What strikes me as rather odd is why there isn't just a single game engine for all three series (ACW, EAW & Nappy) - in that way any new feature added into one series (such as weather, pioneers, indirect fire, etc) would be automatically part of the others too. Of course, if there are some elements that would be inappropriate for one or other series - eg. gunboats or cavalry charges - then these unit types just wouldn't be included in the scenario, so there's no potential drawbacks of having a single game engine.
The ACW series would certainly benefit from pioneers, weather, non-gunboat indirect fire, points for supply wagons and the option of having detachable skirmishers and cavalry squadrons. Similarly, the other two series would acquire breastworks & trenches and the EAW games would also benefit from cavalry charges & proper skirmishers (to replace the inadequate extended line formation with its flanks & rear) and the Nappy games would get a dragoon type cavalry and indirect fire for howitzers. Combining the engines would also provide an additional artillery type for all three series.
Since programming time for the various games is so precious, a single game engine would increase flexibility and permit all three series to enjoy the same new features straight away and would also reduce the amount of subsequent programming time considerably. So a single engine would benefit everyone - programmer, scenario designers & players.
Col. Rich White
3 Brig. Phantom Cav Div
III Corps ANV
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