For someone like me who give so much to travel to past and take command of an army in battle, Time Commanders is a dream come true because it is what comes closest to it.
The series was launched in 2003 but I found until a few weeks ago and I've seen every single episode. Using the Rome: Total War, the creators of the series built a modern command center to recreate historical battles of the ancient world. Each program
play a different battle and invite 4 people, usually working groups or friends who are not familiar with video games - so you do not have a clear advantage - and 2 of them assigned to general to lead the battle and other 2 captains / lieutenants to execute the warrants.
Usually, none of the participants have the slightest idea about history or military strategy, which makes it very interesting because God commanding his troops as they suggest and often make many mistakes that cost them the battle, but fun to see the interaction between players.
It's great to see a thug General giving orders to his lieutenants, focusing on small parts of the battle and trapped in the micromanagement of the same while on the other side of the battlefield his troops are being wiped out and no one notices. Sometimes, the generals left to his lieutenants with little to do but obey commands like "move left", "back", "hold the line", "outflank", etc ... The battles usually turn into utter chaos! If it gets hot, the players start arguing with each other during battle, or simply ignore the failed lieutenants orders and fight their own battle as best as possible.
Communication is vital but sometimes it is very difficult because they are large scale battles and is very difficult to keep track of everything. Especially since most players often are not familiar with military terms and unit names as "cataphracts" or "Falange" so I simply refer to them as "horses" or "the spear" and that confuses a lot of his lieutenants, who commonly make the mistake of running different orders to which the generals were given. These
chaotic scenes are what makes the series so fun to watch lifelong friendships tested. That does not mean that the battles are not really good. One of the best battles I saw was the Battle of Gaugamela, where a team of friends for life took control of the army of Alexander the Great. They played pretty well and won a decisive victory, although there was a catch: Alexander the Great, who as always commanded his army from the front, died in battle!
Unfortunately the series is now discontinued, but made two great seasons, which can be found on YouTube, the battles are recreated as follows: First season
Season
The program was also attended by two experts in military history, usually Dr. Aryeh Nusbacher of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Dr. Adrian Goldsworth, a prolific historian and author of the University of Oxford. Both experts will give players a small review of the battle that will fight as well as information on both armies concentrating on the weaknesses and strengths of both. Afterwards retire to the top of the command center from which to watch the final battle to take his criticism and show the team and the audience as the events that really happened.
command center with large screens with aerial views of the battle as well as a general strategic map for where they can see the full-scale battle. Still, the players suffer when planning and implementing their strategies, just imagine how it would be in a real battle, where communication is almost nonexistent and the general can only see what happens in the battle zone in which it is, it's really worth admiring generals of the ancient world.
Time Commanders is undoubtedly one of my favorite shows would have been my dream come true to attend one of their programs. Unfortunately it was not be possible so I'll have to settle for my own army to command against other humans online and in the comfort of my home. I recommend watching the videos, learn a lot and if they like the story, have fun a good time.
The series was launched in 2003 but I found until a few weeks ago and I've seen every single episode. Using the Rome: Total War, the creators of the series built a modern command center to recreate historical battles of the ancient world. Each program
play a different battle and invite 4 people, usually working groups or friends who are not familiar with video games - so you do not have a clear advantage - and 2 of them assigned to general to lead the battle and other 2 captains / lieutenants to execute the warrants.
Usually, none of the participants have the slightest idea about history or military strategy, which makes it very interesting because God commanding his troops as they suggest and often make many mistakes that cost them the battle, but fun to see the interaction between players.
It's great to see a thug General giving orders to his lieutenants, focusing on small parts of the battle and trapped in the micromanagement of the same while on the other side of the battlefield his troops are being wiped out and no one notices. Sometimes, the generals left to his lieutenants with little to do but obey commands like "move left", "back", "hold the line", "outflank", etc ... The battles usually turn into utter chaos! If it gets hot, the players start arguing with each other during battle, or simply ignore the failed lieutenants orders and fight their own battle as best as possible.
Communication is vital but sometimes it is very difficult because they are large scale battles and is very difficult to keep track of everything. Especially since most players often are not familiar with military terms and unit names as "cataphracts" or "Falange" so I simply refer to them as "horses" or "the spear" and that confuses a lot of his lieutenants, who commonly make the mistake of running different orders to which the generals were given. These
chaotic scenes are what makes the series so fun to watch lifelong friendships tested. That does not mean that the battles are not really good. One of the best battles I saw was the Battle of Gaugamela, where a team of friends for life took control of the army of Alexander the Great. They played pretty well and won a decisive victory, although there was a catch: Alexander the Great, who as always commanded his army from the front, died in battle!
Unfortunately the series is now discontinued, but made two great seasons, which can be found on YouTube, the battles are recreated as follows: First season
- Trebia Battle Battle of Watling Street Battle Bibracte
- Graupius Battle of Mons Battle of Tigranocerta
- Battle of Pharsalia
- Battle of Cannae Battle of Raphia
- Battle of Kadesh
- Battle of Leuctra Battle of Adrianople Battle of Telamon
- Battle of Gaugamela Battle of Chalons
- Battle of Marathon Battle of the River
- Silario
Season
- Teutoburg Forest Battle
- Battle of Stamford Bridge Battle Hydaspes
- Cynoscephalae Battle Battle Battle of Dara
- Troy
- Battle of Hastings Battle of Sarmisegetusa
The program was also attended by two experts in military history, usually Dr. Aryeh Nusbacher of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Dr. Adrian Goldsworth, a prolific historian and author of the University of Oxford. Both experts will give players a small review of the battle that will fight as well as information on both armies concentrating on the weaknesses and strengths of both. Afterwards retire to the top of the command center from which to watch the final battle to take his criticism and show the team and the audience as the events that really happened.
command center with large screens with aerial views of the battle as well as a general strategic map for where they can see the full-scale battle. Still, the players suffer when planning and implementing their strategies, just imagine how it would be in a real battle, where communication is almost nonexistent and the general can only see what happens in the battle zone in which it is, it's really worth admiring generals of the ancient world.
Time Commanders is undoubtedly one of my favorite shows would have been my dream come true to attend one of their programs. Unfortunately it was not be possible so I'll have to settle for my own army to command against other humans online and in the comfort of my home. I recommend watching the videos, learn a lot and if they like the story, have fun a good time.
0 comments:
Post a Comment