Village Games' Blog - Historical Games

RUNNING AT THE RECON...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0600

It was recently time for the local quarterly miniatures convention again. As I had brought a 15mm WWII game to share for the last few, I decided to shake it up and do a little something different – a modern middle east battle in 1/72 scale.

The change did force me to have to hurry to get a lot of the elements done in time – a new desert battle mat, some rock walls and piles, as well as the figures themselves! Somehow I did manage to get it all done, and it all turned out pretty great (if I do say so myself…).

The scenario was US Army forces moving into a middle eastern town trying to clear it of insurgents using the Tactical Assault: Combat Cards for the rules (yes, they work for modern actions as well!). The insurgents had to eliminate three units of the American forces for a win, and the insurgents could ‘recycle’ their destroyed stands (i.e. bring them back onto the battlefield after they had been eliminated in battle). The Americans had to eliminate eight units from the insurgents, the Americans could not ‘recycle‘ their stands, but they did have a distinct sophistication advantage (technology, communications, training, etc.).

We ran the scenario a few times during the day with both sides winning their share of the engagements (the American players usually lost their aggressiveness after suffering a casualty and couldn’t score any kills to win), but everyone who played had a great time – including yours truly!

Now I have to get cracking on finishing a bunch more insurgents as I have a pair of Blackhawks and Apaches waiting to get on the tabletop!

Until next time…

Stay frosty!

Dan

SHOWING OFF THE COMBAT CARDS...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:33:00 -0700

At Con of the North I, and a couple of dedicated volunteers, ran numerous games of the Combat Cards in the Village Games’ room. These events included the core game as well as the playtest versions of the Modern Skirmish Cards™ and the Fantasy Skirmish Cards™.

At least one Combat Card event was schedule in every time slot, with two games being run simultaneously during some of the timeslots. The expectation was that some of the games might not happen, due to a lack of players signed up, etc. To our (exhausting) surprise every slot had at least 3 players (out of 4 possible), many times 4, and sometimes even 5 or 6 with the extras hoping to be able to get in.

Here are a few shots of the core games we ran – one was a Russian Front circa 1944 and the other was set in the Anzio Beachhead in Italy in 1944. Both were done in 15mm:

For the Anzio game I had even made some vineyards for the table – unfortunately my only picture of them in action turned out a little blurry, but you get the idea:

Here are some shots of the Modern Skirmish game. It was set during Operation Market Garden, with the 101^st Airborne trying to stop a German tank that had broken through from threatening the highway heading north to Arhnem:

For the Fantasy Skirmish game, the players either played the orcs trying to protect their new found imprisoned demon or the heroic parties attempting to destroy the demon before the orcs can release it:

The weekend far exceed even our wildest expectations. Thanks goes out to Kendal, Mark and Nate for their help in making sure that every who played had a great time!

Until next time…

…I am going to get some more sleep. J

Dan

GIVING CREDIT...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:22:00 -0700

Just a couple of random shots from recent Flames of War games at the shop. I have to give the guys credit, we challenged them a while back to get their campaign off the ground and they have done it. They play every week now, and have been expanding their armies and units. They have even been recruiting new players!

I know that the Germans' incessant losing is killing John M., but a little humility never hurts anybody. J

Until next time…

Enjoy!

Dan

A CHANCE TO PLAY...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:11:48 -0700

The other day I finally got a chance to play a game at the shop. It was a WWII micro armor (6mm) game with the Combat Cards. Dave B. played the Americans, and I was the Germans in a mechanized meeting engagement – a nice way of saying a sort of free-for-all.

We had a great time, with lots of carnage on the table. It also afforded us the opportunity to kick around a few ideas for the next Combat Cards campaign. All in all it was a very enjoyable afternoon, and probably much deserved given how little time I have had lately to do anything fun like that.

I snagged a few pictures with my phone camera, I hope you enjoy them!

Until next time…

Happy Hunting!

Dan

THE FLAMES ARE BEING FANNED...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:58:00 -0700

There is a growing crowd becoming infected with the Flames of War WWII miniatures virus. In fits and starts, they have been working to get the game off the ground at the shop and recruit new players. Towards that effort, and as a prelude to the big campaign they are going to be kicking off next year, they recently held a massive multi-player game at the shop.

I believe it was on the Russian Front circa 1944, as the volume of Russian tanks was incredible. As the game went well past when I had to leave, I would presume everyone had a good time. If these guys are going to be putting on these games on a regular basis, I can’t wait to see the next one.

