The Importance of HeroScape

[Revdyer]

In 1931, the mathematician Kurt Godel proved his postulate that any system sufficiently complex to be interesting or useful cannot be proved from it’s own postulates. What that means is deep, but the light version for HeroScape is this: Any game interesting enough to keep being played will always have nuances (read “rules questions”) that have not been previously solved.

That leads me to the assertion (if not conclusion) that playing HeroScape is an art as well as a science. There is a finesse to the game. There are things (beyond the mere rolling of the dice, which, in terms of probability, can always be exactly calculated) that are always new in the game, even beyond the human dynamics.

This is not to say that the “human dynamics” are not important or interesting; they are. The psychology of HeroScape competition, like that of Chess, Bridge, or even Checkers, is in and of itself interesting. There is a life’s worth of study of opponents and their various proclivities, tendencies, and foibles. (I do love that word “foibles.” It always sounds, vaguely dirty to me.) But there is more to HeroScape than just the psychology that is so important (and central, in fact) in Rock-Paper-Scissors.

HeroScape is a “complex system.” That’s a technical term. The more interesting statement is, “HeroScape is an art.” Our game may be a complex system, a chaos system, a self-actuating system. It behaves on its own, even without the human (and very complex) input. This game plays itself!

Of course, that is not literally true. But HeroScape, because of the infinite variability of the maps, the great variety of armies (both of size and composition and other limitations, such as “one General armies” or “no range armies”), and the complexity of the rules is such a complex system that it has the characteristics of a complex, self-evolving, intelligence generating system. This is a self-interactive system and we have been sucked into it, not so much as players or controllers, but as just another game component.

This means two things: First, HeroScape will never get old. Even if new units (may heaven forbid) ceased today, the game would continue to be new and to evolve, not in it’s written rules, but in the living play of the game. And, second, HeroScape, if let loose, like an Andromeda virus, will take over the whole world. I’m waiting for that to happen. It’s going to be fun. And the game will go on and on.

Of course, I may have gotten this all wrong.

[markwars]

Originally Posted by Revdyer

This means two things: First, HeroScape will never get old. Even if new units (may heaven forbid) ceased today, the game would continue to be new and to evolve, not in it’s written rules, but in the living play of the game. And, second, HeroScape, if let loose, like an Andromeda virus, will take over the whole world. I’m waiting for that to happen. It’s going to be fun. And the game will go on and on.

Of course, I may have gotten this all wrong.

I like this world you dream of Rev. What color is the sky in that world?

[lefton4ya]

Originally Posted by Revdyer

This means two things: First, HeroScape will never get old. Even if new units (may heaven forbid) ceased today, the game would continue to be new and to evolve, not in it’s written rules, but in the living play of the game. And, second, HeroScape, if let loose, like an Andromeda virus, will take over the whole world. I’m waiting for that to happen. It’s going to be fun. And the game will go on and on.

Of course, I may have gotten this all wrong.

Sill applicable almost 4 years after the fact. Even with no new units, I imagine the metagame will evolve for at least a few years as people discover new nuances to the game.

[Grungebob]

Originally Posted by markwars

I like this world you dream of Rev. What color is the sky in that world?

Sparkly or solid blue?

[spider_poison]

Originally Posted by Grungebob

Sparkly or solid blue?

I was thinking it was clouded up in ash from Hot Lava Death. Revdyer sux!

[Taelord]

Rev. How much free time do you have?

[Revdyer]

Originally Posted by Taelord

Rev. How much free time do you have?

I'm old. I have lots of free time. Almost every Sunday afternoon free, in fact. I use it to look at the sparkley blue sky.

[King's Knight]

Originally Posted by Revdyer

This means two things: First, HeroScape will never get old. Even if new units (may heaven forbid) ceased today, the game would continue to be new and to evolve, not in it’s written rules, but in the living play of the game.

Agreed

Originally Posted by Revdyer

And, second, HeroScape, if let loose, like an Andromeda virus, will take over the whole world. I’m waiting for that to happen. It’s going to be fun. And the game will go on and on.

Can you say "Gotta catch (or at least, get) 'em all"

[Taelord]

I want as much free time as you.

[truth]

Good post Rev!

Originally Posted by Taelord

I want as much free time as you.

Taelord... shut up

[Revdyer]

Thanks, truth.

I guess what I was really trying to say is that the complexity and variety of HeroScape, with so few rules and so simple play mechanics and even with only 102 different units at this point, is simply amazing.

That last part about taking over the world was just silly...but that's me too.

Of course, I was hoping to generate some discussion about the reiterative and fractal nature of HeroScape maps, but that seems to be asking too much.

[Grungebob]

Originally Posted by Revdyer

Thanks, truth.

I guess what I was really trying to say is that the complexity and variety of HeroScape, with so few rules and so simple play mechanics and even with only 102 different units at this point, is simply amazing.

That last part about taking over the world was just silly...but that's me too.

I agree with you Rev. The game has me captivated. C'mon wave 7 SOTM and Marvel!!