Gentlemen,
Simultaneous plot and move for Civil War games would be a giant step, but a smaller step in that direction (and maybe one much easier to code) would be a <i>non-simultaneous </i>plot and move system.
The way I'd see this working is we would move, fire, and melee our units just as we do now, except that the actions we take would not be the <i>actual </i>moves but simply recording the <i>orders</i>. This would be the 'plot' phase, and the A/I would record these. When we go to the 'move' phase the orders would be carried out in the sequence we had plotted them -- as much as possible -- as if we were simply watching the 'replay' of our own turn.
Hidden enemy units would remain hidden until the execution ('move') phase. Friendly units that ran into hidden enemy units would stop and fire (possibly -- based on quality, disruption, etc.).
A melee could be ordered and more units 'ordered' to follow through the breach, but nothing would guarantee the melee would succeed. If it did not, the move orders for any units ordered through that hex would end when they ran into something (for instance, the attacking unit that failed the melee might be sitting right in the way).
This would eliminate the 'blitzkreig' tactics so disliked by many. ZOC eliminations would still be possible, but much more difficut to achieve.
An entire line of infantry could be ordered to march side-by-side through an area of forest. If some of them entered the ZOC of hidden enemy units they would stop while the remaining units of the line would proceed on their original course -- totally ruining the nice pretty battleline, which would be a very historical outcome.
I have no idea what would be involved in making this work, of course, and it may not be any easier than implementing simultaneous movement, but it just <i>seems </i>to me this would be a much simpler engine change.
Your humble servant,
Gen 'Dee Dubya' Mallory
David W. Mallory
ACW - General, 3/2/I/AotM (Club President & Cabinet Member)
CCC - Lieutenant, Georgia Volunteers, Southern Regional Department, Colonial American Army