If something like this interests you, then you should definitely stop by and check it out. I know they are actively recruiting new players (and old vets who want to give it a try) and are very willing to run demo games or loan out a force or two to newcomers.

Until next time…

Here is to hoping you are on the right side of those Ruskies!

Dan

HAS SOMEHTING FROZEN OVER???

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:29:00 -0700

Recently, our regular Saturday morning modern micro armor group – the ‘Treadheads’ – played a game at the shop which may represent a fundamental shift in the universe as we know it…

The played a World War II game!

I know it sounds incredible, but it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes. The die-hard stalwarts of everything modern played a game which must have amounted to a game of ‘ancients’ for them - Tigers vs. Shermans. They were testing out the WWII variant for their favorite modern rules set – MBT.

All in all, they seemed to have a very good time (as always) and have already begun discussing the next scenario. If you are interested in joining this group (which I strong advise you think long and hard about your own sanity before doing) they are always willing to teach – and often times they will even provide the first company to get you hooked. Just keep an eye out to the Forums and the store Calendar for their next event.

(As visual evidence of this occurrence, I have included a photo of one of the avowed modern only guys – George H. – trying to figure out what his force is composed of…)

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan

GETTING READY FOR THE CONVENTION CIRCUIT…

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:58:00 -0600

Pretty quick here I will be heading out to a variety of local conventions to show off some of the games we carry at the shop – most notably the Combat Cards line – and to playtest some up and coming stuff. One of those playtests is the Modern Skirmish deck for the Combat Cards.

One of the scenarios I will be running for the conventions involves US paratroopers in WWII trying to track down & take out a German tank (with infantry) which has broken through the lines. All of the figures for the scenario are 25mm with the majority being from Old Glory/Westwind and some from Artizan designs. A few of the figures have been showcased in the blog before, but I finally finished up the rest of them.

These are some shots from a recent playtest at the shop which, by the way, the Americans won this time. Hopefully as we take the show on the road, I will have even more shots to show off and maybe even a few new pieces finished – if I can find the time. J

Until next time…

Beware of the tube protruding from the moving bush!

Dan

THEY ARE AT IT AGAIN...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:15:00 -0600

The Modern Treadheads – the Micro Armor group that plays regularly at the shop on Saturdays – have once again been playing and recruiting for their cause. This game was an infantry action to secure a middle-eastern village in a ‘what-if’ scenario, and was also showing off some of the new 6mm terrain that they might start producing commercially for the rest of us (whohoo!).

Anyway, the Treadheads once again snagged themselves a new player and embroiled him in the intricacies of modern combat. I would tell you if you are interested stop by the shop and check out their games, but I don’t know that I need to given how they seem to have some supernatural power to compel people to join their evil cabal… J

Until next time…

You had best brush up on your M16 stats!

Dan

STILL BATTLING AROUND KURSK...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:39:00 -0600

The shop’s summer Combat Cards campaign is still going strong. Every week has been a blast, with close games, friendly smack-talk and partisan cheering! After this last week though, the Russians are in a tough spot so they will really have to pick it up a notch over the last two-weeks of the campaign.

In addition, things are starting to ramp up for the fall campaign – a facet of Operation Market Garden. South of Nijmegen and north of Eindhoven, the US 101^st Airborne, along with armored units from the British XXX Corps, fought to keep ‘Hell’s Highway’ – the one road link to the British 1^st Airborne at Arhnem – open against vicious German counterattacks. It should prove to be a lot of fun as the Allied players will get to select from both American and British units, and the German players get to chose from all of the usual ‘toys’ (even Flak 88’s and Tiger II’s!). The force selection lists should be posted on the Combat Cards website soon (www.CombatCards.info). If think you might be interested in playing in the fall campaign, stop by and let the shop know – space will be limited.

Anyhow, enjoy some of the pictures from recent campaign games – the armies and battlefields look great!

Until next time…

Keep your head down!

Dan

STILL TRYING...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:39:00 -0600

For the last few months we have really been trying to get the WWII game Flames of War (from Battlefront) going in the shop. One of the shop’s staff (John M.) has taken up the cause and is trying to recruit players as aggressively as possible. Unfortunately, it has not exactly met with a lot of success.

It is unfortunate, as the shop carries a huge selection of the product (blisters & box sets) as well as all of the books, tokens, etc., so anyone wanting to get started – or round out an army – should be able to find what they are looking for on the shelf. In addition, all of the peripheral stuff is available too – terrain (prepainted & kits), historical reference books, etc.

