Wargames
Still working on my Kursk Kampaign reading. Have gotten through July 12, 1943 and am now looking at my tactical armored combat wargames like Conflict of Heroes: Storms of Steel 3rd Edition (Academy Games, Panzer (GMT Games), or Blood & Thunder (GDW) to see how they approach the the first part of the offensive and especially the signature Battle of Prokharovka.
At the same time I am exploring my newest Standard Combat Series (SCS) title from Multi-Man Publishing, Karelia ’44: The Last Campaign of the Continuation War (2011). So far it’s pretty “bog-standard” SCS with the added splash of “The Boss’s Patience” rules which vary game length. More to follow!
Boardgames
My copy of No Motherland Without from Compass Games was supposed to ship this week. I don’t have a shipping notice yet so I hope it’s on the way. It arrived! It may have spent the night out on the porch. Did I accidentally order the “Frozen Chosin” edition?
My corrected copy of Scythe Complete Rulebook (Stonemaier Games) arrived this week. The major changes were in the Automa for solo play. Using the Automa for solo play was a part of the Scythe design I have shied away from; maybe that needs to change?
Check out another episode of Mentioned in Dispatches podcast from Armchair Dragoons where we talk about dice for over an hour. Did we have a purpose for the podcast, or was this just a good ‘ole bullshat session?
Roleplaying Games
Issue #4 of Cepheus Journal is out. If there is one thing I find interesting about this issue is the range of settings that are using the Cepheus Engine rules. I mean there is everything from classic space opera to more hardish sci-fi to historical to fantasy to modern. This issue may be the best one yet showing off the versatility of Cepheus Engine.
Kickstarter
Lot’s of wargame content being offered with closing dates before the end of the month; so much so I can’t possibly back them all:
- The Pratzen: Austerlitz, 1805 – A board game of the fighting around Pratzen Heights during Napoleon’s battle at Austerlitz by Peter Perla. Canvas Temple Publishing $62 closing Feb 22. Napoleonics is not really my thing (sorry @TheGascon)
- The Doomsday Project: Episode 1 The Battle for Germany – The first in a series of interlocking games covering a World War that never was. Compass Games $79 closing Feb 22. I have the similar Mutli-Man Publishing SCS version in Iron Curtain: Central Europe 1945-1989 (2020) as well as Less Than 60 Miles (Thin Red Line Games, 2019) both of which I like so do I really need to start whole new series of games?
- Keep Up the Fire! Deluxe Edition A refreshed deluxe version of KEEP OF THE FIRE! Solitaire game by John Welch on the Boxer Rebellion 1900. Plays in 45 minutes. Old School Wargames (aka Worthington Publishing) $55-59 closing Feb 27. Not in my wheelhouse of interests (which makes me a “bad” wargamer according to @HBuchanan2 since I only engage in “my version of history”).
Pro Wargame Reading Recap
Via Micah Zenko (@MicahZenko) – New Defense Science Board report on state of US military gaming, exercises, simulations. –>”strategic gaming has become a rarely employed tool for analyzing today’s larger and longer term challenges.”
Via Major General Mick Ryan (@WarintheFuture) An awesome Friday #PME read – #Strategy, #War, and the Relevance of Carl von Clausewitz, from the Military Strategy Magazine.
Via designer Brian Train – “Commercial Wargames and Experiential Learning” by Roger Mason PhD.
Feature image from Team America: World Police
Rocky Mountain Navy Gamer 