Gary Grigsby's Pacific War
Encyclopedia
Gary Grigsby's Pacific War is a 1992 strategy
wargame
released by Strategic Simulations, Inc.
. It covers World War II in the Pacific between the Japanese Empire and the Allies, which include the USA, the British Empire
, the Netherlands
, Australia
, New Zealand
, Canada
, the Philippines
, and China
. The main map of the game stretches from north of the Aleutians to southern New Zealand and Australia, and from the eastern coast of India to the West Coast of North America. It includes aircraft carrier
operations, amphibious assaults, surface bombardments/engagements, strategic bombing, kamikazes, and the submarine
war against naval and merchant shipping.
The most recent version, 3.2 or the "Matrix Version", is available as a freeware
download from Matrix Games
. The SSI versions are available on abandonware websites.
The game remains popular despite its age. Those who prefer more variety than available playing against the computer can easily arrange for games via e mail with human opponents by posting to the Matrix Pacific War Forum
Players exercise control at higher levels, roughly equivalent to having influence in the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters
, the UK Imperial War Cabinet
, or the US Joint Chiefs Of Staff
. Players have the ability in most cases to impose an overall strategy and require shared goals and cooperation between, as examples, the Japanese Army and Navy, UK and the US, or the US Army and USMC. This is not historical.
The game places some restrctions on imposing non-historical strategies and cooperation. The Japanese player cannot abandon China (the Imperial Japanese Army's main goal). The Allied player has land combat units that must remain in the US for its defense and (in the SSI version) land combat units that must remain in Australia. The Allied player is subject to Royal Navy ships being temporarily removed from the game as a simulation of the Royal Navy's global responsibilities. The Allied player can not accelerate the transfer of USN ships to the Pacific theater. USN ships arrive in the Pacific on the historic dattes. The ability of each side to over run China is limited.
The game runs on Preparation Points. Most events in the game consume Preparation Points. The Japanese player receives Preparation Points based on Japan's oil reserve. This means the Japanese player must capture bases with oil early in the game. While early in the game, the Japanese player has superior combat capability, the player cannot exploit this superiority without Preparation Points.
The Allied player receives Preparation Points based on the game date. Available Allied Preparation Points increase as the game progresses. The Allied player has a higher maximum number of Preparation Points per HQ than the Japanese player.
Numerous types of land combat units are represented in a range from Divisions to small construction units. Individual airgroups are present. Number of aircraft per airgroup varies depending on game version and airgroup type and nationality.
The game simulates historical command structure through use of HQs. Leaders (Admirals and Generals) are represented. Leaders can be assigned to different levels and types of command including HQ, base, and task force. Leader characteristics greatly affect the outcome of combat as players influence but don't control local decisions.
Logistic
simulation consists of generic supplies representing food, ammunition, tanks, guns, aircraft, and replacement personnel. Fuel is simulated separate from supply. Supply and fuel are important factors. Units must have supply and fuel to fight effectively. The computer automatically handles most of the transport of supplies and fuel, and the transport of oil and resources to Japan.
Players may prioritize the deliveries of the routine convoy system. Bases that are HQs receive more supplies and fuel. Additional increases occur if the HQ has a target and if the target is near the HQ base.
Players may manually create transport task forces if prioritization doesn't deliver adequate supplies or fuel. Players must manually create transport task forces to supply isolated bases. Isolated bases are those subject to attack, and the manually created task forces may be attacked by air or naval forces, in addition to submarines. Routine supply convoys are subject to attack only by submarines.
Factories produce guns, tanks, construction points (used to repair ships and activate new ones), and aircraft. Japanese factories convert oil to fuel. All is handled automatically except that players may choose to control aircraft production themselves.
Land and air units have experience ratings. Experience increases by small amounts over time, even without combat, to simulate routine training. Airgroups can be placed on intensive training. Experience rating of land units and airgroups in combat may increase or decrease depending on losses incurred.
Players may select locations for submarines themselves or allow the computer to select them. Submarine attacks are resolved by the computer, as are ASW
operations by escort vessels and aircraft patrols.
Players may elect to control some theaters while allowing the computer to control others. Two types of computer control are available. Players may give the computer total control of a theater where the computer will select a goal and act to achieve it, or players may select a goal for the theater (setting the HQ target) and allow the computer to act to accomplish the goal.
When the Japanese side is played by the computer, the computer will often elect to pursue an anti-shipping submarine campaign. Historically, Japan deployed its submarines against warships and used them for special mission, such as taking supplies to isolated bases and conducting harassment bombardments. The game does not simulate special missions.
