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2300 AD Star Cruiser - Design Philosophy Done Right (Restrospective Series)
I may make this as the first of a series of "look back" articles discussing games that are not the "new hotness" or mainstream. Older titles, usually, perhaps OOP or relatively recent games which...
View ArticleGame Design #63: Detection, Blinds, Vision Range - an Unwanted Mechanic?
Three very different games (2300AD Star Cruiser, Bag the Hun, and the PC game World of Warships) have me thinking about this topic of late.The ability to effortlessly locate all enemy units in the...
View ArticleWargame Design Series - Updated Index
As the "Game Design" series has now stretched to 60+ articles, just a reminder there is a tab (named Game Design Index) on the right where you can search them all and view a summary.I make no claim to...
View ArticleAir Wargames - Activation
I dislike the "write down orders" of traditional air wargames like CY6 - so what other activation options are out there?Skimming through my rules a few days back I noticed two major trends outside the...
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Aeronef Playtest 2v2 Destroyer duel
Testing my aeronef rules (available on the google group) I have updated a few rules(a) new turning mechanic that allows hex or hexless play(b) damage rulesThe contestants were British destroyers -...
View ArticleMy Yearly Games Workshop Rant
If you're new to this blog, this is merely rehashing old news. However, if like me many readers have avoided GW stuff for years an occasional "update" might be of interest. (Actually I think it's a...
View ArticleGame Design #62: What Should the Commander Know?
Note - this applies more to historical games. Sci fi games you can do what you want - you have the magic of handwavium.I was thinking about this when playing with my aeronef game. I think it is linked...
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Pulp Jets
I'm fiddling around with house rules based on the "principles" of CY6 sans the written orders, probably with a d10 mechanic instead of the 2d6/bucket of dice used by most other aerial games.I'm going...
View ArticleBook Round Up #8: Promise of Blood + Thousand Names + Iron Elves (Flintlock...
My only previous "Flintlock Fantasy" was the rather forgettable A Darkness Forged in Fire (which had elves, dwarves etc) so it was with trepidation I dipped my toes into the waters with some more...
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The Secret World PC MMO: Pulp Gaming Inspiration
As I have been "back to work" shed time has decreased but it's still possible to snatch a bit of gaming time indoors after the munchkins are asleep.The Secret WorldMy latest game is The Secret World -...
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Relthoza, Halo and Spartan Rules Rant
While in a local hobby shop I noticed Halo: Fleet Battles - you get 50 ships for $150AUD, compared to 3 ships for $120AUD (Star Wars: Armada). It seemed quite well priced (well at least sensibly priced...
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Battlefleet Gothic Returns - as a RTS? (plus PC gaming related ranting...
I normally don't do "retweet" style posts but this looks pretty cool.You can customise crew, captain, weaponry, sub-systems - surviving ships gain experience, promotions and upgrades. SOLD! Giant...
View ArticleGame Design #64: Influences on Game Design &"Educational" Rules
"There is nothing new under the sun"- King SolomonThere is only so many ways you can move, shoot and melee, and a designer's background is often revealed in their design choices when they make their...
View ArticleThe Expanse (Leviathan Wakes) TV Series/Books - Reviewed
I've previously briefly reviewed the books, and while I really enjoyed the detective noir-meets-space opera style, quality writing, well thought out setting and characters, I was a tad unimpressed by...
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Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, a New Hope (Book Review)
We have so many attempts to "modernise" the bard's work; so why not take a contemporary work and translate it into iambic pentameter? Genius!Friends, rebels, starfighters - lend me thine ears...---RED...
View ArticleThe (s)Hit List - Episode #1
I've decided I will allow myself a regular rant post. This, I believe, can be excused as:(a) it helps others avoid repeating my mistakes(b) allows me to let off steam in a semi-constructive mannerIf...
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World of Warships - to Tier 5 and (slightly) beyond
My aim is to consolidate my stats at tier 5-6, as that is the area you start to meet experienced players regularly. I've tried most of the ships, so I'll start with a quick round-up:Tier 4...
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Coastal Forces of WW2
This has to be one of my favourite periods/genres of warfare. The German surface fleet didn't do much of note, with a few fairly futile sorties in all the war years, compared to their E-boats which...
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Wargaming - Man vs Dinosaur
In WW2, dinosaurs were prized for their ability to effortlessly wield heavy weaponry. Their vital contribution to the war effort is often glossed over by modern historians.Inspired by my daughters...
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Sticks & Stones Review (Savage Worlds Prehistoric)
I'll add this one to the Savage Worlds review series. These are quick to do as I don't need to playtest them (balance isn't so vital in a RPG and we know the base Savage Worlds mechanics work).Bear in...
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