WANTED: Starter Kit Play Testers

[BattleSchool]

Hi folks:

Objective:
Create fun and instructive scenarios that will help players play better and faster. Ultimately, we want to help players get the most out of their ASL experience.

Where YOU fit in:
BattleSchool is looking for people interested in play testing "training exercises" (TX). These TX scenarios will accompany articles on various aspects of the ASL rule set.

Currently, we are testing two Starter Kit level scenarios for our Infantry fire and movement series of articles. One scenario is designed to allow players to practice Infantry fire principles, as discussed in the accompanying articles. The other scenario practices the basics of Infantry movement.

Once the SK Expansion Pack is released, we will have another scenario ready for play testing. This scenario will allow players to put into practice the material covered in a pair of articles dealing with the Rally and Rout Phases, and the Advance and Close Combat Phases. (Access to VASL and/or ownership of ASLSK3 and ASLSK EP-1 will be required to play these scenarios.)

Play testers will receive draft copies of the scenario cards and other material to assist them in the process. We ask that testers do not distribute these to persons outside their play-test group.

Minimum Requirements:
1. Play testers will be required to complete and submit a play test form electronically.
2. Ownership of any Starter Kit rule book. (The current set of scenarios do not use any rules introduced after Starter Kit 1.)
3. Access to VASL, and/or ownership of certain Starter Kits, depending upon the scenario. For example, ASLSK1 is required for one scenario, ASLSK 2 and ASLSK1, or ASLSK3, for another.
4. No play-test experience is required, but we would recommend that players play at least 10 SK scenarios before attempting to play test a BattleSchool scenario. That said, we strongly encourage new players to get involved.

Compensation:
Apart from bragging rights (and credits in the published material), play testers will receive complimentary copies of the published scenarios that they test, as well as the articles that accompany these scenarios. Especially productive testers will also receive credits redeemable at the BattleSchool KitShop. Our KitShop currently stocks the full range of Starter Kit products, as well as other ASL gear.

More information regarding BattleSchool may be obtained by emailing: battleschool@rogers.com

Thanks for your interest.

[Der Fleischer]

Count me in! When do I start?

[BattleSchool]

Thanks for the interest Paul,

Please email battleschool@rogers.com and I will forward some material, including two scenarios and the play-test report form (Adobe Reader 9.0 is recommended for the form).

Chris

[Ken Dunn]

Once the SK Expansion Pack is released, we will have another scenario ready for play testing. This scenario will allow players to put into practice the material covered in a pair of articles dealing with the Rally and Rout Phases, and the Advance and Close Combat Phases. (Access to VASL and/or ownership of ASLSK3 and ASLSK EP-1 will be required to play this scenario.)

Just out of curiosity how do you know that it is necessary to have ASLSK EP 1, an as of yet unreleased product, for your scenario? And what part of that product is needed for the scenario?

[BattleSchool]

Once the SK Expansion Pack is released, we will have another scenario ready for play testing. This scenario will allow players to put into practice the material covered in a pair of articles dealing with the Rally and Rout Phases, and the Advance and Close Combat Phases. (Access to VASL and/or ownership of ASLSK3 and ASLSK EP-1 will be required to play this scenario.)

Just out of curiosity how do you know that it is necessary to have ASLSK EP 1, an as of yet unreleased product, for your scenario? And what part of that product is needed for the scenario?

Thanks for the question Ken:

The scenario design requires two map boards (q and s) from the Expansion Pack. However, until these are released, there is little point in testing the scenario if the final configuration of the maps differs from those posted on the forums some time ago. It would also make it much easier for players to play test on VASL after the maps are available there as well. Moreover, unless the player owns ASLSK2 (or uses VASL), he or she may need the (advertised) Allied Minor counters, in addition to the maps in the Expansion Pack, to play the scenario face-to-face. The goal is to make these training scenarios compelling enough that players will want to play them as much for fun as for the training value that we hope they will provide.

[Ken Dunn]

MMP can always use playtested scenarios and articles for ASLSK such as the above for their Operations magazine. I would encourage a submittal to MMP for that purpose rather than self publishing something that is based on others efforts.

[todd.jayhawk]

Ken,
Would MMP ever consider producing an Operations Magazine Yearly special issue focused on ASLSK or all ASL articles over the past year? I'm immersing myself this year in the ASLSK system and frankly don't have a lot of time for too many other games. I'm afraid the other material would be wasted on me.

As I type this, I'm relaizing why a ridiculous question this is, buy it doesn't hurt to ask.

[kempenfelter]

MMP can always use playtested scenarios and articles for ASLSK such as the above for their Operations magazine. I would encourage a submittal to MMP for that purpose rather than self publishing something that is based on others efforts.

I am a long-time ASLer and a big Starter Kit fan. Ken, I really appreciate all your hard work and effort and I intend to purchase every SK product MMP puts out. However, I am NEVER going to buy an Operations magazine, as I have ZERO interest in other games. The suggestion todd.jayhawk makes about a "focused" special issue is a good one, but let's face it, MMP is not going to make that happen, there's too much other stuff to do. I don't think BattleSchool's intention is to poach or plagiarize.

[BattleSchool]

Just a couple of clarifications based on early feedback to this post:

First, there is no onerous play test schedule. As long as you can submit at least one play test report in a two-month period, that works for us. Moreover, only one of the players need submit a report--although there is space for a non-reporting player to offer his or her comments separately on the play test form.

Second, the training exercises are fully fleshed scenarios in their own right. Although they are designed to reinforce material covered in the accompanying articles, we want them to have maximum entertainment and replay value. In fact, the foremost requirement is that the scenario be fun to play.

And third, play testers (and proof readers) will play an important role in determining the final design of the scenario and the content of the BackGrounder article that introduces each scenario. If the majority of testers are not happy with a scenario, how can we except others to be? Besides, most of us working on BattleSchool are not regular Starter Kit players. The only way that we will be able to address the specific interests and concerns of Starter Kit players is if we hear from them. This is an opportunity for Starter Kit players to fashion SK material so that it meets their requirements: training value, reliving history, or just plain entertainment.

Thanks to those who recently expressed interest in play testing (not to mention those who took up the torch last year). Look forward to hearing from more of you.

Chris

[Eric Westfere]

Battleschool kitshop????