In our last InsideGMT article we covered the British counterinsurgency campaign in Palestine between 1945-1947. Just as the British were withdrawing from Palestine, labor unrest was rising in the British colony of Malaya. In July 1948, the British declared a state of emergency against the rising unrest and violence being organized by the Malayan Communist […]
The British Way: Malaya Read Post »
Designer BlogsHaving provided a general overview of the whole multi-pack in our first InsideGMT article, the rest of this series will focus on providing an overview of each of the individual games, starting with the earliest conflict in the pack. The British Way: Palestine depicts the struggle between Jewish insurgent groups and British forces in Mandatory
The British Way: Palestine Read Post »
Designer BlogsThe British Way covers four counterinsurgency campaigns between 1945 and 1959. In each of these campaigns, the British attempted to control their exit from empire while facing an insurgent opponent. This period of British counterinsurgency influenced subsequent counterinsurgency doctrine and campaigns by both the British and other countries. In future articles, I will cover background
The British Way: Introduction to the Multi-Pack Read Post »
Designer BlogsPure Land Buddhism venerates the Buddha Amitābha (Amida in Japanese) and originated in India, before spreading to China and eventually Japan. In Japan, Pure Land (Jodo Shū) and True Pure Land (Jōdo Shinshū) Buddhism were both founded in the 12th century, the former by the monk Hōnen and the latter by his disciple Shinran, but
The Chronicles of Ōnin #5: Ikki Leagues and Antinomianism Read Post »
Designer Blogs15th century Japan was a largely agricultural society, with urban population centres like Kyoto being the exception rather than the norm. The previous capital Kamakura in northern Honshu was another exception, but cities like Sakai, Osaka, and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) did not fully emerge until the end of this period. Although the feudal class system
The Chronicles of Ōnin #4: The Peasant Economy and the Jizamurai Read Post »
Designer BlogsThe two main competitors for control of the Muromachi Bakufu during the Ōnin War were the Hosokawa clan, led by Hosokawa Katsumoto, and the Yamana clan, led by Yamana Sōzen. The Hosokawa were descended from the Seiwa Genji line of the Imperial family, and along with the Hatakeyama and Shiba clans, held dominant positions in
The Chronicles of Ōnin #3: Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen Read Post »
Designer BlogsAshikaga Yoshimasa unexpectedly became shogun at a young age, after his older brother Yoshikatsu died under possibly suspicious circumstances, and it is clear that he never really wanted the responsibility that came with the position. He was more interested in artistic and spiritual pursuits, and is known today not only for his mismanagement of the
The Chronicles of Ōnin #2: Yoshimasa and the Muromachi Court Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Inside the Game as HistoryIf you’re a regular reader of this series, by now you know that People Power covers the political history of the Philippines post-Martial Law until the beginning of the Corazon Aquino administration. This 5-year period was full of activity and many pivotal moments, which are the focus of the scenarios in People Power. The main
Laban! Chapter 9: The Scenarios in People Power Read Post »
Developer NotesThe Pure Land depicts the decade-long Ōnin War in 15th century Japan, a civil war for control of the Muromachi Bakufu set against a backdrop of peasant unrest and religious militancy. This conflict precipitated the Sengoku (or Warring States) period that would continue into the 16th century, and was the beginning of the slow decline
The Chronicles of Ōnin #1: Civil War in Muromachi Japan Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Inside the Game as HistoryUntil you have a community playing you don’t know how good of a job you’ve done. Richard Garfield A good half a year has passed since the publication of the COIN Series Volume X, All Bridges Burning. The reception has been amazing. The game was nominated for the Golden Geek Award, several good reviews have
All Bridges Burning: Some Post-Publication Rules Variants Read Post »
Designer Blogs, Scenarios/Variants