Greetings!



Okay, there's this game I have: Hearts of Iron 3. It's a World War 2 Simulation, where you take the reins of any sovereign state in the world in 1936 and take them through the war until 1949. It's extremely open-ended - you can start the war early, stay out of it entirely, or start a fight with your historical allies.

I want to play a collaborative game as the UK; the UK is good to play is:

1) it's got worldwide commitments, but:

2) it's got limited resources, making it a challenge, and:

3) it's got a large navy, and:

4) it's my country

The rules:

I'll act as the Prime Minister (whoever ends up occupying that position in the game; currently it's Stanley Baldwin), and the King, George V (and his heirs, when they take over) I'll leave to the computer, as he doesn't get too involved.
Members of the Board can nominate themselves as government ministers in charge of a particular field. Here are the positions:



Post here if you wish to take a Cabinet position. Cabinet members can give me suggestions on where to go, what to build, basically anything, but not completely outrageous things (like invading USA). I will play whenever the cabinet says so. The timeframe of pre-war sessions will be a month, and the war sessions 2 weeks. All this is open for discussion though.

There will be other positions - Theatre commanders and so on - so don't be disappointed if you don't get a job. Those who don't can all acts as 'Members of Parliament' if you want - you are free to make suggestions on anything and if they're sensible they'll be implimented.

Each substantial post (as and when I get round to it) will be on a particular subject - army, navy, airforce, espionage, diplomacy, or a particular military theatre.

Positions:

Head of Government - DM
The one who does the playing.

Chief of Staff - Murphy
Has veto power on any descision made by Chief of Army, Airforce, or Navy. Can plan all types of campaigns. outlines operations for all sectors.

Head of Security - Jim
Decides what laws should be implimented, for the betterment of the country.
Head of Intelligence - In charge of all our spy networks, both foreign and domestic.

Foreign Minister - Decides what diplomatic actions to do. (need more abilities, please suggest some)

Armaments Minister -
Plans technology research, and plans province projects. Also commands the production of any units. Also the one who directs our slider clicks.

Chief of Army - .Pierre.
Plans campaigns, organizes, and suggests expansion of the army.

Chief of Navy - Hasa
Plans campaigns, organizes, and suggests expansion of the navy.

Chief of Airforce - Silly Punk
Plans campaigns, organizes, and suggests expansion of the airforce.

Important: this is for fun. Don't be put off by it sounding a big job, it's really not. All you'd be required to do is voice your opinion on what should be done and if it works, I'll try to impliment it and watch the sparks fly, and report back.

This will (I hope) be a longterm thread, so don't worry if you need to drop out or can't check the thread for a while, we'll manage! There'll be plenty of pictures

Most important: we're playing this with no twenty/twenty vision. As I said, the game tries to be historical but can throw surprises, so we have to go in there expecting danger or peace in every quarter, depending on the situation. Don't be discouraged if history isn't your thing - given what I just emphasised, being a little rusty on 1930s European history would be a bit of a bonus!

Any questions, let me know.

God Save the King!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raggedy Doctor,

I'd go for chief of staff - military guru sounds about my style.

In that case, I'll go with Chief of the Army, if that's alright.

May I suggest we combine the Foreign Minister post with another one? because the poor sod really doesn't have that much to do.

Minister of Security, please. Assuming you like draconian measures every once in a while.

Okay, that's three positions filled.

Pierre, I think the FM will actually have a lot on his hands, as I'll explain later. I have a feeling Jim as Minister for Security might be a bit underworked, though.

Jim, I'm thinking of combining Security and Intelligence, would you accept this?

That seems most reasonable.

Chief of Navy, if I may.

That'll be interesting.
One question: Who is going to decide on the investments necessary? I mean, if an expansion is proposed, that'll cost money and it will probably be taken away from somewhere else, like the domestic front.

So...

just initially, you've outlined the british position. What types of intelligence can we expect on force levels, allied armies and so on?

In that we have to juggle our armed forces between sectors, I see there are HQs for the army - bombay, etc. (in the right hand top of the 1st screenshot). do we assign individual divisions, or flotillas, or what?

