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| NEW Interview with Spring 1942 Leader | |
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September 24, 1999
On September 24th, following up on an interview we held last year, we spoke to
Game_General
, organizer of the popular independent ladder club Spring 1942. The General had some interesting things to say about improvements to their site, new trends in the game, and the Iron Blitz add-on pack.
Internet Gaming Zone> So since the last interview, there have been some changes to Spring '42. Care to summarize them?
*Game_General> Yes, first off, Allied_Cmdr has retired, and I have assumed control of it, along with a core of Joint Chiefs. We have also added several new features, such as improved database, medals database, and Divisional Play. Internet Gaming Zone> Are all these features explained on the Web site? *Game_General> Yes, each different aspect of the club is available from the Web site. Divisional Play is organized team play (in other areas they are known as clans), but they are within Spring 1942's umbrella. The Medals database tracks awards each player earns as he progresses through the ranks. [Ed. Note: This is different from awards individuals may earn through Zone-sponsored tournaments. Those awards will appear directly in your Profile.] Internet Gaming Zone> Are all the rankings automated now? *Game_General> The ladder database automatically tracks your rating based on a chess type rating system and additionally automatically assigns you a military rank based on the rating and number of games played. Internet Gaming Zone> Great. Where did you get the tool? *Game_General> We had it professionally designed. Internet Gaming Zone> Did that cost much? *Game_General> It was felt to be necessary to adequately accommodate Zoners, and has cost, up to now, about $500 total. The funds were donated. Spring supports no advertisers, so I keep that info public. Internet Gaming Zone> Who makes up your staff? *Game_General> The Joint Chiefs are BannSidhe, Tazco98, GenPage1, Primary_User, Feanor1942, Fried_egg, Badfrog1, Ris_Dnalor, Pendelton. Internet Gaming Zone> We notice you run endorsed tourneys now. *Game_General> Yes I am a Zone-endorsed Host, under the name %Game_General_. I have nearly completed ZSU and will soon be a Sysop. Internet Gaming Zone> Does Spring 1942 use the new Zone Profiles? *Game_General> We're listed under the Teams in profiles and also the individual divisions list themselves using profiles, at their own discretion. Internet Gaming Zone> Okay, so how many people are in the ladder now? *Game_General> We have over 3,800 members registered. Over 100 games are played and logged a day. Internet Gaming Zone> How do you post a challenge, register a match, and report a win? Has the procedure changed? *Game_General> Spring 1942 members meet usually in the Ladder Room and announce their rates and match up. Not much has changed in that regard. The matches are posted on a standard message board. Both players post the match prior to Game Start. The winner of the match reports the match to the Database using their individual log-in. Internet Gaming Zone> How has the system performed? Have you had any kinks to work out? *Game_General> Actually, it has been a very trying system and many kinks have had to be worked out. The only way to truly test these types of things is to go live with it. Kinks are still being worked out. Internet Gaming Zone> What kind of problems are you having currently? *Game_General> Right now the only problem we are having is errors received when a win is posted. It's working pretty well at this time. Internet Gaming Zone> What do people think of the database tools? *Game_General> We receive great feedback. I think that people truly do enjoy the features of Spring 1942. Additionally, we insist on adhering to the Zone's Code of Conduct and that keeps the Ladder Room a friendly place most of the time. Internet Gaming Zone> Have you noticed members' playing styles change at all since you started Spring 1942 -- that is, within the last year or so? *Game_General> Yes, for those familiar with Axis and Allies at the top levels of play -- using Standard 3rd Edition rules as we do in 1 vs. 1 play -- the bids (extra IPC to the Axis player) have risen from 12-14 to now 17-19 and even 20-23. This is a tribute to the quality of Players in Spring 1942. Internet Gaming Zone> So players have gotten a lot better at playing the Allies. How do you account for this? *Game_General> We offer a strategy section in Spring 1942 called the GOA Corner. Each General of the Army (#1 ranked player of Spring 1942) is invited to submit a strategy to be posted there. This has increased the skill of the whole membership. Internet Gaming Zone> How do you plan to accommodate the new Iron Blitz Expansion? *Game_General> I'm creating a separate ladder. I'm thinking of letting the IB ladder go all out with the rules, no special policies -- let 'em do whatever. I strictly regulate the matches for the regular game. The IB ladder will have a separate database and separate stats for all players, to maintain the integrity of the existing ladder. Internet Gaming Zone> Any other comments? *Game_General> In closing, I would like to say that I enjoy and am even honored to work within the Zone community as I do. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of Spring 1942 all strive to provide to the Zone's Axis and Allies Community the best possible organization with the most advanced database, offering as many Services and Tournaments as possible against the widest range of competition, from Private (rookie) to the General of the Army (master). Spring 1942 will continue to grow with Axis and Allies and the Zone! |
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