Following on from the Pilot Issue (The Classic Wargamer’s Journal: First Impressions) the first regular issue of CWJ is here – and continues on in the vein of the pilot issue. A poignant point by the editor, Phil Olley, is the modern ‘habit’ of talking about playing ‘rules’ (e.g. we say we are off to play Flames of War, not World War II, or do you want to play FoG instead of Ancients), and this embeds a subconscious mindset of playing ‘rules’ rather than ‘periods’ – perhaps a sign of the commercialisation of the hobby?
This issue’s Game Reports & Scenarios include Battles in the Blast Valley: The action at Spurlash Down; Part 2 of the Fireraisers Scenario & Report (from the pilot issue); and Advanced Guard – A Refight of a Charles S. Grant Table-Top Teaser from “Battle for Wargamers” Magazine (from June & July 1978).
Stuart Asquith provides details of his quest to refight Hook’s Farm from H.G. Wells “Little Wars” in 54mm; and there is an excellent article on gaming Night Attacks with a brief game report set in the ECW; and an account of the latest Darkest Africa adventures from “Tales of the Golden Head”. The Reports & Scenarios are rounded out by a reprint from Jack Scruby’s The War Game Digest, Book I, Volume II, June 1957, which describes an ~1806 action between French & Russian forces (very) loosely modelled on Austerlitz.
Greg Horne provides thoughts on Taking Control Of A Wargaming Project and Peter Verduyn begins a series on Hyboria – creating your own Imagi-Nation inspired by Tony Bath; in the same vein Stokes Schwartz discusses the whole Imagi-Nation thing, and there is an interesting interview with Stuart Asquith (who now plays mostly in 54mm, and apparently has a penchant for the Norman/Saxon/1066 AD era – who’d have guessed from his publications and public profile). The issue rounds out with the usual letters and other minor articles.
Authors (& their Blogs) featured in the issue:
- Greg Horne’s Old School ACW and The Duchy of Alzheim.
- Peter Nyudrev’s Wargaming & 18th Century Imagi-Nation Blog.
- David Shuttleworth’s Wargame Amateur Blog.
- Stoke Schwartz’s Grand Duchy of Stollen.
- Conrad Kinch’s Joy and Forgetfulness (wargaming) Blog.
Next Issue is due in January 2011.