This month we wrapped up design work on the bots for Fall of Saigon, the upcoming expansion to Fire in the Lake. This seemed like a good moment to reflect on the journey that it took to get to this point and share some of the things we’ve learned along the way. This is definitely […]
Inside GMT One: Behind the Design of Tru’ng Read Post »
Developer NotesThe New People’s Army (NPA) has its genesis in the Hukbalahap rebellion, fought by tenant farmers after World War II. By the late 1960s, the social conditions which had led the Huks to rebel remained unresolved and led to the formation of the New People’s Army by José María Sison and Bernabe Buscayno. The NPA
Laban! Chapter 5: The New People’s Army in People Power Read Post »
Developer NotesIn People Power the Reformer faction encompasses all the liberal, nonviolent, political opposition to the Marcos regime, including politicians, Catholic leaders, and regular citizens who were willing to voice their disdain for Marcos and his cronies. However, there is little doubt that the voice of the Reformers was, for many years, one man: Benigno Aquino
Laban! Chapter 4: The Reformers in People Power Read Post »
Developer NotesFred Serval’s Red Flag Over Paris was definitely the surprise highlight of 2020 for me. As I sat in quarantine, much like all of you, I was buoyed by the simplicity and elegance of the game. Fortunately we live in a connected age, and I was able to enjoy many sessions of Red Flag with
Inside GMT One: Solo Play in Red Flag Over Paris Read Post »
Developer NotesThe first COIN project I worked on was Bruce Mansfield’s Gandhi. Even as a relative newcomer to the COIN Series, I knew that Gandhi was a very different game. The model of nonviolent resistance presented in Gandhi sparked my imagination; where else could conflicts be modeled using these principles? As I continued to read I
Laban! Chapter 3: Violence and Nonviolence in People Power Read Post »
Developer Notes
This game is often referred to as “brilliant”, “seminal”, “ingenious” and any other number of superlatives in terms of its breathtaking ability to capture the essence of the Vietnam War. To many, shall we say experienced, grognards, this is because they have direct experience with the game and have spent many long hours immersed in
This is the Vietnam Game You’re Looking For, Part 1 Read Post »
Developer NotesUnlike other COIN games, People Power does not simply measure the Support for, or Opposition to, the Government. In most COIN games, Support and Opposition measure the willingness of a population to actively enable or hinder the operations of a faction through supplying guerillas, providing intelligence, and supporting Government operations.
Laban! Chapter 2: Support, Opposition, and Resistance in People Power Read Post »
Developer NotesWhenever I develop a game, I am always looking for ways to make the narrative shine. Usually, that involves consistent terminology, clear rules, concise player aids, and suggestions on what tweaks can be made to help the game get out of the way of the player, and allow for full immersion in the story. Occasionally
Laban! Chapter 1: Corruption and Patronage in People Power Read Post »
Developer NotesAs COIN Series Developer, I see a lot of cool prototypes. One of the hard things about my job is determining which prototypes will work well as COIN games, and which prototypes belong in a different series. There are lots of reasons that a game may not be perfect as a COIN Series game, but
What is the ‘Irregular Conflicts Series’? Read Post »
Developer NotesIn this article we look closer to the various unit types and their special capabilities. Armor In FAB: Crusader, there are two types of armor-class units and assets: armor and recon. Armor units/assets are tanks and each pip, or step, represents roughly 30-40 tanks. Armored recon and armored car units/assets are battalions with lightly armed
Introduction to FAB: Crusader Part 3 – Unit Overview Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Developer Notes