Humbled
It appears that the article that I wrote for the Armchair Dragoons, “An Active Defense of Fifth Corps: The Soviet Breakthrough at Fulda, Central Front Series, Volume 1” is in a second round of voting for the 2020 Charles S Roberts Awards. Thanks to all who voted so far. Like I told Brant, the only way to be wrong is NOT to read all the articles.
Wargames Cross Over with Roleplaying Games
My published thoughts this last week focused on why Traveller: The Role Playing Game is the best way to “wargame” David Drake’s Hammer’s Slammers universe. Comments about how RPGs are basically skirmish wargames will be addressed in a future Wargame Wednesday.
This weekend I did a deeper comparison of Hammer’s Slammers wargames by digging into how Striker II (GDW, 1993), Dirtside II (Ground Zero Games, 1993), and Hammer’s Slammers: The Crucible (Pireme Publishing, 2010) stack up against each other. Look for these thoughts in Wargame Wednesday.
Roleplaying Games Cross Over with Wargames
I’ve been exploring Free League Publishing’s ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game this week. Thoughts coming in next week’s #RPGThursday. **Spoiler – A skirmish wargame**
Bored Enough for a Boardgame
Not really, but we finally got a boardgame to the table. On a weeknight no less. This summer I traded for Tiny Epic Kingdoms (Gamelyn Games, 2014) which is a really simple action-selection game. My Humans took on the Undead of RockyMountainNavy Jr. and the Dwarves of RockyMountainNavy T. Our first play took more than the 30 minutes advertised but was rather fun. RMN T took the win as often does by laying low and breaking away at the end. RMN Jr. gave it a thumbs up. I expect to see this one land on the table regularly as a quick weeknight after dinner adventure.
A Slow Ship From China
International shipping challenges continue to, uh, challenge the wargame/boardgame industry. Several of my Kickstarter projects updated with news this week. It’s mixed messaging.
- 1979: Revolution in Iran (Dan Bullock/Dietz Foundation). Sep/Oct 2021. Supposedly onboard a ship with imminent departure. Jim Dietz is guessing that delivery could be as early as next month.
- AuZtralia: Revenge of the Old Ones & Tazmania (Schilmil Games). Nov 2021. Looking to try and ship from the factory in November.
Rocky Mountain Navy Gamer 
On your comment that “RPGs are basically skirmish wargames”, the significant turning point in Dave Arneson’s progression from wargame to D&D runs directly through Blackmoor, via Dave Wesely’s Braunstein games: multiplayer, free kriegspiel skirmish political/wargames.
Looking forward to seeing your take on the Alien tabletop RPG.
See https://rockymountainnavy.com/2021/09/09/rpgthursday-or-a-delayed-wargame-wednesday-alien-the-roleplaying-game-freeleaguepub-2020-as-in-youre-all-gonna-die-only-question-is-how-you-check-out/
Well done RMN and fingers crossed for the next round!