Panzer IV Ausf A
Tankbase lives! Well, sort of.
What is it? Panzer IV, or, if you like, Tankbase 2009, is my latest computer-assist World War II wargame ruleset project, currently in progress.
"Rivet counting" games are not fashionable these days, but this is a game specially for those of you out there who realize that there is a difference between an A9 Cruiser Tank and an A10 Cruiser Tank, and who want their game systems to reflect that difference. This is a game for "treadheads".
For example, if you're the type of gamer who knows that the photo to the right is a Panzer IV Ausf D (uparmored to E standard), not an Ausf A, this game's for you. In this system, I've tried to recapture the feel and flavor of the old tank books I poured over in the 1970's and 1980's: Robert Crisp's Brazen Chariots, Chamberlain & Ellis' British and American Tanks of World War II, the Profile and Bellona Prints series.
Status Update (as of November 27, 2008): Early on in this project I decided to do this one "bottom up", starting with writing the data entry, data editor, and scenario editor programs first and then working on the main combat systems. This is the exact opposite of the way I've done most of my other projects, which is why a number of my other prototype games have functioning game components but no working data or scenario editors.
At this moment, all the data (vehicles, anti-tank guns, infantry, aircraft, and objects (i.e., everything else)) from the original boardgames is keyed into the database. The database editor program is done. The scenario builder/editor program is almost done, and should be finished around the end of 2008.
None of the combat systems are started yet. That's next for 2009.
Plans for the Future: This first version of Panzer IV, appropriately named Ausf A, is based closely on the old 1980-vintage series of Yaquinto board wargames: Panzer, 88, and Armor. There are two reasons for this: first, because I needed a working set of computer-assist WWII wargame rules for my own use, and I felt using the Yaquinto games as a basis for the first version of Panzer IV was the quickest way to get something on the table. Second, I wanted a computer-assist version of the old Yaquinto boardgames.
Over time, the plan is to replace the Yaquinto-based game systems and data with game mechanics I developed in my work on the various Tankbase projects dating back to 1988. Eventually I'd like to use the Panzer IV system to develop the ultimate tank ballistics simulator, using the best technical information now available on the web.
This is a "nostalgia" project for me, so I decided to program this first module old school style: in DOS, in Basic. Somewhere down the road, probably starting with the next module, I'll migrate the whole thing to Windows using Visual Basic.
I would also like to eventually do Panzer IV modules for computer-assist versions of GHQ's Tank Charts, Chaosium's Engage & Destroy, GHQ/GDW's TacForce, and perhaps even going back and re-doing TSR's Tractics from scratch again. It's just something I like to do.
Screen shots:
- It's a computer-assist set of WWII miniature rules, focusing (as the name implies) on tank combat. It covers 1939 through 1945, and may eventually cover everything back through World War I.
- It's freeware. I'm doing it strictly for fun. I'm not sure what I'll be able to distribute or when it'll be available, but it will be available for free download here on Irvania.com.
- It's a nostalgia project for me, so I'm doing this first version (Ausf A) in Turbo Basic in DOS. It's ancient. The mouse doesn't work with it. There are no graphics. Just like old times.
- It's an "open" project, kinda like Linux. If you can program in Turbo Basic, feel free to fiddle around with it, and even use bits and pieces for your own programming projects.
- The technical data, unit values, and game mechanics in this version (Ausf A) are not my final word on the subject. This is what I've put together in order to get this system working, so I can use it in my WWII miniatures games. I've done, and will continue to do, more in-depth research and will be using the data from that research in future modules.
- This is strictly a volunteer operation, and I have several other major projects going on at any given time. This is one of the top projects on my priority list, but I can still only work on it a few hours here and there, so it'll get done when it gets done.
- There is a new section in the Irvania.com discussion forum devoted to Panzer IV Ausf A. If there's a lot of interest, I can start a new mailing list and host it here on Irvania.com.
Last updated: January 13, 2011