mirkobruner wrote: Let us know when you are done! I would like to start to understand what criteria people use to design new scenarios. It would be interesting to share this knowledge in order that ALL new games share the same methodology.
For me the process of scenario design starts with the history and a map. Knowing how the battle unfolded, and a map of positions is a great aid to designing a scenario. Not infrequently the events of the battle unfold in ways that defy the logical approach based on the map positions, and it makes sense to adjust the scenario in some ways, particularly around the Victory conditions, to motivate players towards the military goals of the day.
A lot of time there are scenario special rules that have been used before to cover certain situations;
a typical one is surprise, where a side starts with a small number of cards and draws extra in the first few turns
another is speed, where a time element is involved and the Time Pressure objective is invoke.
Breakthrough objectives, with banners for exiting the map in certain places
I think the golden rules for scenario design are;
1. Conform to the normal rules
2. Keep the special rules simple and few
3. Use Victory location objectives to mark the military objectives of the day
4. Don't straightjacket players to force play
That being said, variety matters. Having another scenario that is almost identical or similar to another isn't that exciting. Every scenario should have a signature hook.