Thus spake HansBolter via messages:
An old wargaming buddy turned me on to this site and I got really
excited at the prospect of replaying some old classics.
I downloaded several modules and set about trying to figure out how to
play.
The one game I wanted to play most was Invasion of Malta.
The module has absolutely NO instructions on how to play.
The only instructions are how to use the Vassal engine to set up online
games.
No instructions on how to deploy units to the map, move units or attack
with units.
Nothing about how to actually play the game.
My buddy pointed out that it is a 1.0 module and first releases of
modules are often buggy or lacking in basic infrastructure.
My question is this: How can you post games for download that can’t be
played?
Note that I have never played Invasion of Malta myself, but it looks like
it’s a 1970’s-era Avalon Hill game, so I can give you some general hints
about how to use VASSAL to play the game:
There appears to be one organization chart for the Allied player where all
of the Allied units sit, awaiting setup, a similar org chart for the Axis
player, and also a Battalion Substitution chart for the Axis which looks
like it’s for handling breakdown units. (These seem to be scans, so if you
have a physical copy of the game to hand, I expect you’ll see charts which
look just like them.) These charts are available via buttons in the toolbar
at the top of the map window.
The Allied and Axis charts where all of the units are appear to be locked
by side, so that if you’ve selected a side (rather than “Solitaire Play”)
on starting a game, you’ll have access only to the setup chart for your
side. You can drag units from the setup charts to the map, just like you
would with the physical game.
There’s a button for rolling a die in the tool bar, as well as a button
for showing common charts (such as the CRT and the terrain chart), and
a button for showing a pane from which some markers you might need can
be pulled.
With that information in hand, perhaps you can tell me what you’re still
missing for being able to play?
–
J.