G.E.V. (board game)

G.E.V.

Original "plastic bag" edition published by Metagaming Concepts, 1977
Publishers	Metagaming Concepts
Publication	1978
Genres	Board wargame

G.E.V. ("Ground Effect Vehicle", also known as a hovercraft) is a science fiction board wargame designed by the American game designer Steve Jackson as a sequel to his Ogre board game, and published by Metagaming Concepts in 1978 as the eighth microgame in its MicroGame line. When Jackson left Metagaming to form his own company, he took the rights to both G.E.V. and Ogre with him, and all subsequent editions have been produced by Steve Jackson Games.

Description[]

G.E.V. is a two-player wargame set in the late 21st century that features GEVs as well as Ogres (large intelligents tanks), conventional tanks, infantry, and artillery.

Components[]

The game components of the original 1977 edition published by Metagames Concepts are:^[1]

• a 12" x 14" map, printed on glossy paper
• 135 counters representing military units and machines
• a 22-page rulebook

Scenarios[]

Four scenarios are included with the game. All have a basic version for beginning players, an advanced version, and a Ogre version:^[1]

• Breakthrough: GEVs must try to break through a strong defended point
• Raid: The sequel to "Breakthrough", as GEVs try to cause as much damage as possible beforew reinforcements can arrive.
• The Train: GEVs attack a supply train
• Ceasefire Collapse: Both sides races across a DMZ to capture as much land as possible.

Movement[]

Each piece has a movement factor which indicates the number of hexes it can move each turn, although certain types of terrain can penalize this. Most units are restricted to "move & shoot" phases each turn (move phase first, then combat phase).

Combat[]

Attacks are resolved by comparing the attacking unit's strength to the defending unit's defense strength. Rules are also provided for overrun combat, spillover fire, and cover.^[2]

Victory conditions[]

Each scenario uses a points-based victory condition system.

Publication history[]

In 1977, the American game designer Steve Jackson created Ogre, a wargame that was published by Metagaming Concepts as the first in their MicroGame line. The following year, Jackson designed G.E.V., a sequel to Ogre. When Jackson left Metagaming to found Steve Jackson Games (SJG), he took the rights to Ogre and G.E.V. with him, and published new editions of both games in 1982.

In 1990, Ogre was combined with G.E.V. as Ogre/G.E.V., a single 5 3/8" x 8 1/2" box. The rules were combined into a single 4" x 7" two-way booklet, with the rules for one game printed in one direction; the booklet was flipped over to see the other rules.

Reception[]

David Ritchie reviewed G.E.V. in Ares Magazine #1, rating it an 8 out of 9.^[3] Ritchie commented that "GEV is not as clean as Ogre, but probably has more replay value. There are some imaginative scenarios, including one involving an armored train. Possibly the best single micro game."^[3]

In Issue 30 of Phoenix, (March-April 1981), Michael Stoner thought it was a very quick-moving game, noting that in most scenarios, one player gains the upper hand within ten minutes of play. He concluded, "It is not as much of a 'fun' game as Ogre but is, rather, a realistic (and quite complex) game that tests your skill to the limit."^[1]

References[]