; or by two players, either on the same computer, or by email play. A solo player can choose to play either Japan or Allies. Game balance can be adjusted to give one side or the other 'help' or 'maximum help', resulting in that side getting more replacements, improved production, and faster reinforcements. Matrix has scenarios developed specifically for play against the computer and others developed for two human players.
There are provisions for fighting shorter campaigns: the Japanese offensive period; Coral Sea
- Midway
period; Guadalcanal
; the Marianas
landings; or the Leyte Gulf
battles. Alternately, players can select the entire war from December 1941 Pearl Harbor
, or a slightly shorter version from 1942 to surrender. Matrix includes a non-historical scenario which starts after a hypothetical Japanese victory at Midway.
Matrix has additional ships and ship types. New USN carriers, cruisers, and destroyers arrive on their historical dates in the latest Matrix version, while SSI uses a formula that replaces lost ships of these types one year after they are lost. SSI prioritizes new construction based on loses, which has some historical basis.
SSI has several features that subtly help a computer opponent even when balance is set to "even". These include advantages in air combat resolution, and the ability of a computer opponent to move air groups and ships over long distance between executions. There may be other subtle undocumented help features for a computer opponent.
While Matrix states there are no of what it calls "cheats" by a computer opponent, players report the computer playing Japan receives unrealistic amounts of oil. Since a human allied player's efforts to reduce the supply of oil of the computer opponent are ineffective, this may cause the player to adopt unrealistic strategies. Matrix simulates Japan's supply of oil realistically in games involving two human players. SSI always simluates Japan's oil supply realistically.
The SSI versions give Japan a kill multiplier that takes effect January 1944. The Japanese player must maintain adequate oil and resource pools to qualify for the kill multiplier. This gives the Japanese player a slight chance of obtaining a draw and a lesser chance of obtaining a win. Either requires the Japanese player to inflict much greater than historical losses on the Allied player and to retain conquered bases well past the date when the Allies historically recovered them.
Matrix delays the kill multiplier to 1946, and the Japanese player has no chance of winning. However, manual scoring using the SSI system of kill multipliers does not increase the Japanese player's chances of a win with Matrix. Players report it is not possible to win as Japan, even against Allied AI.
The reason is Matrix increase the production and resources for both sides (Allies more than Japan) and as a result depreciated the value of kill points. Even with the multiplier available, overcomming the additional control and production points is not possible.
SSI versions have features that reduce combat effectiveness of both sides in Burma and Alaska. The features of the Matrix version further reduce combat effectiveness.
SSI initially prevents the Allied player from using Australian home defense forces for offensive purposes. The units are released for offensive purposes on historical dates. Matrix does not restrict use of these units. Some players adopt house rules requiring that these units remain in Australia with release date defined by the house rules. Both versions similarly restrict the ability of the Japanese player to remove land combat units and airgroups from China.
, produced by George MacDonald, and with game development by Joel Billings, David Landrey and James Young. Richard Dionne, Ken Hansen, and Jeremy Pritchard are credited with making the changes that resulted in the Matrix Edition.
Strategy video game
Strategy video games is a video game genre that emphasizes skillful thinking and planning to achieve victory. They emphasize strategic, tactical, and sometimes logistical challenges. Many games also offer economic challenges and exploration...
wargame
Wargame (video games)
Wargames are a subgenre of strategy video games that emphasize strategic or tactical warfare on a map, as well as historical accuracy.-History:The genre of wargame video games is derived from earlier forms of wargames...
released by Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Strategic Simulations, Inc. was a video game developer and publisher with over 100 titles to its credit since its founding in 1979. It was especially noted for its numerous wargames, its official computer game adaptations of Dungeons & Dragons, and for the groundbreaking Panzer General...
. It covers World War II in the Pacific between the Japanese Empire and the Allies, which include the USA, the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The main map of the game stretches from north of the Aleutians to southern New Zealand and Australia, and from the eastern coast of India to the West Coast of North America. It includes aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
operations, amphibious assaults, surface bombardments/engagements, strategic bombing, kamikazes, and the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
war against naval and merchant shipping.
The most recent version, 3.2 or the "Matrix Version", is available as a freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
download from Matrix Games
Matrix Games
Matrix Games is a publisher of computer games, specifically strategy games and wargames. They are based out of Staten Island, New York.Their focus is primarily but not exclusively on war games and turn-based strategy...
