From: rri1@pge.com (RICHARD IRVING)
Subject: Re: A House Divided

Eric Roush (edroush@acpub.duke.edu) wrote:

: A local store has a copy of A House Divided on sale for around $20.

: I've heard that it's a good *game*, but not a good simulation.

It is very much on the introductory level (It is somewhat similar to We
the People (with it's point to point movement), but it uses much
different mechanics, but is about the same level of complexity.)  OTOH,
it is a pretty good strategic level simulation for how simple of a game
it is  (I.e. it's at least as good a simulation of the Civil War as 
Axis & Allies is of WWII. This isn't the Civil War version of Third
Reich.  And I'm sure there are more complicated Civil War strategic
simulations available.)  There are 10 turns per year--1 for each
non-winter month, 1 turn each for Nov/Dec & Jan/Feb.

Length of game depends on the scenario, shorter ones about 1-2 hours, a
full campaign of the Civil War 4-8 hours--but they could end quickly
since the victory conditions are:

Union:  Capture all of the major Confederate supply centers before end of the
game (I think it ends on July 1865.
Confederate:  Capture Washington OR gain more supply points than the
North (which means a successful major invasion) or Wait out for end of
game with out a Union victory.

(If it's to be a quick game, Washington will fall.)

: I am interested in stockpiling games that my son may be interested
: in playing one day (though I'd say I've got 6-7 years to go before
: that becomes a possibility).

I'd say AHD could be played by a about a 10 year old if he was
interested in the subject (I think recommended ages are 10-Adult) 

: And of course, the company that has the rights to the game has
: gone out of business.  No telling if/when the game might be
: reprinted.

Even worse it was designed by the owner of GDW:  Frank Chadwick.  So
there is no telling when or if it will be reprinted.

: Money's tight right now, so I haven't snarfed it up yet.
: However, enough persuasive reasons from folk here might
: convince me to do so.

: OTOH, if enough of you go around saying "Don't sweat it, you can
: always pick up a used copy for $10 somewhere", then I might hold
: fast and not buy it.

Well, I bought my copy used for $10, but after playing it it is good
enough game that I wouldn't have had a problem paying full price of
$24.  If you get it, you may very well enjoy it before your son gets old
enough to play.
--

Richard Irving     rri1@pge.com

I don't like disclaimers, but I have to put them in.  The opinions here
are my own and not necessarily PG&E's.
(As if it had any opinions about this stuff!)

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