In Great White North's thread re: an end of year tournament, I made a joke that we should have our own version of the FIFA World Cup. And then...I started thinking about that. And thinking about CM is my crystal meth.
Anyhoo- without treading on Great White North's fantastic idea for an end of year tourney (hence the separate thread), I came up with 2 options for a Fortress Italy FGM invitational (FIFi Cup), both based on pairing players up for a bracket elimination-style tourney in which each round 2 players will do mirror matches and the highest total score for both matches advances tot he next round.
Option 1) Assign players to brackets, then have them fight mirror matches through 3-5 unique, semi-historical, TINY/SMALL, 30 minute scenarios (depending on the number of rounds needed (3 for 8 players, 4 for 16 players, etc.) that go through the Italian campaign (Sicily scenario, Salerno scenario, Mountain scenario, Urban scenario, muddy N.Italy scenario, etc.). Scenarios utilize a number of semi-historical ORBATS that you are not likely to see in H2H play, and run the mix of meeting engagement, probes/attacks. This version can executed with any number of players in multiples of 8, and is more for those who prefer a semi-historical experience.
Option 2) Assign 8 players to different nationalities from Fortress Italy and it's modules (US, UK, New Zealand, India, Poland, France, S.Africa, Germany) and play 3 different May-July 1944 meeting engagement scenarios over 3 elimination rounds to determine the winner. It'd be great to get players from the actual countries involved although I'm not sure what kind of representation we have from some of these and so I may just have to assign folks in the end. Each force is curated for QB points equivalency, tailored to the nationality, but are more ahistorical compared to Option1. I did some testing and think 2 or 3 infantry platoons (with appropriate company and Bn-level heavy weapons attached) plus 1 tank, 1 scout vehicle, and 1 national "special" unit will work, and resembles Hapless' "Company Challenge" in some respects. This probably feels the most like the actual FIFA World Cup.
KEY QUESTION: How many people would be interested in this, and have Fortress Italy and the add-ons? Need at least 8...
What Option sounds most appealing?
Interesting! Sadly, I don't have much time for games, and a mirror match would be way over what I could handle.
Interested. Either option works - Canadian here so that's one country covered.
Great! Some interest!
Five possible maps for Option 1. See my other thread re: playtesters needed.
Assuming 4-5 rounds: Everyone plays Sicily, winners play Salerno, next winners play Mountain, next winners play Counterattack, final is Bologna. I'd probably cut the Counterattack for a 4-round tourney.
Sicily: Italian Probe vs British Paras
Bologna: Poles vs. Luftwaffe Meeting Engagement
Counterattack: German Probe vs Canadians
Salerno: US vs German Meeting Engagement:
Mountain: French Attack on Gebirgsjager prepared position:
Good looking maps, and the historical aspect gives it a nice touch also.
I've got 3 confirmed interested parties from Discord +1 here at FGM ( @a-canadian-cat ). Need at least 4 more.
If you are new to such things, don't be shy! It's a great way to do some H2H play.
I'm leaned in hard on Option #1, with playtests underway for 3 of the 5 potential scenarios.
Option #1:
Players are assigned to elimination brackets (if 8 or 16 players) or pool play followed my elimination rounds (if 12 players). Each player fights mirror matches (2 matches) per Round. The battles are all unique, semi-historical, TINY/SMALL, 30 minute scenarios that go through the Italian campaign (Sicily scenario, Salerno scenario, Mountain scenario, Urban scenario, muddy N.Italy scenario, etc.). The force and map sizes are intended to facilitate mirror matches so that people can get 2 turns done in a sitting. Scenarios utilize a number of semi-historical ORBATS that you are not likely to see in H2H play, and run the mix of meeting engagement and probes/attacks. Each scenario has been curated for balance using the QB points system, and is being confirmed and adjusted as needed via playtesting.
I’d like to join in. I’ve got some summer traveling through mid-August, so turns might be sporadic during that period. After that looks like clear sailing.
OK, that makes 6 so far:
Me
Kilroy from Discord*
Andrew from Discord*
Assuming/hoping a few others will jump in here to get to 8-12.
*Trying to get these guys to come over here
Still falling short on interest to get this going. Giving it a bump.
If you read the pitch but WEREN'T interested, it would be good to get some feedback as to why.... bad choice of module, battle format (i.e., wanted pure quick battles, not scenarios), unappealing elimination format, etc.
B'ah only just seen this, count me in (British!) so happily take my lads into battle 🙂
Preferred option 2 of your original post as not a big fan of mirror battles (no surprises! and believe you learn too much intel from the first fight) but will still fight them if thats the way we go. Maps look cool and choice of forces.
Great! That's 7. Thanks, @guardsman .
Pinging @nathangun (once 😀 ) since these maps are small and I know he did @rico 's tourneys in the past.
Right now, I'm leaning hard into Option 1, but open to doing SlySniper-style scoring instead of the elimination matches. If you don't know what SlySniper did for many years on this site: his (annual?) Field Warrior tournament was decided by total points over 5 matches, but those points were determined by Sly based on how much better you did vs everyone else who played your side in each scenario. No mirror matches needed. With no eliminations, it also allows everyone to play all the scenarios (on which I've worked so hard 😆 )*. It also only requires an even # of players vs. the specific multiples needed for elimination bracket play. Thoughts welcome, as I'd like to maximize the headcount.
*Speaking of: if anyone wants to playtest, please give me a shoutout.
Thanks to @deadpanic for volunteering as a playtester. I could use one more...
@onepingonly this sounds like a cool project, I'd love to jump in if you still need one!
If you need another player I'm down to join too!
Great! Thanks @ben-dover and @cleanercode ! That makes at least 8! When I am back in town, I will set up a play test for you. Let me know if you have a strong Axis or Allied preference.
I prefer axis, but like playing both
@cleanercode (Germans) vs @ben-dover (Canadians) is a go! You both should have Dropbox invites, and passwords sent via PM. Turn 001 is to Cleanercode. Let me know if you have any trouble.
I'd appreciate it if you left your files in the DB as you plan, and I will periodically clear it out after monitoring the game.
Thanks again for testing!
Quick update: This is getting very close now.
Playtesting and adjustment of 5 scenarios is wrapping up - thanks to all who have helped!
Format will be non-elimination, with the tourney winner being the top score over 5 scenarios/battles detailing the campaign in Italy. The scoring will be SlySniper-style, with points awarded relative to how much better a given player performs vs. other players on the same side of the scenario.
Ownership of all of the CMFI modules will be required. Battles feature combinations of US, UK Para, Canadians, Poles, Free French, Germans, and Italians!
Confirming interest would be appreciated as I make the final preparations!
Regards-
OPO