. The SSI versions are available on abandonware websites.
The game remains popular despite its age. Those who prefer more variety than available playing against the computer can easily arrange for games via e mail with human opponents by posting to the Matrix Pacific War Forum
Game Concepts
The role of the player is that of high level command. Players decide what will be attacked or defended, appoint commanders, and provide the resources (aircraft, ships, and land combat units) to accomplish the goals. The lowest level of player control is roughly equivalent to that of a theater commander. Details of combat depend on commanders appointed by the player.Players exercise control at higher levels, roughly equivalent to having influence in the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters
Imperial General Headquarters
The as part of the Supreme War Council was established in 1893 to coordinate efforts between the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy during wartime...
, the UK Imperial War Cabinet
Imperial War Cabinet
The Imperial War Cabinet was created by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George in the spring of 1917 as a means of co-ordinating the British Empire's military policy during the First World War...
, or the US Joint Chiefs Of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
. Players have the ability in most cases to impose an overall strategy and require shared goals and cooperation between, as examples, the Japanese Army and Navy, UK and the US, or the US Army and USMC. This is not historical.
The game places some restrctions on imposing non-historical strategies and cooperation. The Japanese player cannot abandon China (the Imperial Japanese Army's main goal). The Allied player has land combat units that must remain in the US for its defense and (in the SSI version) land combat units that must remain in Australia. The Allied player is subject to Royal Navy ships being temporarily removed from the game as a simulation of the Royal Navy's global responsibilities. The Allied player can not accelerate the transfer of USN ships to the Pacific theater. USN ships arrive in the Pacific on the historic dattes. The ability of each side to over run China is limited.
The game runs on Preparation Points. Most events in the game consume Preparation Points. The Japanese player receives Preparation Points based on Japan's oil reserve. This means the Japanese player must capture bases with oil early in the game. While early in the game, the Japanese player has superior combat capability, the player cannot exploit this superiority without Preparation Points.
The Allied player receives Preparation Points based on the game date. Available Allied Preparation Points increase as the game progresses. The Allied player has a higher maximum number of Preparation Points per HQ than the Japanese player.
Features
The game uses an approximation map of the overall Pacific theater with each hex representing 100 miles. Bases are the focal point of action. Combat ships, light cruiser and larger, except for some escort carriers, are represented individually. Smaller combat ships such as destroyers, some escort carriers, and transport type ships are usually represented as groups of ships identified by class rather than actual ship names.Numerous types of land combat units are represented in a range from Divisions to small construction units. Individual airgroups are present. Number of aircraft per airgroup varies depending on game version and airgroup type and nationality.
The game simulates historical command structure through use of HQs. Leaders (Admirals and Generals) are represented. Leaders can be assigned to different levels and types of command including HQ, base, and task force. Leader characteristics greatly affect the outcome of combat as players influence but don't control local decisions.
Logistic
Logistic
Logistic may refer to:* Logistics, the management of resources and their distributions** Logistic engineering, the scientific study of logistics** Military logistics, the study of logistics at the service of military units and operations...
simulation consists of generic supplies representing food, ammunition, tanks, guns, aircraft, and replacement personnel. Fuel is simulated separate from supply. Supply and fuel are important factors. Units must have supply and fuel to fight effectively. The computer automatically handles most of the transport of supplies and fuel, and the transport of oil and resources to Japan.
Players may prioritize the deliveries of the routine convoy system. Bases that are HQs receive more supplies and fuel. Additional increases occur if the HQ has a target and if the target is near the HQ base.
Players may manually create transport task forces if prioritization doesn't deliver adequate supplies or fuel. Players must manually create transport task forces to supply isolated bases. Isolated bases are those subject to attack, and the manually created task forces may be attacked by air or naval forces, in addition to submarines. Routine supply convoys are subject to attack only by submarines.
Factories produce guns, tanks, construction points (used to repair ships and activate new ones), and aircraft. Japanese factories convert oil to fuel. All is handled automatically except that players may choose to control aircraft production themselves.
Land and air units have experience ratings. Experience increases by small amounts over time, even without combat, to simulate routine training. Airgroups can be placed on intensive training. Experience rating of land units and airgroups in combat may increase or decrease depending on losses incurred.
Players may select locations for submarines themselves or allow the computer to select them. Submarine attacks are resolved by the computer, as are ASW
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
operations by escort vessels and aircraft patrols.