AIRFORCE RAHR!

quote:

Originally posted by D M:
Pierre, I think the FM will actually have a lot on his hands, as I'll explain later. I have a feeling Jim as Minister for Security might be a bit underworked, though.

I need to forget my HoI2 habits, and try to play this game with a blank slate.

quote:

Originally posted by His Noodle Girl:
That'll be interesting.
One question: Who is going to decide on the investments necessary? I mean, if an expansion is proposed, that'll cost money and it will probably be taken away from somewhere else, like the domestic front.

We'll try as much as possible to agree such things collectively, but there will also be a command structure: for example, while the Chiefs of Army/Navy/RAF can call for expansions, they must agree these with the Chief of Staff (Murphy) if he disagrees, and I'll be the ultimate arbiter. Similarly, theatre commanders must ensure the Forces Chiefs are happy with their demands.

It'll flesh out and become second nature as we go

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
So...

just initially, you've outlined the british position. What types of intelligence can we expect on force levels, allied armies and so on?

I'll give as much information as y'all think necessary to do your jobs and get Britain through to the Fifties. I'll try to avoid drowning you in statistics, but if you want more, let me know.

quote:

In that we have to juggle our armed forces between sectors, I see there are HQs for the army - bombay, etc. (in the right hand top of the 1st screenshot). do we assign individual divisions, or flotillas, or what?

We can assign anything from divisions to whole armies, destroyer flotillas and individual aircraft carriers, and aircraft wings. It's pretty in-depth

Apropro of not very much, I've just discovered that the wee little park on the other side of the road from my block of flats was the school (mostly now demolished, except for the High Master's House) where Monty planned the D-Day landings, and presented those plans to Eisenhower, Churchill and George VI. It pleased me.

In that case, I'd reckon the best way to start would be to give us a state of play as we start.

The most important is about overall policy. What is the PMs policy?

As ministers it's our job to implement top down policy (as well as push for our own areas to be prioritised), so in dealing with scarce resources an overall pointer would be handy.

Breaking it down into regions, so we've got Europe, Africa, the middle east, the subcontinent & Australasia...

who are our colonies/firm allies here, and potential/actual enemies.

What are our main sources of raw materials, and where do they come from?

just thoughts...

plus, sounds like the armaments minister is more like the chancellor of the exchequer. Is this right?

Where are our intelligence resources currently allocated.

Murphy, my intention is to use all intelligence gathering to bolster the military, so let me know if you see any major holes as well.

I want tanks.

All these and more will be addressed as soon as I get home from work tonight

I think Murphy is absolutely correct in what we should be addressing. Tonight I will provide information on current troop/naval deployments, potential threats, allies, international developments and our vulnerabilities.

And yes espionage will also be covered - Jim, you'll be able to advise on where to focus our resources as well as what missions to give to our spies both foreign and domestic.

We still need an Armamaments Minister! Which yes, I guess is a Chancellor of the Exchequer. The game gives generic and military-specific names to the ministers.

My policies and aims, in order of priority:

1) to maintain British naval supremacy, either equal to or superior to the next largest fleet;
2) to protect British India as the Jewel of the Empire;
3) to protect the rest of the Empire from threats or invasion;
4) to maintain the balance of power in Europe.

Any others or refinements, post them and we'll discuss.

Everyone (including non-Cabinet members) has the right to raise any subject at all for debate.

So... based on the PMs policies, some questions to the ministers.

policies 1,2 & 3 are largely interwoven.

Jim needs to be in a position to tell us what sort of internal security policy he intends to enforce in india to protect from internal threats - will it require army units in great number?

Pierre needs to consider the type of army that we need to protect the empire - do we need tanks and artillery in great numbers, and if so, based where?

Hasa, as the navy is the principal arm of our forces, what do we need to do to make sure we maintain control over communications to the empire? We will depend on the navy for transport of our armies as much as anything else, as well as control over shipping lanes.

Silly, the airforce is a new, up and coming arm. what is its role going to be?

I'm just thinking ahead, as we are going to be spread thin.

on policy 4 - the balance of power in europe - will this be primarily power-broker and diplomacy based, or do we intend to provide ground troops to local conflicts?