Pothos. The computer game.

[jona]

Picking up a clue from Kenny: let's suppose that we design our own computer game about Alexander. What would that be like?Personally, I think that conquering the world has already been done too often (I liked the Alexander scenario of Civilization II, how many centuries ago?). But playing an officer in Alexander's army and making a career looks like an interesting new game. Your aim is to become Alexander's right-hand man (and succeed him), and you can gain points on several levels.For example, show your tactical qualities at the Granicus level, try to survive the Halicarnassus level (clue: have sufficient artillery), gain credits at Issus, etc. On other levels, you will have to show negotiating skills: the courtier who is able to bring Alexander the news that he has been recognized as Son of Zeus, get additional influence points.The players must have the possibility to create alliances: make your opponents satrap of some impossible province, or create an accusation.Anyone any thoughts? (Besides, think of the commercial aspects and possible sequels: "Pothos II. Clash of the Successors" sounds great.)Jona

[amyntoros]

"On other levels, you will have to show negotiating skills: the courtier who is able to bring Alexander the news that he has been recognized as Son of Zeus, get additional influence points."And you'll lose influence points (and get thrown in jail) if you have to tell him that Harpalus has absconded!

[kenny]

Jona HailYour idea is great and to be honnest way ouit of the intellectual thinking of Computer game annoracs.Ill take you on Jona, If I played Alexander and you were Darius.If you won and campured me as prizoner would you whow me mercy. Ha haKenny

[ancientlibrary]

A few years ago I wrote up very detailed rules for
an Alexander-based wargame. Never got
around to finishing it, or playing it. It had one
feature I really liked, based on other war games
like War in Flames. In War in Flames you keep
track of various intangibles, like American Entry
into the war, Soviet entry against Japan,
Spanish sentiment, etc. So, for example, in the
case of American entry, events move this slowly
forward until entry is reached, but various events
can slow it down, speed it up or (in the case of a
simple attack) move it to the end.
.
Anyway, my idea was to track Macedonian
morale and Alexander's ego. So, for example,
Macedonian morale is bolstered by victories,
capture of cities, capture of Darius, etc.
Conversely it is hurt by defeats. Once Persis is
taken, it declines by one every turn the
campaign continues. Assigning
non-Macedonians as satraps or companions
hurts, of course. Alexander can plump it up by
doing things like giving out money or sending
home married soldiers.
.
Meanwhile, victories make Alexander's ego rise.
When it gets to certain levels, Alexander is
forced to take actions that have negative
consequences on Macedonian morale. For
example, announce that he is a god, introduce
proskynesis, marry a barbarian, etc. .
Anyway, I like the idea of a computer game with
a bar for Macedonian morale and a bar for
Alexander's ego. That way, even if you do well,
you still have troubles. You could add more bars
for things like the morale of Darius' armyGÇöat a
certain point they depose him. The point is, you
need to have a mechanism whereby the
*interesting* dynamics of Alexander's campaign
are brought out, not just the technical problem of
winning battles.

[jona]

There are not many exceptions, I think, that as a rule, both the Macedonians and Persians left surrendering opponents alive; it is only after they revolted, that Persian and Macedonian kings were merciless.Jona

[heinrich]

Perhaps it is an idea to give, in the beginning, the position of right-hand man to a computerized Hephaestion, and call the penultimate level something like "funeral games"; those who can spend most money to the pyre, will gain additional points.After this, the last level: who will be able to secure his position in the final months? Again, money will be important, so valiant warriors can be outsmarted by those who have clever hoarded their money.HM

[alejandro]

Hi JonaVery interesting topic indeed.I would like to see games based on Alexander, but I am not so sure about video-games in particular. The main problem of video-games is that they usually mean playing against a computer, which is not very fun (though it can be challenging for a while). Maybe role-playing video-games could be an improvement, but I am not totally convinced.I think that something very interesting could be achieved if you allow for multi-player games though. Then, as you suggest, you can GÇ£climb up the command ladderGÇ¥ by earning credits. However, it is not so much GÇ£me-against-the-computerGÇ¥ as GÇ£me-against-the-other-marshalsGÇ¥, which GÇôin my opinion- would make the game much more fun than just completing missions in a linear fashion. Also, it will allow for both clashes of ambitions (eg, Krateros spying on Philotas) and GÇôeventual- cooperation (eg, Perdikkas-Hephaistion combining their military and logistic skills). I am thinking along the lines of the board-game GÇ£DiplomacyGÇ¥ here (if you donGÇÖt know about it, I highly recommend you try it: itGÇÖs technically easy to grasp, relies on your ability to talk around people to get them doing whatever you want them to do andGǪ itGÇÖs addictive! If interested, try http://www.diplom.org and click on the "i" logo). If this line is followed, the suggested extension GÇ£Clash of the SuccessorsGÇ¥ will be a worthy one!Kind regardsAlejandro