## Readme - WotR v3-0;  Mar 6, 2002 ##



War of the Ring (SPI) (c)1977

=====================================================================

Original Game Design Credits ---

Game Design:
Howard Barasch, Richard Berg

Physical Systems and Graphic Design:
Redmond A. Simonson

Game Development:
B.E. Hessel, Eric Goldberg

Cover and Character Illustrations:
Tim Kirk

Acknowledgements:
Scott Rosenberg, The Mythopoeic Society

Playtesting:
John Butterfield, Gary Christiansen, Gilbert Colgate, Marty Goldberge,
Ben Grossman, Edward Woods

Production:
Bill Bauer, Larry Catalano, Manfred F. Milkuhn, Steve Parsons,
Norman Pearl, Bob Ryer

=====================================================================

--- Cyberboard Gamebox Details ---


 !! Ownership of the original game by at least one player is required
    to play this gamebox.


Gamebox File:     SPI-WotR v3-0.gbx
Description:      Base components, plus some additions, for the SPI 
                  'War of the Ring' game.  Includes 2 versions of the
                  game-map.
Release Date:     Mar 6, 2002
Gamebox Author:   Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman
                  Graphics pulled from John Amenta's ADC2 gameset.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

--- Enhanced Map Scenarios ---

Scenario:         War of the Ring -- The Character Game
                  Standard 'Character Game' setup as described in 2nd
                  Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map.
No. of Players:   2
Scenario File:    SPI-WotR - Character Game v3-0.gsn
Scenario Version: v3-0
Release Date:     Mar 6, 2002
Scenario Author:  Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman
Gamebox Req'd:    SPI-WotR v3-0+


Scenario:         War of the Ring -- The Campaign Game
                  Standard 'Campaign Game' setup as described in 2nd
                  Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map.
No. of Players:   2
Scenario File:    SPI-WotR - Campaign Game v3-0.gsn
Scenario Version: v3-0
Release Date:     Mar 6, 2002
Scenario Author:  Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman
Gamebox Req'd:    SPI-WotR v3-0+


Scenario:         War of the Ring -- The Three Player Game
                  Standard 'Three Player Game' setup as described in
                  2nd Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map.
No. of Players:   3
Scenario File:    SPI-WotR - Three Player Game v3-0.gsn
Scenario Version: v3-0
Release Date:     Mar 6, 2002
Scenario Author:  Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman
Gamebox Req'd:    SPI-WotR v3-0+

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Now go ahead and play.  Have fun and please feel free to let us know
if you notice any errors or to suggest any changes to improve the 
gamebox.

Robert Struble <rwstruble@cox.net>
Karl Kaufman   <krkweb@attbi.com>





Character Game Quick-Start:
======================================================================
[Find a Game]
- Find an opponent, choose sides and determine an acceptable game-turn
  sequence of play.  (See the "Suggested PBeM Game-Turn Sequence" file
  for one way to approach WotR via eMail.)

[Initialize the Game]
- Open CyberBoard and select [File->New:Game]
- Open the Character Game scenario file.
- Append personal names to the player labels, if desired.
- Save the initial game files with a short, logical name; the player
  labels/names will be appended to this base filename to create unique
  names for each player-specific game file.  For example, specifying
  "WotR_RK2" as the base filename might result in the following 
  player-specific game files:

        WotR_RK2-Dark Power Player (Karl).gam
        WotR_RK2-Fellowship (Rob).gam
        WotR_RK2-Spectator.gam

     Format:  <name>-<Player>.gam

- Open the specific game file for the player you've selected, and deal out
  3 Event Cards to each player's "Event Card" board.
- If the game-map card spaces are to be used for the Event, Search
  and/or Magic Cards, deal out all the cards from their playing piece
  trays to their appropriate game-map spaces.
- Email each opponent (and any spectators) their game file, and the
  saved initial setup move file(s).

  Here's a sample name for the move file, to facilitate tracking and
  historical review of the game:

     Format:   <name>-<GT#>-<PBeM_Phase>-<Player>.gmv
     Example:  WotR_RK2-01-0-Dark Power Player (Karl).gam


[PBeM!!]
- Begin the first game-turn, following whatever sequence of play was
  agreed to.
- Each player needs to take care to save/export their move files *and*
  save their game file on exiting.
- Email only the game MOVE files to the other player(s).  (See the 
  "Suggested" PBeM sequence file for a suggested naming convention to 
  be used when saving/exporting game move files.)


