Game Design #82: The Token, Low-Effort, "Bolt On" Lite Campaign - Not worth...
I've noticed a trend in skirmish games to attempt to cater to the Necromunda/Mordhiem crowd by tacking a token "campaign-lite" section of 2-3 pages on the end. I don't think anyone has hit the mark...
View ArticleSolo Wargaming - Designing AI (SARGE)
A few years back, I was thinking about PC game AI, and how many games (without particularly complex NPCs) could be replicated in wargames. Solitaire Wargaming: Designing NPC AI #1Solitaire Wargaming:...
View ArticleGame Design Index: 2021 Update
My original "I hate current spaceship games" rant has kinda turned into a long-running saga as I explored different aspects of wargame design in a (somewhat biased) manner. An abiding interest in...
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Playtest: Delta Tango (Tank Skirmish)
Pardon the photos but I thought I'd share the results of my homebrew tank rules. I've always wanted a campaign game with a few tanks (yes, I realise there is "What a Tanker" but that's $50AUD not...
View ArticleGame Design #84: Making Wargames (Eric Farrington)
As a break from pure theory, I'd like to introduce Eric Farrington - author of Osprey's Men of Bronze and the upcoming Wars of the Republic. His interests and games are very random (from post...
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Delta Vector Spaceship Musings 2021
My original 2012 homebrew space rules (which inspired my interest in game design) were heavily played and playtested for a few months, but I gradually lost interest despite yearly attempts to revive...
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Modern Sail Combat (no, not that boring Age of Sail)
While I've played my fair share of Naval Action on PC and attempted many age of sail miniatures rules, wargaming sail combat seems stuck with ancient galleys, Napoleonics, and those Dutch wars no one...
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Intercept Vector - WIP - Pulp Jet House Rules (2021)
I've often said how discontented I am with aerial wargames. They are usually copies of 1970s boardgames, have guessing games and are universally clunky and awkward, with recording and inconsistent...
View ArticleGame Design #85: Morale Rules Suck
While changing mechanics in my 15mm space horror homebrew (think Event Horizon meets Doom) I was thinking about key design elements to emphasize. One of them was morale.Obviously a sci fi horror game...
View ArticleGame Design #86: Space Horror "The Forgotten" (Discussing Morale & Suppression)
A bit of backgroundI've often tinkered with my space horror "Forgotten" rules - basically Doom meets Event Horizon meets Mass Effect where the Biblical rapture has occurred and the earth has been...
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Hitpoints vs Wounds &"Downed" Characters
Most folk know I strongly dislike hitpoints. This is due to early exposure to Battletech and Starfleet Battles as a new wargamer. I swear I spent more time photocopying data sheets and filling in...
View ArticleGame Design #87: Design Goals, 'Key' Mechanics, and Dice Methods
Design Goals Are Important Most game designers, before they start, have a design goal in mind. It might be "make a better 40K" or "make a spaceship game without so many hitboxes." It may be to make a...
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15mm Synths & Bots
Making units for my homebrew 15mm rules has reinvigorated my 15mm collection. I've found unpainted minis that predate my 8 year old! I used to spend a lot of time with 15mm rules (namely Tomorrow's...
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15mm Landspeeders (GZG) & Rebels (Khurasan)
These aren't actually a combined force - I just happened to paint them at the same time. The landspeeders are for a high-tech desert tribe whereas the gritty rebels are a Terminator hunting force who...
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15mm Sci Fi Dog Warriors/Vargyr
I think these are old CMG Protolene Khanate. Anywhoo, found them in a box covered in 8 years of dust, so time to apply some paint!Bored with my 'çonventional camo' rebels I decided I wanted something...
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15mm Space Marines (Blue Moon)
These are have a Space Marine feel with a bit of an astronaut "Moongrunt" vibe. Thus the blue Ultramarine look mixed with the reflective gold astronaut helmets. I quite like these minis although they...
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Neo-Soviet Sci Fi 15mm Tanks, APCs and Halftracks
These were actually mostly random toys - $1ea from the junk shop - with only the half tracks as 'legit' resin wargaming pieces (Khurasan, I believe). In fact I think the tanks came from a literal bag...
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15mm Neo-Sov Mecha & Remotes (Khurasan & GZG)
This was begun, but incomplete from my last paint session and took another 30 or so to finish off. The small wheelie drones are GZG and I think the smaller mechs are Khurasan - they're certainly a...
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15mm Sci Fi Salamanders & $1Tanks
As my 15mm collection slowly becomes fully painted, I'm increasingly painting the weirder and smaller factions. These are Khurasan Meso-Nai, xenophobic salamanders in power armour. My daughter had...
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15mm Sahadeen Sci Fi Tribesmen (Rebel Minis)
This is one of the last of my 15mm armies. I only have some Shivan Witches, and the rest are small 'dozen minis or less' random purchases. After that I am switching to 28mm Mantic*; for my...
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