Designer Blogs

Simple Great Battles of the American Civil War Overview

At the proverbial 10,000 ft. view, Simple GBACW (or Simple Version) looks very similar to the GBACW Series Rules. It should of course, because they both use the same maps and counters for units and leaders. The Sequence of Play and the flow of the game are very similar as well; each division receives a […]

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Designer Blogs

Meet the Jin (Wu): A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia

The Jin (also often known as the Wu in deference to the Jin’s founder, Emperor Wu) played a vital role in many of the wars of ancient China’s unification – and in the rebellions that undermined such efforts to bring China under the rule of a single dynasty.   They were an inventive, artistic, and highly

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Designer Blogs

Designing the Third GMT “Ancient Civs” Game: Ancient Civilizations of East Asia (Part 2 of 2)

Introduction by ACEA Co-Designer, Fred Schachter: This article’s Part 1 of 2 provided Designer Chris Vorder Bruegge’s general overview, with historical references, of how Ancient Civilizations of East Asia was designed.  This included video links readers may find of interest in gaining appreciation of the game’s historical context. In Part 2 of 2, Author Chris

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Designer Blogs

Meet the Zhou: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia

Meet the Zhou: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia  By Mark McLaughlin & Fred Schachter The Zhou were one of the key civilizations which helped define China and its culture. They endured for some 789 years, from c. 1046 BC until 256 BC, the longest span of any dynasty in Chinese history. Their core source of power was

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Designer Blogs

Streamlining World War I Combat and Logistics in A Hell So Terrible

Although the Battle of Verdun was truly unique in so many ways, it was also a prototypically brutal First World War slugfest. Characterized by pulverizing “rain of steel” artillery barrages, murderous trench assaults across No Man’s Land, vicious close quarter fighting utilizing everything from entrenching tools to flamethrowers, and all other aspects of this primeval

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Designer Blogs

Designing the Third GMT “Ancient Civs” Game: Ancient Civilizations of East Asia (Part 1 of 2)

Introduction by ACEA Co-Designer, Fred Schachter: What a journey it’s been with my buddies Chris Vorder Bruegge and Mark Mclaughlin in creating the “Ancient Civs” Game Series!  It started with Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea (ACIS), then Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East (ACME) and now we’re pleased to offer through GMT the next

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Designer Blogs

Introducing Simple Great Battles of the American Civil War

GBACW “The Great Battles of the American Civil War (GBACW) system allows gamers to simulate American Civil War era battles on a regimental level, using mechanics that concentrate on the use, effects and personalities of battlefield command, as well as the tactical difficulty in maneuvering such large numbers of troops and bringing them to bear

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Designer Blogs

Meet the Shang: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia

The Shang are the earliest recorded dynasty of ancient China. For far more detail than this summary can convey, see: Shang dynasty – Wikipedia. There are also numerous YouTube videos regarding them. The Shang are credited with giving China its first written language – as found on oracle bones used by their priests for divination.

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Designer Blogs

Meet the Chu: A Civilization of GMT’s Ancient Civilizations of East Asia

 The Chu were one of the strongest, most persistent, and most influential civilizations of Chinese history. They were a major force in politics and culture for over 800 years. Their armies were famed – and feared – for their chariots and their importation and mastery of war elephants in battle.  These traits are reflected both

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Designer Blogs

Defiance Standard Campaign Session Report: OCTOBER 2025 AAR

Mark (Ukraine) and Doc (acting as a NATO observer) vs YOGI (Russian bot) Note: We played against the Russian bot (YOGI) that Mark designed for Defiance. TURN 1A: Battle of Hostomel Airbase Battle of Vasylkiv Airbase: Part 1: Airbridge Established Invasion: VDV AND 36TH Army VDV forces advance into Ukraine, clear main avenue of advance.

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