Back in 1989, before the “G”, “M”, and “T” had even officially formed a company, I was working on my first “real” (as opposed to all the extremely amateur efforts that violated my game tables during the college and early-professional years. MAN, I kinda wish I’d kept the one on Brice’s Crossroads!) game design, an operational level game covering the campaigns of the newly arrived 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam’s Central Highlands in late 1965. That game was Silver Bayonet, and it was the game that tested a system that my other two initial designs, Air Bridge to Victory and Operation Shoestring, were based on. We actually released all three together in late 3rd quarter, 1990, but Silver Bayonet, to me at least, was always “my first published game.”
Later this year, to mark our 25th year in business – no small feat in this industry – we’re going to release a complete remake of that original game, as a special 25th Anniversary Edition of Silver Bayonet. This edition will feature WAY better map and counters than what we published in 1990 (thank you Mark Simonitch and Charlie Kibler!), a few new units, and a complete rework of rules, while maintaining essentially the same (streamlined just a bit) operational system that appeared in the original. Rodger is doing special cover art for this edition as well, so this should be a pretty cool package, all in all.
The only reason I can really make a new design of this original game a reality is because my friend (and our webmaster) Mitch Land has agreed to help. As many of you know, Mitch has taken over the reigns of my original Crisis: Korea 1995 system and is now creating new games using that system in our “Next War” series. Recently he came to me and inquired about basically doing the same thing with my Operational Series – updating it and then taking it to new topics and eras. I replied that “I’ve been thinking about doing a 25th Anniversary Edition of Silver Bayonet, and this would really help me with the workload.” So, we agreed, the only difference being that I’m way more involved in the Silver Bayonet project – it’s still my baby, I guess – than I was with any of the Next War series update. So I have the original game out on my game table and am looking anew at the system, scenarios, as well as scaling issues for the reworked map (more below on map and counters). We have a May deadline to send the game to the printers (for a planned Fall release), so this is something that I’m working on daily. And Mitch is a huge help, getting the rules in shape for Mark and helping me identify areas we can tighten up in the system and scenarios.
Believe it or not, I kept a ton of customer letters with questions from the early 90s, along with my answers, so I’ve been poring back over those, too – smiling as I read names of guys who are STILL regular customers 25 years later, and remembering good times with some of those who have passed from this life in the years since. It’s been an interesting – and a little melancholy – experience, really takes me back to those early, crazy years when it was just Jewel and me running the office and we only had a few game series that we were trying to get off the ground. I like our situation today MUCH better, but it’s still pretty cool to be transported back to those early years as I read those feedback cards and letters.
The Map and Counters. For those of you familiar with the original game, you’re going to see a MAJOR upgrade to the map and counters. For the counters, I’m adding a few, but mostly it’ll just be WAY better art from Mark and Charlie. Also, we’re increasing the size a bit, using 9/16″ counters this time instead of the 1/2″ in the original game. These are designed to complement an entirely new map. A few things to note here:
1. Back in 1989, most of the good tactical maps that we have access to today were still Classified. So I’m using current sources to update the terrain analysis, which should give us a much better look at what the area of operations west of Pleiku actually looked like in 1965. Sorry about the original guys – I did the best I could with the sources I had – but this one should be a considerable upgrade.
2. We are re-orienting the map (N-S) and increasing the hexsize. The overall effect should be a much easier tactile feel to the game, with a map and counters that are much more pleasant to look at.
3. To accomodate the resize, I’m modifying the ground scale ever so slightly (about 5%) so that everything will fit nicely on one 22 x 34″ map.
Just to give you a sense of the art difference, here’s a look at a few of the original game counters verses a REALLY ROUGH PLAYTEST VERSION that Mitch made up last week.
Original Counters
Mitchs Playtest Counters
By the time Mark and Charlie do their magic on these counters, I think you guys will be really happy with what you get.
