The Inside Scoop on Gaming

If you have been separated from your old gaming pals and have considered playing by e-mail, then this is a product I strongly suggest that you look at. V_Map is a FREE computer program that allows you to move counters around on a map for PBEM games. You can use the counter sets and maps available at the web site or you can use the blank templates and the Paint program that comes with Windows to make your own maps and counters.

If you've been afraid that PBEM might be too much "RP" and not enough "G" then V_Map is the product that will gove you the tools to clearly show players position, layout and turn-by-turn action.

A caution, this product is of course mainly designed for board games and so the counter sets available reflect this, but it truthfully isn't that hard to make your own counters (and dammit Jim I'm a Latin teacher not a graphic artist). So don't be put off if you're war-game-a-phobic (my old Greek professor spins in his grave)this program is a useful RPG tool. It is especially useful for Science fiction games, such as Traveller, Alternity (I guess) and Star Wars, since spaceship and planet sets are included among the counters issued and ground combat in these sorts of games has a modern feel that makes many of the wargame maps immediately useful.

Finally, you could probably use this product with your printer to produce hex-maps for your regualr Face to Face games as well as PBEM. I haven't tried it yet, but I don't see why you couldn't. In any case try this program out, it's useful and you can't beat the price. I included the website under "publisher" above.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

V_Map
Author: Todd A. Zircher Category: software Company/Publisher: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/6599/v_map.html Cost: Free Page count: n/a Capsule Review by David L. Nelson on 01/17/99. Genre tags: Science_fiction Modern_day Historical Space Generic	If you have been separated from your old gaming pals and have considered playing by e-mail, then this is a product I strongly suggest that you look at. V_Map is a FREE computer program that allows you to move counters around on a map for PBEM games. You can use the counter sets and maps available at the web site or you can use the blank templates and the Paint program that comes with Windows to make your own maps and counters. If you've been afraid that PBEM might be too much "RP" and not enough "G" then V_Map is the product that will gove you the tools to clearly show players position, layout and turn-by-turn action. A caution, this product is of course mainly designed for board games and so the counter sets available reflect this, but it truthfully isn't that hard to make your own counters (and dammit Jim I'm a Latin teacher not a graphic artist). So don't be put off if you're war-game-a-phobic (my old Greek professor spins in his grave)this program is a useful RPG tool. It is especially useful for Science fiction games, such as Traveller, Alternity (I guess) and Star Wars, since spaceship and planet sets are included among the counters issued and ground combat in these sorts of games has a modern feel that makes many of the wargame maps immediately useful. Finally, you could probably use this product with your printer to produce hex-maps for your regualr Face to Face games as well as PBEM. I haven't tried it yet, but I don't see why you couldn't. In any case try this program out, it's useful and you can't beat the price. I included the website under "publisher" above. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)