Some of you might have noticed that I have not mentioned my PORTABLE WARGAME rules very much in recent blog entries, and may be wondering why that is. The answer is quite simple ... I am unhappy with the current draft I have been working on; therefore further development is 'stalled' at the present, and will remain so until I decide what to do next.
I did some developmental work on the rules whilst I was on my cruise, and I was very happy with the progress that I had made ... but when I reread the draft yesterday morning I realised that what I had actually written was more complex than I had intended it to be. I had wanted to simplify the rules; instead they were in danger of turning into an over-engineered monster.
So what to do? In the old days I would have gone at the problem like a bull at a gate ... and probably ended up wasting a lot of time, effort, and enthusiasm. On this occasion I am going to do nothing. I am going to ignore the draft for a day or two and give the problem what I have termed in the past some 'think time'. This allows me to clear my mind and to approach a problem with a new and clearer perspective. I know that this has worked in the past, and I am sure that it will work this time ... and if it doesn't ... well the previous draft of the rules worked quite well and I can still carry on using them 'as is'.
Problem not quite solved ... but anxiety level reduced!
I did some developmental work on the rules whilst I was on my cruise, and I was very happy with the progress that I had made ... but when I reread the draft yesterday morning I realised that what I had actually written was more complex than I had intended it to be. I had wanted to simplify the rules; instead they were in danger of turning into an over-engineered monster.
So what to do? In the old days I would have gone at the problem like a bull at a gate ... and probably ended up wasting a lot of time, effort, and enthusiasm. On this occasion I am going to do nothing. I am going to ignore the draft for a day or two and give the problem what I have termed in the past some 'think time'. This allows me to clear my mind and to approach a problem with a new and clearer perspective. I know that this has worked in the past, and I am sure that it will work this time ... and if it doesn't ... well the previous draft of the rules worked quite well and I can still carry on using them 'as is'.
Problem not quite solved ... but anxiety level reduced!
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A leaky roof needs fixing soonest but a set of rules is often best sat on.
ReplyDeleteWhen I find myself getting too far off track, I find there is nothing like setting out some figures and rolling a few dice to clarify things.
If only simple was as easy to write as complex.
Ross Mac,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct ... and I hope to begin the process of pushing some figures around and rolling some dice very soon indeed!
As you say, complex wargames rules are much easier to write than simple ones ... but only someone who has tried to do the latter would understand that!
All the best,
Bob