How are we selling the Silver Bayonet 25th Anniversary Edition? Once we have the new map from Mark, we’ll put this up on our P500 list. Unlike most of our P500s, though, this one won’t have to pass 500 to be printed. We’re already committed to printing it, with the funds set aside. But we’ll use P500 as a way for you guys to reserve your copies, as this will be a limited edition, one-time-only print run, and the P500 orders we get will determine how “limited” we make the print run. So, if you want to get a copy of this 25th Anniversary edition, look for it on P500 in another month or two, and get your order in early.
A recommended book. The “We Were Soldiers Once and Young” book came out in late 1992, and the movie a decade later, and Americans began to learn about the bitter struggle of
Hal Moore’s troopers in the shadow of the Chu Pong at LZ X-Ray. But even now, little has been written on the broader campaign in October and November of 1965, a campaign that stopped, attritted, and later routed a tough North Vietnamese Division poised to overrun the Special Forces camps and meager fortifications around Pleiku in just over a month of campaigning. Considering that airmobility was mostly “an idea” at that point, and that the unblooded 1st Cavalry troopers that implemented new strategies and tactics were about as familiar with the area of operations as they were the face of the moon, what they achieved was quite remarkable. And, of course, terribly costly. To this day, I know of no better book – if you want to read up on this campaign – that disects the entire campaign, than J.D. Coleman’s “Pleiku,” a book that was my primary source for constructing the game’s scenarios way back in 1990. To be sure, we have more information today, and some of that will make its way into the updated edition of the game, but this book remains a tremendous resource, written by a gifted writer, with enough precise detail that it almost reads like an after action report (though much more interesting.) If you’re interested in the topic, read (or re-read) this book.
Mitch and I will update you guys from time to time on progress, and give you peeks at the new art as we have it. We’re looking forward to making a cool new version of our first game. We hope you guys like it!
Enjoy the games!
Gene
Author: Gene Billingsley
Fantastic.
I like this game and have desired the other titles also. Fresh new titles in this system is a superb idea.
Will the hidden units aspect be dealt with for solo players?
Best of luck.
Hi Kevin!
Long ago, in one of the original printed issues of “Inside GMT” (we printed two issues of that in 1990-91 before we started C3i), I added a “Solitaire Suggestions” section. I’m revisiting that with this new edition, and will probably have something a bit more fleshed out in the final rulebook. But we are not contemplating a “full solitaire system” at this point. That would take way more time than we have to create and test.
Wow! I’ve looked at this game many times over the past few years, and wished it would be reprinted so I could get a copy. I’ll be preordering this!
Thanks Chris!
Great news. I bought all three ops games back when you published them. Very fond memories indeed. Looking forward to a fresh new version!
Thanks Rene! And thanks for buying those first three games. Without you guys who bought back then, we’d have never made it to 5 years, much less 25!
Yes! I can read the new counters!
And Mark and Charlie’s will be way better than the playtest version!
I haven’t played the original game but I will happily give this anniversary edition a try 🙂 Any chances for a mounted board?
Thanks Janek!
No mounted board is planned for this one, at least not at this time.
Thanks Gene. I hope SB gets enough P500 orders for you guys to reconsider this decision 🙂
Great News!! I have the original and look forward to adding the update to my game shelf as well. Will you be redoing your Arnhem and Guadalcanal games also? If you do…
Hi Vince!
Where the Operational Series goes next is going to be up to Mitch. Basically whatever he’s interested in and wants to work on will have my blessing. If he does decide to redo ABTV or OS, though, I’ll probably jump in to help – can’t help myself. 🙂
National Championship and now this?!?! Loved this game when it came out and I was in Vietnam 2 years ago so I can’t wait for this version. 25 years? whoa, I am old…
Congrats to you and the Buckeyes, Craig! Glad you’re looking forward to this new edition of Silver Bayonet.
Gene, this is such good news. I got your original game back in the day and have been a GMT customer and supporter ever since (though I DO wish you’d do more sci-fi than you do; thank heaven’s for Jim’s 4X series). You filled the vacuum for me when SPI and Victory went down, and you all have gone on to surpass them in so many ways. I hope this new edition is a smashing success and that GMT as a whole has a fabulous 2015.
Hi David!