 !!  PLEASE don't hesitate to email us playtested sequence-of-play
     outlines that you find to work well.  Of most concern is how to
     facilite the feedback-heavy individual and army combat occurrences.


Important Gameplay Notes:
======================================================================
- With the introduction of the "enhanced" map, hex labels for the 
  original game-map have been sync'd with the CyberBoard hex numbering
  mechanism, with the following caveat:  CyberBoard hex numbers 3300+
  must be translated to "East Map" hex numbers by subtracting 3200
  from the CB hex coordinates and prefixing "E" (hexes 1-3299 simply
  need to be prefixed with a "W").
  
  Translation between the CyberBoard and Original map coordinates:

   Original => CyberBoard:
     West Map (Wnnnn) hexes:  Read normally, without the "W"
     East map (Ennnn) hexes:   Add 3200 and drop the "E."; E0417 = 3617.

   CyberBoard => Original
     CyberBoard Hexes 0001-3299:  Just prefix "W"
     CyberBoard Hexes 3300+:  Subtract 3200, and prefix "E"

- On his/her first Player-Turn, the Fellowship Player needs to deal 
  character cards, Ring indicators, and magic cards to the "Fellowship 
  Characters" Board.   Ownership of the gameboard and pieces will 
  prevent opponents from viewing the cards, but be sure to use the 
  "normalized" cards -- with Frodo and the Ring on the back -- to keep
  character identities secret.  (The original cards are included for
  historical reasons and to allow the Dark Power Player to view 
  character attributes.)

- The Fellowship Player needs to grab an initial set of 4 magic cards, 
  from Rivendell, at the beginning the first Fellowship Player-turn.

- The Gollum card is associated w/ the Fellowship Player in the "Gollum 
  Allegiance Indicator" at game-start to reflect initial "control" of
  Gollum by the Fellowship player.  (Remember, then, that the initial
  Ring Phase roll for Gollum should be skewed to the Fellowship Player,
  subtracting 1 from the die roll.)

- Movement of members of the Fellowship should always be documented
  through "plotted" moves to ensure that transient incursions through
  target search territories can be identified.

- It's debatable whether the Event Card Discard pile is needed *if*
  Event Cards are being drawn directly from the Event Card playing 
  piece tray.  It would provide an interesting approach to return 
  unwanted cards back to the Event Card playing piece tray for add'l
  random draws.


CyberBoard Notes:
======================================================================
- Paraphrased from the Cyberboard Player manual...   Once a scenario is
set up you can create and start a game.  The state of a game is stored
in a different file than the Scenario file, a game file, and, in fact, once
a game is started the scenario file is no longer required.  However, the
gamebox file is *ALWAYS* required.

Here are the filename suffixes for each file type:

*.gbx:  Gamebox   (provides game components for building game scenarios)
*.gsn:  Scenario   (sets up game components in an initial state, ready for a game)
*.gam:  Game instance   (player-specific game files for a started game [i.e. scenario])
*.gmv:  Game move history file  (move history saved/exported, and emailed between player)





Additional Resources:
======================================================================
CyberBoard Home:           http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/index.html
CyberBoard Mailing List:   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CyberboardML
PBeM Emporium:             http://pbem.brainiac.com
Web-Grognards:             http://grognard.com/
Tolkien Wargames website:  http://matrix.dumpshock.com/tzeentch/Tolkien/tolkien.htm



Known Issues:
======================================================================

Gamebox Known Issues:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Duplicate maps in gamebox drastically increases the size of the 
  gamebox file.
- Game-Map playing boards lack the W0000 and E0000 hex space labels
  from the original game map making counter placement and rules 
  coordination difficult.  (However, the "(enhanced)" Game-Map does
  provide an acceptable compromise through synchronization with the
  CyberBoard hex numbering mechanism.)
- Character Card graphics need to be updated to improve resolution.
  (compare Nazguls 3-9 w/ all others)
- Gamebox is lacking the charts and tables; and would also benefit 
  from a summary sheet of all character attibutes, and event, magic
  and search cards.  (Inclusion of rules is strictly off-limits as 
  this gamebox is intended only to supplement a hardcopy of the game
  for those who can't find nearby opponents.)
- Game-map text, symbols and other detail, in general, aren't 
  detailed enough.


