Name: Kevin Zucker

Genius: Permutation

Bio: Additional designs, awards, past credits, recognitions or other accomplishments? with dates if possible ...

Worked at SPI off and on between 1972 and 1977, finally as Managing Editor. Designed Napoleon's Last Battles in 1975. Started OSG in 1978. Napoleon at Leipzig won a Charlie in 1979. Published several games in 1980s and 1990s.

Current job (and title): What do you do for a living?

Game Designer/Publisher

Where did you get the inspiration for the original Napoleon at Bay? And why revisit it?

I had just designed Napoleon's Last Battles and wanted a larger scale, to show how battles got set-up. I chose 1814 as the campaign "next to" Waterloo in both geography and in time. b) People still play it and there have been many changes to the system in the meantime.

What made it such a cutting edge game at the time? And what have you done to improve it?

I simply put together the latest in command - that was a clear trend. I insisted on administration and supply - two subjects rarely close to gamers' hearts - to force them to face conflicting imperatives: maneuver freely or conserve the army.

In creating Napoleon at Bay, how did your design philosophy evolve? Did something trigger the proverbial lightbulb to light up over your head during design and testing?

Clearly Napoleon - outnumbered 2 or 3 to 1 throughout the campaign, needed to reap the benefits of fighting on native soil. The light bulb came with a glimpse of "strategic consumption," the tendency of great distances to absorb manpower. Thus the Attrition Table and the effect of a lengthening LOC on the Coalition.

What do you believe was the greatest success of the original design? The most noticeable flaw?

a) The French Player has a great time losing.
b) Blücher's first turn placement, exposed at Brienne to Napoleon's descent.

What were some other influences as you developed the series?

Each campaign is unique and requires special handling. The Emperor Returns had to have one-day turns, short & simple. Generally continued to develop the leadership and administrative aspects.

How long did the new Napoleon at Bay take from inspiration to final boxed product? Did you get any faster as you continued?

I had been planning a new edition of NAB for a few years. I like revisiting the first OSG title at the rebirth of OSG. b) Yes, things get more and more exciting as there is less and less time.

When in design mode, what's your favorite snack food?

Lavash (a flat Lebanese bread) and Hummus. At the computer I guzzle water.

Do you play computer games?

No.

What type of system do you have?

A very old one.

What piece of hardware--real or imaginary--would you add to it?

Everything.

In general, do you think board wargames make the leap to computer screens effectively? Why or why not?

No. I don't know anything about computers! I have no idea if a game is feasible. I do think it would take at least a year of programming. I have these thoughts about it:

On the positive side, there's potentially lots more units to be sold than for board games. Also, computers can do limited intelligence and delayed intelligence better than paper games.

On the down side, CRT hurts my eyes, don't like the esthetic, can't get big picture by stepping back (have to scroll), don't like waiting for computers (don't mind staring at a paper map), and I want people to do their own math, calculate their own odds and know the CRT.

However, I'd be interested in a game that could overcome these shortcomings, and I guess the aide de camp module seems like an ideal compromise to me. Those are my thoughts.

How would you like to see Napoleon at Bay presented on a computer screen, if at all?

Again, see letter below. Perhaps aide de camp module.

If you were going to be represented on a computer screen by an icon, what would it be?

A planet - one very small dot of light.

Computer games are becoming an extension of Hollywood--games based on movies or movie characters. Do you believe the Hollywoodized games to be better, worse, or about equal to ones created from original material? Why?

I never watch Hollywood movies.

What was the last movie (theater) you watched? Last videotape rental?

Actually, my next tape rental is going to be 'Barry Lyndon' - best battle scenes.

Is there a movie you'd like to do a game of?

Not a movie but I'd like to do a game on music and space.

Given unlimited resources but present day technology, what game would you design and why would it be cool?

My chosen technology is paper, so I'm not held back by computer design and programming limitations. Wargames are cooler than computers, because they apply Mechanics (Physics) to History. It's a revolutionary tool.

They say everyone needs a hobby. How do you decompress outside of game designing/playing?

I've become enamored of the Finnish style of accordion playing (Maria Kalaniemi, Värttinä) so have begun to learn that instrument.

Where was the last place you visited on vacation? What's your next vacation spot?

To the Marches of Italy in August of '95. Last year did some touring on Maryland's Eastern Shore (1812 battlefields). This year, no vacation yet!

If not bound by time or space, where would you go...and why?

I would become a point of light.

Excluding your own creations, what three games (of any type) would you take with you to the proverbial desert island? What three books?

I'd take Chess of course. I don't know ...

I notice that you're writing a book on the 1807 campaign. Tell us a little about what you hope to accomplish...

There hasn't been a book on 1807 for a hundred years. To write the book for the next 100 years.

Do you think we'll ever get tired of Napoleon?

There are thousands of books on Napoleon, maybe 200 games. The question is, will Napoleon ever get tired of us?

We see the emergence of online gaming as putting the social aspect (and the smarts of a real-live opponent) into gaming on a world-wide scale. Good or bad? Why?

World-wide personal communication is very exciting and beneficial. However, FTF is still the best way to play & always will be.

Do you have a favorite poster or cartoon hanging by your desk? What is it and what makes it your favorite?

There are three things at the moment:

A quote from the I-Ching, a rubbing taken from an antique ceramic tile, and a postcard of Leonard Bernstein (New York, 1957).

What epitath would you want encoded on your digital tombstone?

Let me out of this machine!

What question did we leave out that you would like us to ask, and what's the answer?

Where did we come from, Why are we here, Where are we going?

Any last omniscient thoughts for MagWeb members?

There are no answers, only intelligent questions

Short Bio of accomplishments outside game design:

Musician. Music teacher. Some of my work has been performed.

Thank You. Folks can order Napoleon at Bay at 800 999-3222 or send email.

Kevin Zucker
Operational Studies Group
PO Box 50207
Baltimore, MD 21211
kzucker@charm.net

Napoleon at Bay, $48, 360 counters, two 22"x28" maps, 31-turn campaign game, shorter scenarios. Shipping: $5 for 2nd Day air in US. (Other: Canada: $12, Rest of world: $17)

Related

Review: 1806 boardgame (Jena-Auerstadt campaign) designed by Kevin Zucker