Players may elect to control some theaters while allowing the computer to control others. Two types of computer control are available. Players may give the computer total control of a theater where the computer will select a goal and act to achieve it, or players may select a goal for the theater (setting the HQ target) and allow the computer to act to accomplish the goal.
When the Japanese side is played by the computer, the computer will often elect to pursue an anti-shipping submarine campaign. Historically, Japan deployed its submarines against warships and used them for special mission, such as taking supplies to isolated bases and conducting harassment bombardments. The game does not simulate special missions.
Scenarios
The game is a turn-based setup, each turn covering one week. It can be played as a solo player against the AIAi
AI, A.I., Ai, or ai may refer to:- Computers :* Artificial intelligence, a branch of computer science* Ad impression, in online advertising* .ai, the ISO Internet 2-letter country code for Anguilla...
; or by two players, either on the same computer, or by email play. A solo player can choose to play either Japan or Allies. Game balance can be adjusted to give one side or the other 'help' or 'maximum help', resulting in that side getting more replacements, improved production, and faster reinforcements. Matrix has scenarios developed specifically for play against the computer and others developed for two human players.
There are provisions for fighting shorter campaigns: the Japanese offensive period; Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
- Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
period; Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal campaign
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
; the Marianas
Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
The Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, also known as Operation Forager, was an offensive launched by United States forces against Imperial Japanese forces in the Mariana Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean between June and November, 1944 during the Pacific War...
landings; or the Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
battles. Alternately, players can select the entire war from December 1941 Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, or a slightly shorter version from 1942 to surrender. Matrix includes a non-historical scenario which starts after a hypothetical Japanese victory at Midway.
Matrix Changes
There are many differences between SSI versions and the last Matrix version. Matrix expands the aircraft rating range so there is a greater difference between aircraft. The aircraft selection is different. Overall, simulation of aircraft performance may be more accurate.Matrix has additional ships and ship types. New USN carriers, cruisers, and destroyers arrive on their historical dates in the latest Matrix version, while SSI uses a formula that replaces lost ships of these types one year after they are lost. SSI prioritizes new construction based on loses, which has some historical basis.
SSI has several features that subtly help a computer opponent even when balance is set to "even". These include advantages in air combat resolution, and the ability of a computer opponent to move air groups and ships over long distance between executions. There may be other subtle undocumented help features for a computer opponent.
While Matrix states there are no of what it calls "cheats" by a computer opponent, players report the computer playing Japan receives unrealistic amounts of oil. Since a human allied player's efforts to reduce the supply of oil of the computer opponent are ineffective, this may cause the player to adopt unrealistic strategies. Matrix simulates Japan's supply of oil realistically in games involving two human players. SSI always simluates Japan's oil supply realistically.
The SSI versions give Japan a kill multiplier that takes effect January 1944. The Japanese player must maintain adequate oil and resource pools to qualify for the kill multiplier. This gives the Japanese player a slight chance of obtaining a draw and a lesser chance of obtaining a win. Either requires the Japanese player to inflict much greater than historical losses on the Allied player and to retain conquered bases well past the date when the Allies historically recovered them.
Matrix delays the kill multiplier to 1946, and the Japanese player has no chance of winning. However, manual scoring using the SSI system of kill multipliers does not increase the Japanese player's chances of a win with Matrix. Players report it is not possible to win as Japan, even against Allied AI.
The reason is Matrix increase the production and resources for both sides (Allies more than Japan) and as a result depreciated the value of kill points. Even with the multiplier available, overcomming the additional control and production points is not possible.
SSI versions have features that reduce combat effectiveness of both sides in Burma and Alaska. The features of the Matrix version further reduce combat effectiveness.
SSI initially prevents the Allied player from using Australian home defense forces for offensive purposes. The units are released for offensive purposes on historical dates. Matrix does not restrict use of these units. Some players adopt house rules requiring that these units remain in Australia with release date defined by the house rules. Both versions similarly restrict the ability of the Japanese player to remove land combat units and airgroups from China.
History
The game was originally designed and programmed by Gary GrigsbyGary Grigsby
Gary Grigsby is a computer wargame designer and programmer.-Career:Grigsby's games were published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. from his first game design in 1982 until 1997. During that time he created several titles that are considered classics of the wargame genre, including Kampfgruppe,...
, produced by George MacDonald, and with game development by Joel Billings, David Landrey and James Young. Richard Dionne, Ken Hansen, and Jeremy Pritchard are credited with making the changes that resulted in the Matrix Edition.