Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I take to the skies again!

The youplay.it site is working again after being down for 2 days and 18 hours! For those of you who don't know, youplay.it hosts free online versions of Blue Max, Cartagena, VampiRing, King Me! and Wooden Ships & Iron Men.

My favourite game is Blue Max and I've played over 900 games in the five years I've been registered on the site. Blue Max is a game of WWI air combat where players pilot an aircraft with the aim of shooting down their opponents. The game is played on a hex map and each type of aircraft has different move capabilities. Moves are simultaneous so you never know exactly which move your opponent will choose, but based on their previous move, speed and extra information you may receive if you are tailing them, it is possible to narrow down their possible choices. I find the game gives the feel of a WWI air duel but plays like an abstract game with a tiny bit of luck (the random numbers generated for damage when you shoot at another aircraft).

Here's a link to the results of a recent 3 vs 3 game of Blue Max where I was lucky enough to shoot down all three of my opponents. I was particularly happy with result because a new player on my side decided to leave the game on turn 5 which left myself and my other wingman vulnerable at 2 vs 3 of the enemy.

Here's another computer-generated image of a WWI aircraft by Mark Miller (all images property of and copyright by Mark Miller 2001-2006). This one has the colour scheme and markings of an actual Albatros DV flown by Vfw Otto Konnecke of Jasta 5 in 1917.



Otto Konnecke's Albatros DV



One of my own Blue Max WWI aircraft that I painted in the same colour scheme as Otto Konnecke's Albatros DV (Irregular Miniatures 1/300 scale)


6 comments:

Ken Lee said...

1) How easy is this game to learn and play? 2) And is it conducive for play in the office? Meaning I can play a turn or so and leave it alone whilst I get work done.

My interest was piqued the first time you wrote about it. But I was a little lost after going through some of the rules on the site.

Ozvortex said...

Blue Max would be perfect for office play. You make a move and then wait for you opponent to make a move. Every time you log on you see games where it is your turn to move.

Most players have several games going at once.

This is a very easy game but there is skill involved. Let me know if you're interested and I can set up a learning game for us when you've registered.

Fraser Anderson said...

have you tried the Wings of War miniatures game? I keep "almost" buying it.... minis are so nice looking.

Ozvortex said...

Hey Fraser. I picked up Wings of War: Burning Drachens in a math trade several months ago but haven't had the chance to play it yet. It just comes with the cards, not the miniatures. I have seen the miniatures and they're very nice. It looks like a good game.

Ken Lee said...

I'd be very keen to start an introductory game with you. It'll surely make learning a much more fun-ner prospect.

Ozvortex said...

Ken - Let me know when you've signed up.