a variety of time-milestones in mind. But I am always eager to see what other people think!

The traditional WW2 scens I have made tend to start during 1940, in the thick of the Battle of Britain.

But I want to look at some alternatives. I have made a poll that will run for a while, in order to get a feel
for the opinions of the CIV2 crew here! Please take the poll and let me know what era of WW2 you prefer...!

[Patine]

I voted 'Other.' Try the challenge of September 1939, before the Axis have gotten their full momentum. I don't know who'd control countries like Poland, Denmark, Norway, the Low Countries, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece (maybe lump them together with China into a 'Minor Allies' civ, like I did in an attempt at a global WW2 scen almost 7 years ago), but it could be fun I think, to mash those minor European countries.

[jim panse]

I voted "Other" as well - and attach a suggestion to my decision: You could use November 1942 as the kick-off for your revamped scenario, y'a know, El Alamein, Stalingrad, etc - and the Race to Berlin.

Btw, what map will you be using? I am rather curious about that ...

[techumseh]

I voted "other" as well. I like July, 1937 - the Marco Polo Bridge incident. You may as well start at the beginning.

[tanelorn]

I voted other too. I'd go for 1 September 1939, but I have to say July 1937 sounds tempting.

[curtsibling]

Good suggestions...And nothing will be set in stone for a while.

I have to admit, I was thinking the Barbarossa start was the best for balancing the civs/units.

Having things start right after the fall of Poland could be interesting!

[curtsibling]

Starting in May 1940 would present a chance to give the player some Blitzing fun, or to prevent one.
But the hassle of setting up the proper civs and deciding who would represent the French could be tricky...

[curtsibling]

I am going to set up a map along the mid-1940 lines of battle. And another along the mid-1941 lines too.

And then I want to test out some graphics I have been making for terrain, and rivers, etc. I will run this
poll for two months, and see what happens. I am inclined to a set-up that enables me to use what civs are
available, as trying to represent the many smaller European nations would be tricky on a global scenario.

And as far as I know certain creators are already making European pre-war and Chinese scenarios!

[Patine]

Well, I admit, I still have 'Rise of the Third Reich' (which, I might add, your speculative German planes will indeed add something to) on the books, which starts in Feb 1933, but it only covers the European Theatre, and is currently on the backburner. I might suggest also Dec 1941, only because no player has to wait to be in the action. Just a thought.

[curtsibling]

A classic 'Axis and Allies' starter like Barbarossa or Pacific campaign does have some advantage of letting each civ
'jump right in'...These are two that I am definitely thinking
about...Another option is where the Axis is on the ropes,
which is the opposite to what most WW2 scens begin at...

[Exile]

Given your preferences, Curt, one stands out.

The 1943 Axis-on-the-defense.

Only I'd like to see the Russian front exclusively. Here's why;

One thing with which we all must contend is the AI's very limited operational abilities. It picks a target, usually a city, and throws everything it has at it. Until it either takes the place or decides to switch targets. Because of this, 43 looks good. Ground and air war with a mindless, hyper-offensive Russian, played by the AI and a very limited, yet qualitatively superior German army trading blows with a much larger foe, constantly receiving vast reinforcements while the Germans hardly get any at all.

A Russian AI would do precisely what, historically, the Russians tended to do; build up mountains of supplies and several hundred divisions, followed by an all-out attack.

I've thought of doing this one myself. Can't find a map.

[Palaiologos]

1943
or better yet 1944.

Fighting in Finland, Hungary, forming a defence line in Poland, that sort of thing. Even forcing the player to create an ardennes offensive of his own to throw back the allied masses and then transfer everything to the eastern front for a last showdown.

The european Axis in peril.

European front only.

[jim panse]

I would concur - and advocate November 1942 as start. As I said, the Axis would face massive onslaughts at El Alamein, Stalingrad ...

[curtsibling]

November 1942 sounds quite cool...
'Can the Axis survive the steel storm and fight back?'
Such an opener would make the scen dramatic from the first turn!

Mid-1940, mid-1941 or late 1942 are interesting me the most right now.

[jim panse]

I think Mid-1940 could be ruled out - to simulate the Battle of Britain on a world map within 2, 3 turns in the beginning would not fit its importance in my opinion.