Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
1–10 of 49 posts
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#2Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#3Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
Foxhole entrenched is a game to look at
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#4Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
Battletech, both the tabletop and the last PC game, do a decent job. The former mainly in some of the added rule books (I think Tactical Ops and Strategic Ops in the last edition, before there was one called Tactical Handbook) which even go as deep as covering things like Depot and Factory modifications to military hardware (in that case Mechs) that is generally speaking pretty much in line with how modern military systems are managed. There are some more abstract systems using pool points for ease of book keeping.
The PC game takes some short cuts for ease of use (improvements to the base dropship the merc unit is using) and is assuming spares and consumables are readily available. It is covering the basic principals rather well so.
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#5Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
> Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
ISTR that the big strategic/operational tabletop games of the 1980s often had semi realistic depictions of at least the importance of logistic (at least supply); things like WWII European (or Pacific) Theater of Operations from SPI, Avalon Hill’s Empires in Arms (which I just learned has a still-actuvely-maintained official computer version), etc.
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#6Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
I'm not sure I'd say realistic per se, but Hearts of Iron 4's (WW2 grand strategy game) new logistics system is pretty good IMHO. You need to manufacture enough of each war machine (with the necessary raw materials), then handle supply through railways, supply hubs (and trucks/horses from then on, depending on terrain, type and number of divisions and of course if you have enough trucks) and convoys if supplying overseas.
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#7Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
This one [1] is famously detailed. There are 23 pages in the manual dedicated just to logistics. A famous example of the level of detail is that Italian troops require an extra portion of water supplies to cook pasta.
As per the linked article:
> Reviewer Luke Winkie pointed out that "If you and your group meets for three hours at a time, twice a month, you’d wrap up the campaign in about 20 years.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Campaign_for_North_Africa
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#8Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
I don't think it's a war game per se, but wars can occur in Dwarf Fortress. And there can definitely be some very detailed logistics involved.
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#9Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
The Operational Combat Series[0] is famous within the hex-and-counter wargame community for its logistic systems. It deals only with mid-twentieth century conflict. Supply point counters are brought near the front by land,sea, or air transport, and then consumed by troops to fight.
More recently, the Levy and Campaign series[1] tries to seriously address the kind of pre-modern logistical problems that are discussed by the OP. You have to feed your troops, and can get food by hauling it with you (in which case you need to acquire the necessary transport) or by ravaging the local countryside (which has other side effects).
Generally speaking, there just aren't many pre-modern tabletop wargames (World War II is by far a more popular topic), and most of the ones that do exist are "tactical" games that deal only with single battles, and so bypass all the logistical issues.
This thread[2] on boardgamegeek may be of interest, there are probably other similar threads there, too.
[0]: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/80/series-operatio... [1]: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/72536/series-levy-... [2]: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2265815/games-about-logisti...
Re: Logistics, How Did They Do It, Part I: The Problem
#10Are there any computer or table top war games that deal in a somewhat realistic way with logistics?
I'm not sure I'd say realistic per se , but Hearts of Iron 4's (WW2 grand strategy game) new logistics system is pretty good IMHO. You need to manufacture enough of each war machine (with the necessary raw materials), then handle supply through railways, supply hubs (and trucks/horses from then on, depending on terrain, type and number of divisions and of course if you have enough trucks) and convoys if supplying ove…
It's worth a note that this was introduced with the latest DLC, and the AI currently is hopelessly broken as it does not understand the importance of defending your railway lines connecting your supply depots.