Scenario(s) Known Issues:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- None, yet, so please email whatever you find.  As well as suggestions
  for other scenarios, should the base files not meet the initial 
  setup needs of your house/variant rules.




History:
======================================================================

Version 3-0; Mar 6, 2002;   Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Key improvements since v2-0:
- Scenario files for all 3 standard games.
- Playing piece ownership implemented, as needed.
- Shadow Points letter counters.
- Pseudo "hidden" movement counters
- Updated graphics for counters and cards.
- Game piece text added.
- Game-map synced w/ CyberBoard hex numbering.
- Game-map redesigned/re-oriented for CyberBoard.
- Update to suggested PBeM play sequence. 
- Corrections to cards/counters.
- Addition of missing cards/counters.

Misc. fixes since v2.9.1:
- Removed back of double-sided replacement counters.
- Brightened Magic and SoS hex symbols.
- Removed ownership on army counter playing piece trays.
- Added player-owned Event Card playing piece trays.


Version 2.9.1; Feb 2, 2002;   Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Added empty notes to Servants and Character Cards to keep identities
  secret (due to bug in CyberBoard), and removed text note from Ring
  indicator.


Version 2.9; Feb 2, 2002;   Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Added Shadow Points letter counters to gamebox, and added playing 
  piece tray to each scenario.


Version 2.8; Feb 1, 2002;   Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Added enhanced map and scenarios providing hex space association,
  improved orientation and placement of game cards, and maximum usage
  of the game-map.
- Added colors to the "tiny board view" icons.
- Corrected placement for "Iron Hills" dwarves in original map army 
  scenarios.
- Updated PBeM sequence-of-play recommendations.


Version 2.7; Jan 30, 2002;  Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gamebox changes:
- Graphics update:  color-matching w/ card set, added sorcery die-roll
  info to Balrog card, new scan of Nazgul beasts, added half-size 
  counter art, removed boxes from endurance markers, replaced endurance
  chart graphic (again!), sync'd card fonts w/ original cards, rescan
  of "hand" for Saruman cards, added numbering and card-type text
  to all cards, fixed dwarf strength point smudge, modified Gandalf 
  counter to read "... the Grey", added gray border to right of main
  map board as misc short-term holding area for reinforcements.
- Added counter detail, starting hex and reinforcement locations to 
  counter text notes.
- Added character card note to card front text notes.
- Added missing text for Event and Magic Cards, and added text notes 
  for all Event, Magic and Search card fronts.
- Set all Event, Magic and Search cards to only allow viewing of Top
  of card; flip-flopped Event/Search/Magic/Servants piece definitions
  to insure only back-side is visible to opponents.
- Added new set of Fellowship and Free Peoples character cards with
  uniform backs to insure secrecy on the gameboard, and flipped 
  fellowship counters for same reason.  Also, added new set of 
  counters for all characters with uniform tops to provide secrecy 
  in hidden movement games (including Dark Power and Saruman characters).
- Added "Active Card List" gameboard, to make it easier to scan the
  map during search, and to track active Event and Magic cards.
- Verified all counter quantities/detail: fixed 'Men' counters w/
  incorrect backing, re-ordered Saruman counters, fixed 4 dwarf spare
  counters (were 5-5 fronts, now 2-5), fixed front of 4 Dunlending spare
  counters, added missing Mordor Troll spare, added new single-sided
  counters for back-sides of spare combat units for "owned" play.


Changes to scenario file(s):
- Sync'd scenarios w/ new gamebox filename.
- Set ownership for gameboard pieces, and put Fellowship back on map.
- Removed Event Card playing piece boards, in favor of using trays --
  with access appropriately set.


Misc changes:
- Updated RobS email address throughout (new = rwstruble@cox.net).


Version 2.6; Jan 25, 2002;  Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gamebox changes:
- Replaced endurance chart graphic.

Changes to scenario file(s):
- Updated each scenario with new endurance chart.

Misc changes:
- Updated RobS email address throughout (new = rwstruble@cox.net).


Version 2.5; Jan 24, 2002;  Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gamebox changes:
- Fixed Nazgul #5-9 card backs using existing artwork; cards all previously
  said "Nazgul #4"; normalized counter colors (matched FP character ctr
  colors with their respective armies, and modified Elves bow graphic).
- Added "Saruman Event Cards" game board.
- Modified Event Card and Fellowship Card gameboards with new text
  content and sizing, and increased Fellowship Card gameboard dimensions
  to accommodate hidden group markers and Free Peoples cards.
- Added add'l Fellowship group markers to facilitate secrecy during 
  movement (assuming non-Fellowship Free Peoples characters would also
  move under the hidden movement system, if not travelling within an
  army unit).
- Added "Gollum Allegiance Indicator" game board, to hold the Gollum
  card and to facilitate tracking control of Gollum.

