Based on a proposal made to pay DG a royalty to create VASSAL modules to sell to the public, we said no due to our understanding the vast majority of VASSAL users do not want to pay for modules. We generated a series of questions based on the proposal documents aimed at clarifying whether there was any merit to pursuing a lesser version of what was proposed and posted them on the ConSim World DG topic for public discussion.

First and foremost, we appreciate the input provided on the CSW DG topic as well as the emails we received. We also observed there were as many postings on other CSW topics and on other web sites as wer posted on the DG topic in regards to this survey and the subject matter during the same period.

Second, we apologize to the non-VASSAL audience for reintroducing this topic and the response crowding out other topics for the past week. After this conclusion post, DG will not reintroduce another discussion of VASSAL on the DG topic. Further updates of what DG is doing about VASSAL will be limited to DG’s VASSAL page.

With that, here is what the DG team sees as the takeaway results of this poll and discussion.

We believe the proposal to sell VASSAL modules and pay DG a royalty was made with little information about the VASSAL community. The vast majority of the VASSAL community wants VASSAL modules to be free of charge no matter the quality of the product or the age of the original board game. Therefore, DG will not be licensing its copyrights or artwork for the creation of VASSAL modules for sale. Nothing is changing in DG’s ongoing commitment to allow the creation of VASSAL modules by individual users. DG is expanding its free download area on the DG web site to include a VASSAL section. This section will launch in June. Once launched, modules will be accepted for review and will be regularly added to the VASSAL section. DG is supporting module creation with artwork and review in four areas prioritized as follows:

a) DG Playtest support: we are completing six modules, three for the existing GOSS series (Wacht, Hurtgen, and Atlantic Wall) and the next three large DG boxed games. Play testing will expand to include VASSAL modules for Wellington’s Victory, Alamo to Appomattox, and Campaign for North Africa as those modules are completed. As additional DG boxed games come into the development pipeline, we’ll be adding VASSAL modules for them.

b) S&T Press magazine game playtest support: we are building a team of module creators who can rapidly convert provided files to modules. Speed is critical given the 18 games per year schedule and the 2-4 month window for outside testing to occur between when production quality artwork is available for a VASSAL module to be created and when artwork corrections must be finished and proceed into pre-press and printing. We’re also looking into producing modules earlier in a raw version based on the design turn-in kits so VASSAL play test time can be expanded.

c) DG “monster” games: based on the previous survey results, VASSAL players are most interested in seeing modules for games that challenge space and time limitations, i.e. those that have two or more maps and/or take longer than 8 hours to play.

d) When all three above areas are fully engaged, the other titles most frequently requested will be supported with the remaining resources available. So far, the survey results are so widely scattered across all of our one map titles that few stand out. This means we’ll look at the survey results as resources are available and identify the next most requested title. We’ll pull together artwork files and announce a module creator is needed for that particular game first to our dedicated creative group and then in our What’s New page and VASSAL updates.

If you have not already, please complete the DG VASSAL survey. This helps us identify priorities for future projects and anyone interested in helping out. We again thank everyone who provided input and ideas and appreciate the espirit de corps of the historical strategy game community as demonstrated on ConSimWorld. We look forward to talking with many of you in person at CSW Expo where we expect to announce our further plans for Strategy & Tactics Press and Decision Games.

Thanks,

doccummins@decisiongames.com