Now that we’re into the second half of playtesting, here are some ongoing impressions and comments. Some thoughts on ARC from a playtester: To answer the most pressing question: yes, I like the game very much and am already looking forward to the physical version. In the first five turns of my latest scenario, I’ve […]
ARC – The Underworld Playtest Report #2 Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Playtest Reports
Introduction Scenario design is often an assumed or lesser recognized element of game design. I often use the opening scenario set up to cause players to behave more historically without any special rules. This usually results in someone telling me that they found a trick that was not seen during playtesting. Back when we used
Army of the Potomac: Fair Oaks/ Seven Pines’ the McClellan Gambit Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Scenarios/Variants
What is this new system? Until recently, most traditional wargames have focused on external conflict. The players represent unitary actors—typically national governments, militaries, or non-state bodies—that attempt to defeat each other in combat, typically by seizing territory or attriting enemy forces. Player actions are limited primarily by their own military capabilities. However, as Carl Von
Chalice of Poison: Introduction to a New Game System Read Post »
Designer Blogs
Introduction: Around noon on April 7, after a beating taken at the hands of the Confederacy all morning, William T. Sherman and John McClernand initiated the first significant Union counteroffensive of the day. The battle line was irregular and the units were badly mixed, but 13 regiments of 3 divisions advanced and caught the Confederates
According to the mythic account recounted by the Samguk yusa, written in 1281, the Gojosen Kingdom was founded in northern Korea and southern Manchuria in 2333BC. The Jin State was formed in southern Korea by the 3rd century BC. In the late 2nd century BC, Gojoseon, after a protracted war, fell to the mighty Han Dynasty of
Meet Korea: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia Read Post »
Designer Blogs
As with its predecessors (Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea, GMT Games – Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea and Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East, GMT Games – Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East, or ASIS and ACME, respectively), the cards of Ancient Civilizations of East Asia, known as “Karma Cards”, quite literally “rule”
Historical Background The Vietnam War was a long and complex conflict—far too sprawling to model in full within a lane battler board game. Iron Triangle therefore narrows its focus to the struggle between U.S. and Viet Cong (VC) forces during the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) driven search and destroy campaigns in III Corps Tactical
Iron Triangle #1: General Overview Read Post »
Designer Blogs
As most of you know, this year’s RevCon was a special one. We simultaneously celebrated our 20th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence by not only enjoying a week of competitive Rev War gaming, but also an agenda complete with special events to mark the occasion. This year there were 22 unique BoAR
RevCon 2026: After Action Report Read Post »
After Action Report, Designer Blogs
By Mark McLaughlin & Fred Schachter The Han Dynasty ruled during what is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Ancient China. Building upon a base set by the relatively short-lived Qin*, the Han created a Confucian bureaucratic edifice based on merit which gave China its first truly effective centralized government. Han emperors are
Meet The Han: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia Read Post »
Designer Blogs
This article continues the case study of the Battle of Issus started in the InsideGMT article Great Battles of Alexander: The Battle of Issus picking up the action with Game Turn 4. The Macedonians begin the turn with 41 RP lost and units worth 10 RP routed, well under their Withdrawal level of 135 RP.
Great Battles of Alexander: The Battle of Issus – Part IV Read Post »
After Action Report