Changes to scenario file(s):
- Consolidated playing piece trays, sorting all army reinforcement counters
  by their game entrance order.  (Still no hex numbers, though.) 
- Normalized component naming across scenario files.
- Built three-player scenario, and then dropped the Saruman user to 
  create the Campaign scenario.
- Integrated "Gollum Allegiance Indicator" into all scenarios.


Version 2.3; Jan 23, 2002;  Karl Kaufman <krkweb@attbi.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gamebox changes:
- Updated the gamebox to include the following (repeated) Event cards, missing
  from the original gamebox:
   58   Misty Passes Open - Any Player (same as 57)
   59   Misty Passes Open - Any Player (same as 57)
   61   Fierce Storms - Any Player (same as 60)
   62   Fierce Storms - Any Player (same as 60)
   65   Rivers Flooded - Any Player (same as 63)
   67   Elven Boats - Fellowship Player (same as 66)
   73   Eagles! - Fellowship Player (same as 72)
   85   Orcs in State of Battle Frenzy - Any Player (same as 84)
- Added card geometrys for snap-to-grid.
- Added a new endurance marker, a slash, "/" -- for non-lethal injury to Nazgul.
- Verified search card regions as A-OK.
- Added missing Mordor reinforcement counters to "Darkness" counters using
  existing artwork:
   (3)  2-5 Mordor reinforcement counters.
   (1) 20-4 Barad Dur
   (1)  4-5 Uruk Hai
- Modified (6) 4-7 "Lebennin" reinforcement cavalry units to correct region
  associations:  (2) each for Lebennin, Lamedon and Anfalas.
- Tweaked Celeborn counter back, changing erroneous initial location of
  W2812 to W2918.
- Brand and Dale 10-5 initial counter locations were wrong: indicated 
  E0807 but should be E0808.  This was a carryover from the original
  WotR game counters, but has now been corrected in the gamebox.


Changes to scenario file(s):
- Updated to use new gamebox file.
- Updated properties for scenario w/ changes to PBeM game-turn flow.
- Modified "card" playing boards to use 'Snap to Grid,' after
  tweaking grid to 143Wx215H.
- Added players, and modified ownership of numerous boards and trays.
- Moved 'Ring' magic card to Fellowship card tray, under Frodo.
- Moved Event, Search and non-Palantir magic cards from 'Gameboard' to their
  respective playing piece trays, with the intent of being able to hide their
  content and to provide randomization.  (May still need to create an "Event
  Discard" tray.)  
- Removed non-Character Game event cards (#83-96) from character scenario, 
  and added missing event cards, as needed.
- Removed Gandalf the White from initial Rivendell stack, and dumped him
  into the Fellowship (counters) playing piece tray.
- Flip-flopped Gollum counter/card to reflect initial setup in rules book.
  See E.9: Fellowship "controls" Gollum at game start.  Gollum's card has
  been placed in the "Fellowship (cards)" tray to start.
- Sorted campaign reinf. counters within their trays by their M+n arrival
  order.


Versions 1.2/2.0; Jan 2, 2002; Rob Struble <rwstruble@home.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two versions of this gamebox.

1 - LotR v1_2 contains a hand made map and as such is sized at svelte 1,007Kb (zips to 907Kb). This means you can take it with you on a floppy or e-mail it to someone without fear of rejection by a finicky ISP. This version also includes a card mat to permit "shuffling" (it was made before the release of Cyberboard 2 and the advent of true card shuffling). The counters and cards are legible at most every resolution.

2 - LotR true map v2 contains a map scan and weighs in at a whopping 1,768Kb (zips to 1,739Kb). In return for the hefty Kb size you get a gamebox that is visually identical to playing the tabletop game. Cards are actually placed on the gamemap, likewise with the turn and shadow point markers. Be warned, the cards and counters are a bit hard to read in the 1/2 scale boards.



Versions 1.1; Apr 25, 2001; Rob Struble <rwstruble@home.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Update.


Versions 1.0; Mar 21, 2001; Rob Struble <rwstruble@home.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial release.

