Just want to let you know about a couple of articles I published this week that may be of interest. One is Operation Phantom Fury - the Beginning of the End of Al Qaeda in Iraq, by Richard S. Lowry. Saturday will be the fifth anniversary of Phantom Fury, the second battle of Fallujah.
The other article is What Next in Afghanistan?, an analysis/debate on the best option for success in Afghanistan that my employer arranged. The authors are strategist Ralph Peters and DoD intel expert John Sutherland. We asked each of them to write their opinions separately, then sent each one the other's comments and gave them a chance to rebut. Feel free to weigh in with your own opinions.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
NASHCON 2010
It is official - the contract has been signed, and Nashcon 2010 will be held May 28 - 30 at the Franklin-Cool Springs Marriott, where it has been for the last several years. Peter is working on the HMGS Midsouth Website so that updates can be posted as we have them. Please tell every miniatures gamer you know about this.
Baxter and Al will be handing out flyers at Fall In.
Baxter and Al will be handing out flyers at Fall In.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Gunboat Diplomacy at Uncle Bob’s Backwater ~~
Gunboat Diplomacy at Uncle Bob’s Backwater ~~
By David aaaaaaarrrrgggggh Raybin
Now boys THIS was a game. Chinese pirates attacked by British gunboats in 28mm. A dozen players. A cast of thousands. The Brits were to capture or sink the pirates. Now we know why the Chinese boats were called Junks. They were shot to fish bait. But still a hell of a game. Duncan’s naval games are first-rate mate. And yes, the fellow with the silly pirate hat is me. Duncan is wearing the ball cap. Click on the PHOTOS to make a larger image Carry on !!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Campaign Gaming - thoughts
I've been involved in Campaign games since 1989. In those 20 years I've seem some that were enjoyable and many that fell apart. Lately some insight into this type of gaming has been brewing in my head. Ideas that are counter intuitive to my previous thinking.
Here are the main points I'd like to discuss:
1. An enjoyable battle is one where skill determines the outcome the most.
Thinking: I've spent the past couple of years getting involved in "points based" competition. Namely things I have avoided like the plauge for years like DBA are appealing to me more. In the past I held to strict simulations (determine how many yards to the inch, how many troops to the casting, recreate battles as closely as possible.) While that prior mentality was fun - what makes a game the most fun is a sense that, at the begining, anyone could win. This is especially so in a campaign setting.
2. Battlefield wins translate to bonuses on the larger campaign. Campaign bonuses do not translate into battle advantages (to comply with theory 1 above.)
Thinking: Balance battles are a key factor. This is counter-intuitive. Most battles in history favor one side or the other. We are playing a game though, not defending the mother/fatherland. We care more about having fun and having an ability to pull defeat from the jaws of victory with really awful play!
3. Fog of War must be artfully and carefully woven into the game.
Thinking: The players need enough information to make key decision and lack just enough to make it a gamble.
4. Campaigns must have clear win conditions for both sides. they may be different but they must exist and in a form that there is no ambiguity.
This means many things but the most important consequence is that players will be able to agree what is needed and move their forces in concert with each other. Nothing is guarenteed of course; there are still a lot of inexperience players out there. It should be the objective of the campaign to cement team members into a team that has great fusion. The best games I've ever played were like that - each of us acting like part of a larger whole.
5. Someone needs to collect the stories that come out of campaign play.
Thinking: Nothing is more important than recording everything so that in the end everyone can see the clever hidden movement, tactics, strategy, etc. I remember some of the best campaigns I was in because this was done. Create stories you and your friends will talk about for years to come.
Here are the main points I'd like to discuss:
1. An enjoyable battle is one where skill determines the outcome the most.
Thinking: I've spent the past couple of years getting involved in "points based" competition. Namely things I have avoided like the plauge for years like DBA are appealing to me more. In the past I held to strict simulations (determine how many yards to the inch, how many troops to the casting, recreate battles as closely as possible.) While that prior mentality was fun - what makes a game the most fun is a sense that, at the begining, anyone could win. This is especially so in a campaign setting.
2. Battlefield wins translate to bonuses on the larger campaign. Campaign bonuses do not translate into battle advantages (to comply with theory 1 above.)
Thinking: Balance battles are a key factor. This is counter-intuitive. Most battles in history favor one side or the other. We are playing a game though, not defending the mother/fatherland. We care more about having fun and having an ability to pull defeat from the jaws of victory with really awful play!
3. Fog of War must be artfully and carefully woven into the game.
Thinking: The players need enough information to make key decision and lack just enough to make it a gamble.
4. Campaigns must have clear win conditions for both sides. they may be different but they must exist and in a form that there is no ambiguity.
This means many things but the most important consequence is that players will be able to agree what is needed and move their forces in concert with each other. Nothing is guarenteed of course; there are still a lot of inexperience players out there. It should be the objective of the campaign to cement team members into a team that has great fusion. The best games I've ever played were like that - each of us acting like part of a larger whole.
5. Someone needs to collect the stories that come out of campaign play.
Thinking: Nothing is more important than recording everything so that in the end everyone can see the clever hidden movement, tactics, strategy, etc. I remember some of the best campaigns I was in because this was done. Create stories you and your friends will talk about for years to come.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Free PC Game - March to Baghdad
Hey, guys, just want to let you modern warfare players know ProSIM is offering a free download of their Operation Iraqi Freedom game March to Baghdad: Episode 1 - Decision at Tallil Air Base. It's a special promo they worked out with our Armchair General magazine.
