A&A: 1942 Edition

On a related note. Now that I received my AA50… IT is my friend’s birthday soon and I wanted to buy him an AA game. Problem is the following :
I already bought a Revised edition for another friend.
Some weeks after, I bought the Anniversary edition (at the time I bought the revised, I wasn’t aware of AA50. I feel kind of cheap because I bought him a version of the game that he will not likely play :S)

Any other good AA to buy? Europe, DDay, Pacific…

maybe I should just look for books :P

Robert

@Subotai:

New info released:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/spring1942

Axis & Allies 1942, designed and developed by Larry Harris, will utilize the updated rules established in A&A Anniversary Edition. Cruiser class ships will make their debut in A&A 1942, forever changing the naval line-up. Newly sculpted playing pieces and all new packaging will position this game as the cornerstone of the Axis & Allies game line for years to come.

* Rulebook updated by Larry Harris, creator of the Axis & Allies game system
    * Packaging, play components, and game board map feature updated art
    * 370 game pieces featuring refreshed sculpts plus new models for cruisers
    * Updated naval unit rules as debuted in Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition

–-------------------------------------------------

This means that the AA42 map will be the same as today, except different colors and drawing? Not new territories?
Rules will be the same as AA50, with exception of the NOs? And same or old tech rules?

Unit costs, SBR, naval rules are sure enough, but how about NOs in AA42? Imo it could be interesting if it’s implemented. And this means that tech is optional in AA42.
Also, the 2 new optional rules which was added after AA50 was released will probably be optional rules in AA42.
I think Revised (AA42) can be fun even if AA50 is still teh real deal.

WOW they actually released some info.  Looks like they will be suckering my money away  :-(

Well thats something… You are a hero of sorts to have gotten them to move off their butts like you did.

+Karma

Well, the “in a few short hours” looks like a signal for a simpler game than AA50. So I don’t expect China, Italy, optional rules, NOs or a 12 tech tree, rather an upgraded Revised with the much-improved rules of AA50, cruisers, a balanced set-up and a 6-tech tree, maybe even without “researchers”. So they think of AA50 as the serious wargame and AA42 as “gamers light”, that explains the release. I do hope they will be rereleasing AA50 later though!

If the units/sculpts end up being nicer than AA:50’s.  I’m going to be very upset.    :x :cry:

Why does anyone care about this game if you already have AA50 ? How many people played classic after revised came out? I’m not sure I understand what all the fuss is about.

@Battlingmaxo:

Why does anyone care about this game if you already have AA50 ? How many people played classic after revised came out? I’m not sure I understand what all the fuss is about.

Well for me, the only thing I was very disappointed with in AA:50 were the unit sculpts.

I felt that for a 100 dollar deluxe edition of A&A the unit sculpts should have been nicer.

So the main fuss for me would be if this game has nicer units.

i’m rather amazed myself and pleased that they gave us something at least.

on the other hand, they still haven’t directly responded to my (our) reply…

@Battlingmaxo:

Why does anyone care about this game if you already have AA50 ? How many people played classic after revised came out? I’m not sure I understand what all the fuss is about.

I still play Classic, all the games play out quite differently.  Go to the classic forum, you’ll see the interest is still there by some.

I didn’t get into AA until Revised was out, eventually I’d like to see what Classic was like.  Only heard stories from a friend about what it was like.

old man sitting around the fire - “once upon a time axis and allies original was played, and there was no revised rules for transports and submarines, and russia used to stand a chance”

:-D

for the price of 35.00 I doubt that the units/sculpts will be any different. I have everything but revised and D day and don’t see any significant differences in quality in the units from those games.

I doubt that the units/sculpts will be any different

Its been confirmed that they are new, but yes they may be the same unit used ( e.g. Americans have a new version of the Sherman as the replacement tank… it will have more detail and look better)  Of course the artillery will all be different and pieces include new infantry sculpts as well.

So the new sculpts are the only reason that makes the 1942 Edition worth buying for someone who already owns AA50?

I’m asking because AA50 is my first and one and only AA-game I ever owned and played.
Considering the fact that there is a 1942 scenario, Italy as 6th playable nation, improved rules, new units etc. in AA50, what could make the 1942 Edition interesting for me (as AA Newbie)… ?

Or is the 1942 Edition interesting for “revised-enthusiasts” only who can’t wait for an improved update?

What do you think?

well concepts from AA50 seem to make their way to this game, so what you got is evolution of the game taking the best ideas from different AA games. But the map and set up would be different because cruisers now make their appearance.

But for $25 bucks you got a new set of pieces for 5 nations and that is what you will use for AA50…basically swapping the pieces. I think Larry finally got the message from the piece junkies who wanted new pieces.

I belive that when this game is released in august, it will be our greatest hour.

Yes, I will defenitely purchase it.

I love my A&A 50 Ann edition, as a luxery game for special ocations with adults only.

This new game will be what we play everyday. Got some spare time a monday evening, well pull out the 1942 editon and play a shorty with the kids.

We need both editions.

If you dont need it, dont buy it.

@Craig:

@Imperious:

I doubt that the units/sculpts will be any different

Its been confirmed that they are new, but yes they may be the same unit used ( e.g. Americans have a new version of the Sherman as the replacement tank… it will have more detail and look better)  Of course the artillery will all be different and pieces include new infantry sculpts as well.

Please show us specific info to verify your statements.

Where is it stated that they are going to produce new sculpts for the pieces in this version? …

I am not saying that they aren’t going to change some of the plastic parts, I am just saying that it is highly unlikely that they are going to do this, based solely on their previous track record.  Until I see something to the contrary, I am not going to put any hope into the idea that they would fix this issue.

Craig

I have to think this as well.

There are any number of changes they could introduce but ‘new’ sculpts (beyond what was introduced in AAAniv) seem likely to be pretty far down the list.

It seems likely there are two motivations for this release on WOTC/Hasbro/AH part:

1. Sell the hard core yet another A&A set.

2. Get something at the Revised price point and niche out on the shelves having likely sold through (?) all the Revised production run.

Update

Well it looks like IL might be  on the mark according to the product page at AH.

Axis & Allies: Spring 1942 details:

Rulebook updated by Larry Harris, creator of the Axis & Allies game system

Packaging, play components, and game board map feature updated art

370 game pieces featuring refreshed sculpts plus new models for cruisers

Updated naval unit rules as debuted in Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition

@Craig:

“Refreshed” is still too vague for my tastes.

Good point. ‘Refreshed’ might simply mean they found a way to make them with less plastic.

@Subotai:

This means that the AA42 map will be the same as today, except different colors and drawing? Not new territories?
Rules will be the same as AA50, with exception of the NOs? And same or old tech rules?

Unit costs, SBR, naval rules are sure enough, but how about NOs in AA42? Imo it could be interesting if it’s implemented. And this means that tech is optional in AA42.
Also, the 2 new optional rules which was added after AA50 was released will probably be optional rules in AA42.
I think Revised (AA42) can be fun even if AA50 is still teh real deal.

Then why buy it if you have revised and the anniversary edition???

You have the map (revised). You have the units. You have the rules. All you need for the game.

If this is “revised + cruiser unit + rules” its a waste of your money.

It could be different…but somehow I’m doubting it given the history of AH/WOTC…