Maximize Graphic and Minimize Text

My second prototype (the first is best left for the junk archives pile). The goal here is to maximize the amount of visual graphic (ie a large body of formed troops), and minimize the amount of text required (while still capturing as much information as possible). As well, by going through this exercise, it is hoped we can learn what it is that might be important to put on the counter.

In an effort to potentially minimize costs - I used standard GMT counter sizes (the elephants (two to a unit) are 1" x 1", the cavalry (three to a unit) ¾" x ¾" and the infantry (four to a unit) is ½" x 1") - thus it was hoped that no new dies would be required.

Emphasize Symbolic Representation

As expected, response to these examples varied wildly. Some wanted NO information on the counters. Others felt they looked too "wargamey." CC:A should not be a poor cousin to Simple GBOH they said. CC:A is not a board game, but a miniatures game. However, there was also a lot of positive response. Encouraged, and in an effort to minimize the impact of the numbers on the counters, a number of iterations later we had this:

Note the addition of a troop class icon. This icon should match the icon on the dice required to hit this unit. Thus, if battle reports are correct, it would be Light, Medium, or Heavy. A nice intuitive feature. Adding the combat & ranges in hexes has the advantage of non-standard ranges (in M44 and BC all units lose one die per hex of range - we don’t know if this is the same for CC:A). However, it has lost the interesting mnemonic of a shape with the number of corners representing the number of battle dice to roll. We are also assuming that the number of battle dice in CC:A is NOT dependent on number of units left.

Increase Size for More Impact

But we still weren’t satisfied. Though four of these lined up in a 2.2" hex still looked great, the graphics were still subdued by the amount of information present. So, I made it bigger:

You will note that the symbols and text are the same size - thus should be just as readable - but now the graphics dominate. Most loved the look of this ‘deluxe’ infantry counter, which would be 1" x 2" (cavalry would be 1.5" x 1.5" and elephants would be 2" x 2"). But despite the WOW factor of these large counters, there were two problems:

1. New cutting die probably required + lots of cardboard = very expensive (especially at 4 to a unit).
2. It would require stacking in the hex (though they could also by mounted as stand-up counters).

Consider Additional Options to Reduce Costs

Two options were proposed.

1. Back print them with half strength units (use a graphic that shows the ranks thinning). Problem with this method - you would probably still have to stack the two units, and you could not mount them on stands.
2. Hit markers. Let me first state for the record that I am normally vehemently opposed to hit or loss markers. The mechanism strikes me as inelegant. But compare these two graphics:

They certainly fill up the 2.2" hex nicely don’t they!!!

One could even place the strength markers on the deluxe counter to make it easier to move around. Though initially the four large counters was favoured, a number of CSWers (myself included) have become enamoured with the deluxe size with markers.

Create an "Eagle" Counter

But, not one to leave well enough alone. Now we have moved almost ALL the information to the final "Eagle" counter, leaving more room for graphics on the unit counters.

Consider Backprinted Counters

After some reviewed the options presented so far, there was a call to see how backprinted counters would look like. There are two options.

1. 1" x 1" counters (which uses a normal size die)
2. 1/2" x 1" counters (which maintain that formation look)

General Summary #1

Consider Alternative Shapes

Look at Packing Counter Sheets

A standard counter sheet has up to 280 1/2" counters. That means approximately 70 square inches of counter space. CC:A is supposed to come with 3 1/2 sheets. That is 245 total square inches worth of counters in the box. Unfortunately, we are still lacking some critical information (ie how many counters/figures to a unit and how many of each type of unit - one should hope for more than one Heavy Infantry, and so on.

But, a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that 15 troop types (with 4 counters for infantry, 3 for cavalry and 1 for elephants) will take up about 100 square inches (if we assume the deluxe size counters and only ONE of each unit type). This means two things: (1) the entire army will fit; (2) but there won't be too many multiples of the same unit type.

So, though I would love to see stacks of the deluxe counters in all their glory, this indicates that one large deluxe counter with generic strength markers is probably the most efficient (economical) way to go.

This would drop the requirements for "one of each unit type" to about 42 square inches (the strength markers, about 30 of them, would take up about 8 square inches).

The strength markers do not really need to be bland generic blobs. A quarter of a sheet is enough for 16 infantry units (3 strength markers per unit) and 10 cavalry units (2 strength markers per unit). These could be colour coded for nationality. The other quarter of this sheet would be for the another nationality - and could even have different art.

Here's another out of the box idea: (1) Print the strength marker for both armies on the 1/2 sheet. (2) Then print 1 deluxe counter (per unit) on the other sheets. This would take up about 32 square inches. Fill up the rest of the sheet with additional units so that we could field 2 or 3 Heavy Infantry. Each sheet could be a different Nationality/Army.

Far Out of the Box

Now, here comes the really-out-of-the-box idea: Allow us to P500 additional deluxe counter sheets.

Net result: GMT delivers a playable product (with one deluxe stand-up/lay flat counter + markers for each unit) PLUS we have the option of ordering additional deluxe counters - and helping GMT lower their initial print costs.

Conclusion

So, where are we now? GMT has been listening, and at over 760 pre-orders CC:A has just gone to the art department. If you have comments - I’m sure they’d love to hear them. Because really, what we need to do now is start play testing these various counters. What information do we really need? How fiddly is it to flip counters over? Stack them?

Drop by the CSW folder and let us know what you think. Or if you are lucky enough to be one of the playtesters!

Thanks for listening. If you are interested, we have produced a PDF of some of these counters so that if you print them, you will get a proper scale view of what they should look like.