Chain of Command - Tanks - First Skype Game

With the Covid-19 lockdown commencing in Melbourne it was important to maintain contact with club members and play some games. No webcams were currently available so I dragged out an older Microsoft webcam, which was the only one I had.

After searching the internet I found some software, ivCam, which allowed my iPhones and iPad to send a video link to the computer. Works with other smart phones, too.

With the use of a microphone stand on a chair, a music stand, a paint roller pole, some clamps and a handy roll of duct tape I set up the cameras and the game.

I talked the players through the installation and use of Skype prior to the game, which was pretty straightforward. 

I wanted a game that would be easy for the remote players to give orders, with me moving the troops. I settled on a modified version of TooFatLardies Big Chain of Command. This is where I just use vehicles and is suitable for multiple players a side.

We find this game plays quicker than What a Tanker. It also has the advantage that you can add infantry, anti-tank guns and all the other goodies possible in Chain of Command.

Set in Europe 1944, the Allies had two Sherman troops of 3 tanks. One in each troop was a Sherman VC, now known as a Firefly.

The Germans had one troop of StuG IIIs and another of Panzer IVs.

The dice were used to identify each vehicle to make it easier for the players to know which was which.

After calling the players by Skype, all I had to do was to share my screen and away we went.

The roving USB webcam is being used for the picture in the bottom left of the screen shot. This was really useful to move around and show the players a tanker's eye view. Made it simple to work out if a target could be seen, was partly obscured or in full view.

Teddy bear fur makes great wheat fields. The stone walls were 3D prints using an STL file from New Zealand company Printable Scenery. The hedges were made from industrial scouring pads from a large hardware chain store. The top was rounded with scissors. Then coarse turf from Woodland Scenics was added using a can of spray glue.

The StuGs had the best of the battle early. On the German left flank they quickly put one Sherman out of action.

On their left flank the StuGs took out two of the Shermans, including the Firefly, which was their biggest threat.

At last the Allies began to hit back.

The surviving Sherman had fled the forest full of StuGs and found itself in a lovely flanking position on the Panzer IVs.

One shot later the Panzer was knocked out.

With daylight fading and morale falling, both sides retired. No doubt their reports would both claim they had won.

A fun game that ran smoothly. We were pretty pleased with our first remote game and keen for some more.