Balance of Power II (Poll) - Ready for a new game

[Cranberry]

Playing as Kanzler Adenauer would make more sense in a Germany as constitutional monarchy setting as well, I'd say.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

A Zentrum-SDP coalition government would be interesting. Pretty much like Prussia under the Weimar, except of Zentrum being the senior partner.

[Cranberry]

A Zentrum-SDP coalition government would be interesting. Pretty much like Prussia under the Weimar, except of Zentrum being the senior partner.

Indeed, that would certainly be fun. Zentrum generally seems like the ultimate option in such a Germany, as there probably won't be any possible workable governments exclusively to the left or to the right of Zentrum, meaning they will always be involved - similar to the FDP's role in the BRD prior to the 90ies, just with Zentrum being far stronger obviously.

[Lumine]

Yes, Ottoman Empire and Germany would be intended for Grand Vizir and Chancellor (to balance out the autocracies, and because again, I am fond of irony). I'll have to do some reading to settle on a Chancellor and the precise coalition, but the player will probably be allowed to arm a Reichstag coalition of his own (advantage of the Zentrum, he could concievably go for a Grosse Coalition, one of the center left, one of center right...).

Russia, if broken, would be playable still, I'll probably give options (but a single player for a Russian state), I do have to rethink the whole concept there. America is probably going to be the MacArthur Junta on its first year (31-32'). I have settled on William Randolph Hearst and William G. MacAdoo as Presidents, but I need three or four more (at least two are getting assassinated) from the Democratic party, the more dystopic or obscure the better.

Ultimately, if this goes ahead, it will be much later on (May sounds nice). In the meantime, I'll do basic research and write some ideas, so if you have any proposals do post them here!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I think there's a consensus there's no rush though I will obviously await this with a great deal of anticipation

[Kingpoleon]

I can add to that, great ideas! I'd absolutely love to return playing as Germany (but as said, not really before mid-May) in such a game. I like your ideas regarding Germany as a centre of democracy - should the player than rather be the Kanzler instead of the Kaiser?

I like the idea of having the Crown Prince or oldest brother to the Kaiser being the third branch. Perhaps let the player choose to influence the type of government one way or another?

[Lumine]

I can add to that, great ideas! I'd absolutely love to return playing as Germany (but as said, not really before mid-May) in such a game. I like your ideas regarding Germany as a centre of democracy - should the player than rather be the Kanzler instead of the Kaiser?

I like the idea of having the Crown Prince or oldest brother to the Kaiser being the third branch. Perhaps let the player choose to influence the type of government one way or another?

I'm perfectly willing to allow players to be able to have more input on their countries, as this also reduces the work of the GM. Some of them could be restricted (particularly to avoid a lack of balance or see something too unrealistic), but I see little harm in allowing a player to settle on a particular party or head of state if it seems like a good idea (the player, could, for example, choose between a President Sinclair, President Ford or MacArthur Junta if he chooses America, and I take the time to write the appropiate context and calculate).

Any thoughts?

Also, I'll also be reforming the military system greatly. On one side, the first BoP system gave us very unrealistic results, but the second BoP was perhaps too complex. Chances are we'll use a basic system of "divisions" to account for armies and retain most of the mobilization/reserve system to take WW1 and WW2 style warfare into account). Remember, though, this world post BoP I is a world with less advanced warfare than the 1932 we know.

[Lumine]

Okay, gentlemen, May is here!

My sanity and my schedule have significantly cleared, meaning I am in a position to host a game again (and I have the enthusiasm in doing so as well). We have established that 1861 was too complex a time, and that there is interest for a "Swords of Damocles" sequel to Balance of Power I. While I was reclutant in the past to host games earlier than the XIX Century, I've also grown interested in the possibility of hosting something between 1450 and 1700' in terms of dates, being particularly interested in events such as the War of the Roses and the Thirty Years Was (like Spamage's game).

So the question is, do we have players with enough time at this moment of the year? And second, which option or time period do you prefer for the next strategy game?

[Kingpoleon]

On AH.com, pre-Napoleonic games died quickly. I like a post-"Kaiserreich" one, or maybe somewhere between 1793 and 1812, or somewhere between 1838 and 1896. Overall: 1793-1812, 1838-1896, 1917-1957. The Victorian era game seems best.

Personally, I need about until May 26 until I can become fully committed to a game, otherwise it will be more of a once a day thing where it's hard to post full turns. At the very earliest, May 20.