Ace of Aces
A Reference Guide

Other Titles and Unreleased Titles

© 1998 Joseph J. Scoleri III



What about the unreleased titles in the series?

There are at least four planned or announced Ace of Aces games that were never released: Patrol, Ground Target, Ace of Aces: Two Seaters and Wingleader: Bomber. The former two titles are notorious to any Ace of Aces fan as they were trumpeted in the earliest Handy Rotary editions as "SERIES TO COME."

The description of Patrol in the original Handy Rotary book states that it will feature "some of the lesser-known planes of WWI." Although it sounds like just another set of expansion books, Dennis Greci of Nova Games related that this was to have been a campaign game in WWI "similar to what the computer WWI air games do now." However, he didn't recall the concept having been put down on paper.

Ground Target, as described in the Handy Rotary book, was to allow you to "fly two-seater missions such as bombing and ground surveillance." The series was to be accompanied by a Terrain Book. The intriguing promo goes on to state that a "pilot can chart his course to a target, attack it, photo it, strafe it, bomb it, direct artillery barrages at it or even land in a field next to it." Greci stated that there were some early prototypes of Ground Target floating around but none received serious playtesting and the system was never perfected.

Ace of Aces: Two Seaters was a preliminary design to bring WWI aircraft with tail gunners into the Ace of Aces system. Some preliminary play testing indicated the system would work fine but final development was never done. For an idea as to how the system might have worked, refer to the flexible gun for the D.H.2 in the Flying Machines edition.

Another interesting concept that is still on the "drawing board" is Wingleader: Bomber. Greci worked on this one and described it as completely developed and playtested. The game would have included a fighter book and a bomber book, scenarios, and an additional 24 aircraft cards. The bomber book featured views that included various gun stations showing when the opposing plane could be fired on. Greci stated that the game worked best when played with two or three fighters against one bomber.

Greci said that there was also discussion of a two-seater version of Wingleader. Testing showed the lone two-seater usually died. "Big surprise" noted Greci sarcastically.

Wingleader was originally announced in Space Gamer magazine as two separate sets: Spitfire vs. 109 and Corsair vs. Zero, However it was decided to release just the European Theater books with the cards for the Pacific Theater aircraft.

What other games were based on the Ace of Aces system?

Bounty Hunter: Shootout at the Saloon #008 (1982) Nova

This variation on the Ace of Aces system used illustrated game books to portray your view as you stalk an adversary in and around a small saloon. Each book featured 290 views and allowed for limited interaction with a few non-player characters. Future expansions for surrounding structures were announced but never released. An interesting extension of the concept with some problems that undermine the play value.

Dragonriders of Pern #013 (1984) Nova

This game of cooperative competition is based on the Anne McCaffrey Dragonriders of Pern series of novels. The players must fly their dragons to destroy the falling "thread" before it hits the ground. The books each have 115 illustrations done by artist Anne Starr who is renowned for his work on the Lost Worlds

Star Wars Starfighter Battle Book #40011 (1989) West End Games

Star Wars uses the standard Ace of Aces 223 view system to portray a space battle between an X-Wing and a TIE Interceptor. Added rules simulate the technology of space combat. In addition, each ship can perform maneuvers the other cannot. The game books are about twice the size of the original Ace of Aces books. Recommended for Ace of Aces enthusiasts who want a change of pace.

Tall Ships/Captains & Privateers

There was also an unreleased game of combat between sailing ships based on a variation of the Ace qf Aces system. Announced as "Tall Ships" in a Space Garner magazine preview, Greci refers to it as "Captains & Privateers." The game was playtested and finished but never went to final art production. Greci said the game used "a unique system which forced both ships to use the wind to select their maneuvers. It gave a very realistic feel for why the weather gauge was so important in naval battles of that era. It was designed to cover roughly the same era as Wooden Ships & Iron Men. Maybe someday it'll see the light of day."

What Ace of Aces related merchandise was there?

A 1985 Nova Game Designs mailing I received offers Ace of Aces t-shirts and posters The t-shirt was priced at $5.50 and is shown as having the distinctive Ace of Aces name above a rear view of a Fokker Triplane. The $2.00 poster was a 17"x22" two- color adaptation of a WWI recruiting poster showing a bald eagle knocking the crown off an Imperial bird of prey. The text on the poster reads in part: "Official Ace of Aces recruitment center, be a majestic eagle."

How scarce are the various Ace of Aces games?

I have a general aversion to rarity lists that purport to classify items in nebulous terms such as rare, very rare, extremely rare, etc, However, I have compiled the following list to serve as a rough guide in determining the relative scarcity of the various editions.

The list begins with the most difficult to find items and concludes with the most easily found items, I have omitted those items for which I am unable to give a ranking. Primary factors considered in drafting the list were: the difficulty I had in locating the edition, how often I've seen the edition offered for sale in new or used condition, and information regarding how many copies were produced.

    Gameshop edition
    Wingleader with expansion set
    Powerhouse slipcase edition
    Initial Nova edition
    Early Handy Rotary slipcase edition
    Later Handy Rotary slipcase edition
    Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition, glossy box
    Balloon Buster slipcase edition
    Flying Machines slipcase edition
    Jet Eagles
    Wingleader
    Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition, matte box
    Jet Eagles, Desert Storm edition
    Balloon Buster paper cover edition
    Flying Machines paper cover edition

Which Ace of Aces games are the most desirable?

These are what I consider to be the most desirable editions of Ace of Aces. These items are listed in no particular order and are what I would consider to be the essentials for the Ace of Aces collector and player alike.

    Powerhouse slipcase edition
    Flying Machines slipcase edition
    Balloon Buster slipcase edition
    Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition
    Wingleader with expansion set

What's next?

Although the recent re-release of vintage Nova Lost Worlds reprints by Greysea LLC may have stirred hopes of new Ace of Aces expansions, such a development does not appear to be on the horizon. Both Alfred Leonardi and Dennis Greci agreed that the costs would be prohibitive to release new Ace of Aces games done in the same manner as the original editions.

However, Greci did state that there is always the possibility that some of the expansion materials might be released as a limited edition through Greysea if there was sufficient interest. If you wish to encourage such efforts, please visit the Ace of Aces page at www.lostworlds.com and show your support.

Other Reference Sources:

(besides the games themselves)

Alfred Leonardi, Greysea LLC
Dennis J. Greci, Greysea LLC
Nova Game Designs catalog (circa 1985)
The Space Gamer issue 70 (1984) Steve Jackson Games

Joe Scoleri is a criminal defense lawyer who practices in California.

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