How To?

[Virginia Dave]

How does one go about getting involved in Civil War gaming? What is needed, where are the rules, what is the process. Very interested, but I don't have a clue about gaming etc. Someone please educate me. Thanks

 

[Pat Answer]

There are a few different general types of games: representing units with miniature figures on a large table, representing units with counters or blocks on maps with or without some kind of grid, or computers which handle a lot of details while eliminating the need for space to play and time to set up required by the others (though sacrificing the hands-on 'feel' many of us in the old-school treasure).

The first question would be which of the types interest you most?

 

[Virginia Dave]

Good question. My time is limited as I am a caregiver for my wife. Which would you recommend?

 

[Pat Answer]

If you are low on time and space, and want something you can pause and save and come back to later with a minimum of fuss then the computer is the way to go. The good thing about most computer games is they come with tutorials and multiple settings so you can learn them at your own pace. I'm not an expert on these but I do like to keep track of what's cooking. Others here can give you more information on how to access games directly on-line (i.e. the ACW titles available on the digital distribution service known as "Steam").

Examples:
Some games simulate tactics with what are basically animated miniatures -

Scourge of War: Gettysburg - 150th Anniversary Edition

and some are operations/campaign planning exercises like the old board games -

John Tiller Software - Civil War Battles

Civil War Battles

johntillersoftware.com

and some do the whole war -

Forge of Freedom: The American Civil War, 1861-1865

Forge of Freedom is an older game but it also shows another benefit of the computer: it is a strategy game but you can zoom in and fight battles in detail if you want.

Lots of options, which is a good thing.

 

[luinrina]

I recently downloaded the demo for Scourge of War: Gettysburg to see if my computer can handle it and if I can handle the game. The former seems fine, the latter though... I tested about an hour on brigade level. In the end I was speeding up the game to get those pixel soldiers moving faster. Before I buy the game I'll try the corps level tutorial and maybe a short battle. So maybe you'd like to download the demo first to see if Scourge of War: Gettysburg is your kind of game.

What I can recommend is Ultimate General: Civil War. It has its weak points but overall is a good game. Handling the battles is relatively easy. The most fun is building and equiping your own army.

SIM Game Ultimate General: Civil War Review | The Civil War in Games & Miniatures

Reviews Ultimate General: Civil War Review By Calum Muirhead - April 24, 2017 0 The American Civil War has never really been a popular subject in gaming circles. It often appears to exist in a limbo between the first-person shooter market of the World Wars and the strategic markets of Medieval...

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