View source for G.E.V. (board game)

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Short description|Board wargame published in 1977}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox game
| name          = G.E.V.
| image         = File:Cover_of_GEV_boardgame.png
| caption       = Original "plastic bag" edition published by Metagaming Concepts, 1977
| publisher     = [[Metagaming Concepts]]
| date          = 1978
| genre         = [[Board wargame]]
| players       = 
| ages          =
| setup_time    = 
| playing_time  = 
| random_chance = 
| skills        = 
}}

'''''G.E.V.''''' ("Ground Effect Vehicle") is a science fiction [[board wargame]] that simulates combat in the near future between armored hovercraft, supertanks and other futuristic weaponry. 

The game was designed by American game designer [[Steve Jackson (US game designer)|Steve Jackson]] as a sequel to his ''[[Ogre (board game)|Ogre]]'' board game when he was working for [[Metagaming Concepts]]. 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 [[artificial intelligence|intelligent]] tanks), conventional tanks, infantry, and artillery. It developed as a sequel to ''Ogre'', which had already featured GEVs as a secondary vehicle. GEVs were lightly-armed [[hovercraft]] that moved more quickly than the huge, lumbering Ogres. The new game expanded the GEV gameplay and gave scenarios fitted to a high-speed vehicle. A feature of the GEV gameplay was that the original move-fire turn sequence of typical combat games became a move-fire-move sequence, with GEVs allowed a second movement phase.<ref name="WD">{{cite journal  | title=Open Box: OGRE | journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] | last=Easterbrook | first=Martin | issue=#2 | pages=12 |date=Aug–Sep 1977 | publisher=[[Games Workshop]]}}</ref> This could be used for either hit-and-run attacks with a retreat phase out of range, or a charge emphasizing a high-speed advance, even without time to adequately defend.

===Components===
The game components of the original 1977 edition published by Metagames Concepts are:<ref name=phoenix30 />
* a {{convert|12|x|14|in|abbr=on}} 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 an ''Ogre'' version:<ref name="phoenix30" />
*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 before 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.<ref name="gevreview">{{cite journal | url=http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/gev_main.asp | title=Deluxe G.E.V. (review) | last=Berke | first=Al | journal=The Wargamer | accessdate=2008-03-24 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071203235826/http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/gev_main.asp |archivedate = December 3, 2007}}</ref>

===Victory conditions===
Each scenario uses a points-based victory condition system.

==Publication history==
In 1977, Metagaming Concepts published ''Ogre'' and pioneered the [[microgame (board games)|microgame]], a small, cheap and simple solitaire or two-player game, often with a science fiction or fantasy theme. ''Ogre'' was created by Steve Jackson, who then designed a sequel, ''G.E.V.'', which was published by Metagaming as their 6th [[MicroGame]] in 1977.

When Jackson left Metagaming in 1982 over a dispute about some of his other games to found [[Steve Jackson Games]] (SJG), he took the rights to ''Ogre'' and ''G.E.V.'' with him, and immediately published new editions of both games. He followed this with a number of popular sequels, including ''Shockwave'',
''Ogre Reinforcement Pack'', and ''Ogre Battlefields''.<ref name=sim27 />

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 {{convert|4|x|7|in|abbr=on}} two-way booklet, with the rules for one game printed in one direction; the booklet was flipped over to see the other rules. 
 
==Reception==
In the inaugural issue of ''[[Ares (magazine)|Ares]]'' (March 1980), [[David J. Ritchie|David 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." Ritchie concluded by giving the game a very good rating of 8 out of 9, saying, "Possibly the best single micro game."<ref name="Ares">{{cite journal | last=Ritchie | first=David | authorlink=David J. Ritchie | title=A Galaxy of Games | journal=[[Ares (magazine)|Ares Magazine]] |  date=March 1980 | issue=1 | page=28}}</ref>

In Issue 30 of ''[[Phoenix (wargaming magazine)|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."<ref name=phoenix30>{{cite magazine | last=Stoner  | first=Michael  | date=March–April 1981 |title=G.E.V.| magazine=[[Phoenix (wargaming magazine)|Phoenix]] | issue=30 | pages=13 }}</ref>

In the 1980 book ''[[The Complete Book of Wargames]]'', game designer [[Jon Freeman (game designer)|Jon Freeman]] thought that "''GEV'' suffers from the problem of all sequels: it's hard to live up to the reputation created by the original. Since ''Ogre'' is one of the most remarkably successful games ever, ''GEV'' has a hard act to follow. It can be perhaps forgiven its small failures. As a game in its own right, it’s somewhat dull. Though the situation is hypothetical, the feel is exceptionally conventional. The battles could be lifted whole from [ [[Avalon Hill]]'s wargame] ''[[PanzerBlitz]]''. Only when Ogres are added and the situation is reduced to the uncomplicated objectives of the earlier game does it come to life." Freeman concluded by give the game an Overall Evaluation of "Good", saying, "It's a good expansion kit, but only a fair game. If you have ''Ogre'' and like it, you'll want this. If not, get ''Ogre'' first."<ref name=cbw>{{cite book| last = Freeman| first = Jon| author-link = Jon Freeman (game designer)| title = The Complete Book of Wargames| publisher = Simon & Schuster| date = 1980| location = New York| pages = 216–217}}</ref>

In Issue 27 of ''Simulacrum'', Brian Train noted, "Probably the high point of microgames. Small, fast and has a reasonable punch, just like the titular units."<ref name="sim27">{{cite magazine |last=Train|first=Brian |date=2007|title=G.E.V. |magazine=Simulacrum|issue=27|pages =43–44}}</ref>

==Reviews==
*''[[Galileo (magazine)|Galileo]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/Galileo_15_1979-11_dtsg0318/page/n89/mode/2up | title=Galileo #15 (1979 11) (Dtsg0318) }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Board game sequels]]
[[Category:Fictional armoured fighting vehicles]]
[[Category:Metagaming Concepts games]]
[[Category:Science fiction board wargames]]
[[Category:Steve Jackson (American game designer) games]]
[[Category:Steve Jackson Games games]]
[[Category:Wargames introduced in 1978]]