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Time Commanders
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Message 1.Β
Posted by AberrantAristotle (U14639812) on Thursday, 7th October 2010
I wasn't entirely sure where to put this post so if it should go elsewhere please say.
But i digress, what i really want to know if there would be enough public interest to cause the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to bring back this amazingly unique series? and for those that aren't familiar with the series here is a brief summary.
Time Commanders was a series for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two that ran for two seasons from 2003 to 2005. The programmes, featured an edited version of the game engine behind the strategy game Rome: Total War to recreate famous battles of the ancient world. The battles were replayed by 4-player teams from diverse backgrounds. The teams were unfamiliar with computer games, to make sure their gaming skills do not influence their success. After a brief introduction of the battle, the players had to develop a strategy and then deploy their forces. Two of the players were selected as generals, who will direct the battle and have access to a strategic map. The other two players were designated captains. The units were indirectly controlled by the captains, who issued commands to programme assistants, who in turn used the game interface to control the units.
So tell me, should the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ bring back this series? I think so. -
Message 2
Posted by LairigGhru (U14051689) on Thursday, 7th October 2010
I remember it well. Perhaps they simply ran out of famous battles to re-enact.
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Message 3
Posted by giraffe47 (U4048491) on Friday, 8th October 2010
I seem to remember several programs of that nature. I think most of the famous battles turned out with the same result as in real life, with the notable exception of Waterloo!
Maybe a comment on Napoleon's generalship on that day? -
Message 4
Posted by TimTrack (U1730472) on Friday, 8th October 2010
There must be SOME support for it. Every few months someone comes on here asking for it to be brought back despite the fact that it has been off air for five years.
Anyhoo, I liked it. -
Message 5
Posted by White Camry (U2321601) on Friday, 8th October 2010
P'raps, instead of digitally re-enacting one day of battle, they could re-enact a whole campaign - at least from the starting point. That would considerably widen the concept of the original show by expanding the possibilities of battles.
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Message 6
Posted by TimTrack (U1730472) on Friday, 8th October 2010
Not sure that this would be terribly tele-friendly.
In any event, sometimes, the first battle determines the following campaign. It could be a little dull if one side gets eliminated in the first battle. -
Message 7
Posted by Nik (U1777139) on Friday, 8th October 2010
These simulations are really of no use since they are actually based on the political result rather than any meaningful tactical analysiss of the armies and their capacities back then. You can't mix the two unless you create a simulation that includes political considerations. If viewed merely tactically on the battlefield, the Roman army was nothing short of a disgrace - only army to have repeatedly lost more than 50,000 men in battle, and in one case from a smaller army of 40,000 from it which it was... encircled. It took 300 years, and more than 250,000 standing army as well as having 7 out of 10 as friends and allies to make their Empire which was clearly a political and not a military achievement. If they had a good military they would had done it in 10-15 years Alexander style and this is pure mathematical equation: when you have the power potential you yield it, you do not keep it for yourself.
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Message 8
Posted by Herewordless (U14549396) on Saturday, 9th October 2010
I recall that great series and miss the boundless enthusiasm of historical weapons expert Mike Loades and also Sandhurst lecturer Ariel Nushbacher (sp?).
There are still many battles for them to recreate? -
Message 9
Posted by AberrantAristotle (U14639812) on Saturday, 9th October 2010
I think there are still plenty of battles that they didn't do, considering they only had about 16 episodes. I mean, they only touched the major battles around the Roman Empire, so there should be plenty left.
I personally would like to see them do the battle of Thermopylae. -
Message 10
Posted by Sambista (U4068266) on Saturday, 9th October 2010
Why Thermopylae? Only one result possible, surely, in the end? Marathon or Plataea would be preferable.
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Message 11
Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Sunday, 10th October 2010
It's amazing that a programme that was broadcast on a Sunday evening (as far as I recall) on one of the 'less popular' channels is still so well remembered after several years.
I think they could have inproved on the original concept of the T.V. programme by bringing in real military stratagists. Each Battle situation would be based on a real historical event, though only the 'folks at home' would know which famous battle was being re-fought!
I also like the idea of an enactment of say, Operation Sealion. To be enacted using the military strength and strategy which would probably have been the most likely employed during 1940-41. Of course, using whatever 'secret documents'/information that may now be available to try to recreate the situation as likely as it would have been back then. I know that in the 70's, a group of those who were part of the original service staff of the various protagonists involved in what would have been Operation Sealion did get together and enact what would have been the most probable outcome, sadly, they didn't bother to film it!
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