Here's the link:
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/marchtobaghdad
Here's the link:
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/marchtobaghdad
Saturday, September 12, 2009
HMGS Midsouth September membership meeting
General membership meeting of HMGS Midsouth will be held 11:00 a.m., September 19 at Wargames new location, 4825 Trousdale Dr., Suite 217, Nashville, TN. Gaming to follow.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Siege of Agusta News
Mike Baker wrote to tell us about the convention known as "Siege of Augusta." He writes:
Siege XIX
www.siegeofaugusta.com
Siege of Augusta 2010 is coming.
January 22-24, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia
at the Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Sheraton)
2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta, Georgia 30909
Reservations: (706) 855-8100
We are looking for game hosts, sponsors, and volunteers. While we are billed as an historical miniatures gaming convention (being sponsored by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society-Mid South), events are not limited exclusively to historically-based games. If you want to host a role-playing, fantasy, science fiction, or other event, you are welcome to sign up and attend. The only genre that we do not host is live-action role-playing (LARP) games due to space considerations. We look forward to ALL GAMERS attending this year's Siege!
HISTORY of the SIEGE OF AUGUSTA
The Siege was the brainchild of Dr. James Birdseye. Jim decided to start the Siege because he was new to the Augusta area and wanted to meet other gamers.
The first convention was held at the Ramada Inn on Washington Road in January 1992. Because the Siege was too large for the Ramada from the get-go, Siege II was held at the Landmark Hotel on Broad Street. Although many of the "grognards" enjoyed the Landmark (could it be due to the "gamier" aspects of downtown Augusta?), that facility was soon outgrown and for the fifth installment (1996), the convention was moved to the Augusta Doubletree) where it continues for Siege XIX (2009).
Although ably assisted by various persons throughout the years, Jim was the driving force behind the planning, organizing, and running of the Siege of Augusta. Everyone, whether player, event host, dealer, or guest, owe him a great debt of gratitude for his vision and hard work to have started The Siege and in keeping it running through all of these years. Jim has now passed the baton to others to continue the convention-we hope that the seed he first planted in 1992 continues to grow. We also hope that he will enjoy attending the Siege as a player as much as he did as it's Director.
Jim's dream was realized as the convention proved to be fruitful. During the 90s, the local gamers met on a monthly basis at Augusta State University; at times there would be 30-40 gamers attending. Although the group has dissipated over the past 5-6 years, renewed interest and commitment to reform the group has begun; many of the locals are now meeting regularly at the 2 locations of the Augusta Book Exchange in Augusta GA and Common Grounds Coffee House in Barnwell, SC.
Although the convention is one of the "crown jewels" of HMGS Mid-South (a historical miniature gaming society), it has never been strictly limited to historical miniatures, but rather, the convention has been open to a multitude of gaming genres. We like it this way because regardless of whether you are pushing around an orc or a fusilier, you are a part of the miniature gaming community. +
Siege XIX
www.siegeofaugusta.com
Siege of Augusta 2010 is coming.
January 22-24, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia
at the Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Sheraton)
2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta, Georgia 30909
Reservations: (706) 855-8100
We are looking for game hosts, sponsors, and volunteers. While we are billed as an historical miniatures gaming convention (being sponsored by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society-Mid South), events are not limited exclusively to historically-based games. If you want to host a role-playing, fantasy, science fiction, or other event, you are welcome to sign up and attend. The only genre that we do not host is live-action role-playing (LARP) games due to space considerations. We look forward to ALL GAMERS attending this year's Siege!
HISTORY of the SIEGE OF AUGUSTA
The Siege was the brainchild of Dr. James Birdseye. Jim decided to start the Siege because he was new to the Augusta area and wanted to meet other gamers.
The first convention was held at the Ramada Inn on Washington Road in January 1992. Because the Siege was too large for the Ramada from the get-go, Siege II was held at the Landmark Hotel on Broad Street. Although many of the "grognards" enjoyed the Landmark (could it be due to the "gamier" aspects of downtown Augusta?), that facility was soon outgrown and for the fifth installment (1996), the convention was moved to the Augusta Doubletree) where it continues for Siege XIX (2009).
Although ably assisted by various persons throughout the years, Jim was the driving force behind the planning, organizing, and running of the Siege of Augusta. Everyone, whether player, event host, dealer, or guest, owe him a great debt of gratitude for his vision and hard work to have started The Siege and in keeping it running through all of these years. Jim has now passed the baton to others to continue the convention-we hope that the seed he first planted in 1992 continues to grow. We also hope that he will enjoy attending the Siege as a player as much as he did as it's Director.
Jim's dream was realized as the convention proved to be fruitful. During the 90s, the local gamers met on a monthly basis at Augusta State University; at times there would be 30-40 gamers attending. Although the group has dissipated over the past 5-6 years, renewed interest and commitment to reform the group has begun; many of the locals are now meeting regularly at the 2 locations of the Augusta Book Exchange in Augusta GA and Common Grounds Coffee House in Barnwell, SC.
Although the convention is one of the "crown jewels" of HMGS Mid-South (a historical miniature gaming society), it has never been strictly limited to historical miniatures, but rather, the convention has been open to a multitude of gaming genres. We like it this way because regardless of whether you are pushing around an orc or a fusilier, you are a part of the miniature gaming community. +
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