I think that a more realistic command and control system would be great, and quite possibly more fun to play, but the technical obstacles at this point are pretty large.

The basic paradigm has long been established in a long list of Old and Honourable wargames and the concept wouldn't need too much revamp to work with the TW model. Basically, You would only be able to directly control a certain-sized section of units, and the rest would have to either be assigned to fellow generals, or left under the independent command of their captains.

Before the battle, you would give independent generals and captains certain orders and directions. During the battle, you would only be able to directly control your own section, and your subordinates would carry out your orders to the best of their ability. You would be able to send them new orders, which would take a certain amount of time to arrive, and would have a certain chance of being intercepted or lost-- depending on distance and enemy activity.

Indpendent commanders would make some effort to react to changing circumstances, with the general's ability to adapt obviously being more sophisticated than that of a lone battallion commander. There would also be a certain chance that a cowardly, incompetent, arrogant, or even a treacherous commander (especially an allied or mercenary general), would screw-up or ignore part or all of your orders.

..

To make this work, the battle sequences would have to work a bit differently. A Meeting Engagement would begin with a timed phase during which each side would observe the other marching troops into initial positions. After this phase, both sides would have the option of withdrawing to their camp.

If one side withdraws and the other does not, the side left on the field would have the option of pursuing and attacking the enemy at their camp (which might be fortified).

If neither side withdraws, both would have a period of time in which to assign battallions to generals and give initial orders, for instance-- Numidian King A, attack Roman left cavalry wing, wheel to attack rear of infantry column. Then the battle would begin.

For battles other than Meeting Engagements, things would work a bit differently. For a Camp Assault, everything would be the same except that neither side would be able to withdraw before the battle (and there would be a baggage train and/or fortifications on the field). During an Ambush, the ambusher would be able to deploy and give orders normally but without being able to see the enemy, and the ambushee would be automatically deployed in a marching column (as per RTW preview), and only be able to assign units to leaders (no initial orders).

..

The design work necessary for such a system is considerable, and the AI development mammoth. It would also be nice to have about ten times more men in each unit, and it would also be nice if we all had 7.4 terrahertz mainframe computers to play on.

All in all, a next NEXT generation concept if you ask me, but we'll see what the prog-whizzes come up with. As generations go nowadays, someone might try it in a few years.

DA