Welcome to a new (irregular) series on Clio’s Board Games! As you know, I love playing history in board games, and as you also know, I also love reading about history. So, we’re pairing the two! (Think of it like a sommelier recommending a wine & cheese pairing.) Here’s a book and a board game […]
My goal in designing I, Napoleon was not to produce a competitive game since as a solo design the only opponent to beat is the game itself. While it is quite possible to “lose” the game, and there are a wide variety of different potential “wins” that can be achieved, in I, Napoleon the play
The Many Lives of Napoleon Bonaparte Read Post »
Designer BlogsWhen you have just learned a shiny new board game, especially one which is a bit longer and more complex than others, it’s nice to have some strategic direction. That’s what I aim to provide with my series Three Basic Tips – strategy advice for beginner and intermediate players that is easy to remember and yet gets
How to Win at Unconditional Surrender! — Three Basic Tips Read Post »
Strategy ArticlesFor my final article on the new Sovereign of Discord expansion, I will focus on one of the themes of the Bonus Events that are included for the base game. The expansion includes 40 new Events to be used with the original Fire in the Lake scenarios and the two additional base game scenarios that
Sovereign of Discord Bonus Events: Women’s Role in the Vietnam War Read Post »
Designer BlogsThis is the fifth and final article in the series presenting each of the five powers of Baltic Empires in turn. This time I will cover Denmark. Just like Poland-Lithuania, Denmark-Norway (or “Denmark” for short) starts near the height of their historical power, with a far-flung empire with possessions across the Baltic Sea, and a
The Powers of Baltic Empires — Denmark-Norway Read Post »
Designer BlogsThe American Civil War lasted from April, 1861 to May, 1865, just over forty eight months. When I was researching the background information for “Infernal Machine: Dawn of Submarine Warfare” I knew there would have to be some way of showing the influence of the outside world on the Player’s project. The Player’s role in
Infernal Machine: The March of Time — An Overview of the Fortunes of War Cyclopedias Read Post »
Designer BlogsThis coming August will mark the third anniversary of Death Valley’s publication. During the GMT Seminar at CSW-Expo 2019, six weeks or so before the game shipped to customers, I announced that designer Greg Laubach was working on a follow-up battle, Piedmont. As time went on, those listening that evening might have wondered what had
Battles for the Shenandoah: Developer’s Notes for the Death Valley Expansion Pack Read Post »
Developer NotesAt the time of writing this, All Bridges Burning, COIN Series Volume X, is the latest released COIN Series game.The game tells the story of the Finnish Civil War of 1918 including the lead up to the war during the previous year. In this article, we will introduce you to a new variant to All
All Bridges Burning: A 2-Player Variant Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Freebies, Scenarios/VariantsIt never ceases to amaze me how a few tweaks in the basic C&C engine can create genuine variation in play experience between different games, presenting new strategic challenges and modeling different tactical imperatives across widely divergent historical periods and genres. Some of these differences are minor and modular, such as national unit characteristics in
Commands & Colors: Ancients – Skirmishing and Evasion Strategy by BrentS Read Post »
Strategy ArticlesBy Ed Ostermeyer, Master Engineer (Grade 2) Good day to you, young Inventor. In these chaotic days of this accursed Civil War, it is well that you have all your important papers in order. Especially important is to have in your possession documents known as “letters patent.” Today’s session of instruction from the Inventor’s Vade