You’re one of the guys I have good memories of talking/corresponding with all the way back to those first game releases. I hear you on the Space games, but hey, I’m pretty much a wargame guy, so to do other types, we have to get designers who love those games, as Jim does with Space Empires. I’m really glad we helped fill a vacuum for you back in the 90s, and thanks very much for the kind words and your ongoing support for GMT.
This was my very first GMT game. I still have the typewritten letter I sent to GMT on February 16, 1991 with seven Silver Bayonet rules questions. Gene hand-wrote the answers to every question on the letter and snail-mailed it back to me. (This was before the internet, email, etc.) He complimented me on the thoroughness of my questions and thanked me for supporting his company. A lot of things have changed since then but Gene’s and GMT’s concern for their customers has been a constant. Thanks for 25 years of great games! (I will be ordering the new version).
Wow, Steve, that’s pretty cool. Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate your kind words and your long-time support of our company! I still remember you flying in from the midwest to a bunch of those early GMT Weekends. I was amazed that someone would actually fly to the Central Valley to play games with us (and remember Nick from the UK – wow, that was stunning!) and really enjoyed getting to know you at those early Weekends.
Take Care,
Gene
It will also be the 50th Anniversary of Silver Bayonet.
Good point, Volko – quite a bit more important than our 25th. “Lest we forget….” Thanks!
Well, that’ll be a P500 when it’s offered.
…and here I was thinking I could get through 2015 without adding ANOTHER game to my P500 list!
Any ideas on what the other topics would be with this system?
Thanks Tom!
On next titles, I’ll have to let Mitch weigh in on that, as I’m basically going to green light whatever topics interest him and his team as they move forward with the series.
That’s great because I absolutely love the Next War series so it’ll be in good hands.
Silver Bayonet was the second GMT game I bought (the first was the 1st ed. of The Great Battles of Alexander) and this company went on to fill the void of the fall & suborning of Avalon Hill. I still have both copies & will P500 this one. Keep ’em comin’, guys…
Thanks for your support and encouragement, Warren!
I am lucky enough to have one of the originals, and the new edition is a must-have for me! Many congratulations Gene and the team on 25 great years!
Echoing some of the comments below, I remember buying only Air Bridge to Victory and Operation Shoestring but not Silver Bayonet as I wasn’t too familiar with campaigns in Vietnam outside the Tet Offensive at the time. Nevertheless, I was new to the hobby and enjoyed making Gene’s acquaintance when he attended the LAX Strategicons way, way back. Then I read J.D. Coleman’s Pleiku and everything changed, literally. I had purchased Silver Bayonet and have played ALL the scenarios in the game including a nail biter of a campaign. Glad to know that a revised and updated version is on the way. I’ve contacted my pal, Mike Panikowski and we are set to re-visit a campaign on the Chu Pong Massif once this project becomes a physical reality!
Make sure this time you don’t put your home phone in the rule book. I remember calling you with a question. funny times cant believe its been 25 years.
LOL Mark! Yep, pretty sure that was in the Hornet Leader rulebook. Mary was not amused. But hey, I got to meet a lot of good customers! (She’s still not buying it!)
Lesson learned.
To answer some of the “what’s next” questions, the genesis of my question to Gene (above) was in regards to using the system for the Falklands War. I would also like to revisit Air Bridge to Victory, but we’ll see how that goes.
Edit: There are also likely some other Vietnam campaigns which would fit well within the framework.
Falklands war??? Oh that is P500’d immediately – bring it on Mitch! (just starting Next War Taiwan – great work on that by the way!)
Richard, thanks for the kind words on Next War: Taiwan. I’ve done some preliminary review, and it seems like the Operational Series system, overall and with an overhaul, should fit the Falklands.
Gene:
I was just 15 when that battle happened. I still remember Walter Cronkite told us about the American unit that was heavily engaged in the Central Highlands, and how much danger they were in. I’ve read the books and seen the movies. I think I know what “Glory” is: Those guys are swimming in it. Sad and proud all at once….Four years later I was in the USN. Didn’t make it to Nam, though. I don’t think the Nation will ever be able to repay, or thank those guys for their service, and their sacrifice. I WILL p500 this one (already have the original).