Personally I love any historical miniatures games, so it would certainly warm my heart to walk into the shop and see a game room filled with WWII miniatures games going on. We have had pretty good luck recruiting for the Combat Cards campaigns, so I think there are historical players out there to be had – WWII ones in particular.

John is going to be making a big push to recruit and teach new players over the coming couple of weeks, so if Flames looks like it may interest you I would highly recommend checking out the Forums for when John has schedule his next demo. The shop always prides itself on responding the trends of the shop’s players, but that cuts both ways. If no one is interested, or playing a game, resources have to be allocated elsewhere - not a threat, just an unfortunate reality.

So if you are interested, get out and have your voice heard! J

Until next time…

Watch out for them Tigers!

Dan

AN INTERESTING SCENARIO...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:17:00 -0600

The Saturday morning Treadheads were at it again recently, running a very interesting scenario in micro armor. The premise was a Russian ‘prisoner rescue’ under the time constraint of insurgent irregulars bearing down on the prison camp in their gypsy caravan.

Apparently, the Russian ended up running into considerable difficulties with their airborne rescue operation (gee, go figure a complex and delicate plan running into difficulties…) and were not able to complete the mission as hoped for.

In the end, everybody really seemed to have a good time, and I think the game may have even caught the interest of some potential new players.

Until next time…

Keep rolling them crits!

Dan

MORE FROM THE TREADHEADS...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:46:00 -0600

Recently the Modern Treadheads were at it again at the shop with their semi-regular modern micro-armor game. This time they had brought their own very excellent terrain boards to play on. Check out the forests and gently sloping topography of these bad boys!

This time I believe they were playing a ‘learning’ game as they had just recently picked up another new player (welcome Eric!). I think the next scenario will be another learning experience as they fold in more elements of modern combat, including infantry fighting tactics and possibly air-mobile operations.

Of course, with all of this renewed interest in micro armor (there are folks getting into the WWII side of it as well) we are getting requests for additional items on the next order. Ah, pleasing the masses is never done… J

Until next time…

Here’s to Explosive Reactive Armor!

Dan

READER'S SUBMISSION...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:32:45 -0600

Just a quick entry today – Dave A. has sent me some pictures of a Korean War scenario he is getting ready for the Combat Cards. He will be taking the game on the road to promote the Gamer’s Reunion Convention in Rochester, Minnesota in September (yours truly may even be able to attend and run a few games of the Cards there – here’s to keeping the fingers crossed!).

Dave says he is doing the battle in 1/72 scale which should make for a very big, and very cool looking, battlefield when finished. I believe the scenario is based on Task Force Smith’s battles on the road to Osan in July of 1950. Hopefully GuruDave will keep us updated on how the scenario development goes, and will even provide us with some shots of the events when he runs them.

Until next time…

Dan

MORE FROM THE RUSSIAN FRONT...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0600

We had another week of the combat cards campaign at the shop recently. It was a new scenario, derived from the fact Russian forces won the majority of battles in the previous round, which had the Germans on the offensive again.

Everybody showed up eager to play – especially the German players, who wanted to avenge their rather lackluster performance the time before. All of the games proved to be very intense and full of on the edge moments. On a couple of the battlefields the games went right up to the final time limit before they resolved themselves. An exciting week indeed!

In the end, this round proved to be a rough one for the Russians, as the Germans took three out of the four games. Fortunately, most of the German wins were only by a narrow margin which still keeps things close. Each scenario though, is taking on more and more significance with the close number of victories for both sides.

Well, until next time enjoy the pictures…

Dan

MODERN TREADHEADS...

nospam@example.com (Dan Hobot) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:49:44 -0600

Just a couple of shots from the Saturday morning modern micro armor group. They have renamed themselves the ‘MSP Treadheads Modern Micro Armor Group’ (‘MSPTMMAG’ for short?). Anyway, they are really trying to get the word out and recruit new players. They have been running a variety of interesting and topical scenarios to show the possible insights that folks can garner through modern gaming.

The group has also been trying out a variety of different rule sets so there are choices when it comes to playing out a specific scenario, depending on what the emphasis of the scenario is. If you might be interested, I would recommend checking out the group’s posts on our forums for the next time they are going to be at the shop. They really are a fun group, and incredibly detail oriented!

The scenario pictured below I believe was a US infantry company dueling with insurgents in Iraq, but I am not certain on that.

Until next time, enjoy the pictures…

Dan