Thanks
Gary
Amen to all you said, Gary. No way can we repay that kind of sacrifice – some of those who gave their lives in this operation had enlistments expiring within the week. Tragedy and great honor all mixed together. It’s difficult to make sense of it all, sometimes – but not hard at all to revere the memory of those brave troopers. Thanks for your service, and your support!
Best,
Gene
This is a great idea! Please consider updating/reprinting (resurrecting?) a few other out of print games (like Battles of Waterloo or Borodino!) from way back when.
Hi Jeff!
That’s not off the table, but we’d need skilled designers/developers to help us update some of those older games.
This is a pleasant surprise! Just a couple of months ago I asked Mr. Curtis if there was any chance these games would be reprinted. He replied that you thought the system was outdated and that you were too busy to update it (or words to that effect). So count me in! I especially look forward to the “Shoestring” reprint (if possible?!) since there seems to be so few games on this subject. I like the interaction of air/land/sea combat (which is why I like Operation Mercury and was disappointed to see it dropped from the reprint list). Good luck and thanks for all you do (especially your outstanding customer service).
Hi Robert!
Well, we’re going to guage response to this one and then think about whether Shoestring, for example, is worth the time and effort to update, compared with our other projects. I like it for the same triphibious reasons you do, so I wouldn’t be against a new version.
Well, I will get one. Look for the upgraded counters. Thought the map & counters then were a little rough, but thought the game (and the other two initial releases) were something special. Wow. 25 years.
Thanks Gary, for the kind words, and for your support over these 25 years!
Hi Gene, that is such good news. Silver Bayonet was my first GMT purchase all those years ago. GMT has proven to be the best game company hands down. Your games and after service are second to none. I will very happily purchase this special game.
Peter
Thanks Peter! Glad Silver Bayonet was your entry to GMT. Thanks for all your kind words and for buying and playing our games!
Gene, good luck with this remake — I will be investigating it further at some point. Any chance that “Air Bridge to Victory” could get a redo as well? That’s a perfect size and scale for the Market Garden campaign, and I like the system. Or is Mark Simonitch going to be doing a game on that campaign, as I think I read somewhere, that might mean redoing “Air Bridge” would be something of a duplication?
Hi Steve!
I don’t know that Mark has any plans to do the Arnhem campaign, but if he did, I’d say that would be a better use of our time and funds than a remake of ABTV. Still, like you, really like the scale of that first game, and KNOW I could do it a lot better today. So, if Mitch were to want to work on that one, I’m sure I’d go along. 🙂
Mark did mention that he was thinking of taking the system now being used in France ’40/Ukraine ’43 to the Market Garden campaign, so I’m not sure I’d relish competing with that. 🙂
My first GMT game purchased from Gene at a convention at LA airport! Still a great Sim!
Thanks Barry!
I bought the original 3 GMT games when they first came out.
The thing I liked most was the limited intel system in SB and OS. Unlike most other systems that allowed hidden units, attention was paid to the process of obtaining intel through things like patrolling rather than the more usual simply having to blunder into the enemy to find out what was there. Always liked that, so I’ll be getting the new SB.
OMG yes pls!!!
Looked this up as I’m playing my original game *today*. I love this already; how do re a copy of the anniversary game, pls? Btw I’m in the UK.
Not familiar with your system. Has this been published? My dad fought in this battle. I remember reading about it in a letter from him and sticking a pin in the little plastic map of Vietnam he’d given me before he left.
Hi Dave! Wow, I’m sure you’re really proud of your dad. I hope this new edition of my first game design will bring more light to this campaign, helping players better appreciate the flow of the campaign, the terrain of the region, and the ferocity of the battles, while also honoring the service and sacrifice of patriots like your dad.
The game has not been released yet; it’s scheduled to ship in mid-November.
Best,
Gene
And yes, I really want it.
I read both of those books when they came out, and enthusiastically second the recommendations for one and all to read them.