Update and a Review

Over the next couple of weeks (months) as I get settled into my new career as a programmer, I will be limited in how much time I can divert to writing and gaming. With that said until time frees up I will be limited to these three projects.

• Campaign to Save General Pope 
• Give GUPPys Their Due 
• Imperial Skies – With a Twist.

The first I covered last blog post, and I am waiting on the submarines so for now lets look at Imperial Skies.

These are rules by Robin Fitton and with miniatures by Brigade Models. I supported this as a Kickstarter and I have not been disappointed. The rules are first class and allow for using any existing miniatures from Brigade Models or other third parties making figure for AeroNefs. Robin went with superior production values with the book and will be suitable for sale in shops in the near future, I am sure.

The rules are designed around an alternate World War I with massive battle fleets. For me I will be doing colonial operations in darkest Africa, Mars and Venus via Space 1889. Either way the rules play well and I am looking forward to getting my new Russian fleet. They were one of my favorites and I am sorry to of parted with them.

As I said, these rules come with the support of Brigade Models who is creating new airships for the rules. Great looking models, take a look at the links as these are great models. 

Roads to Antietam

While waiting on a few AeroNefs for Imperial Skies and some GUPPy submarines for my proto type rules I wanted to get something on the table. While looking around I decided on a board game from the 1990s that I had not played before. These are the first two games of the award winning GCACW system. But I wanted to put an Alt-History touch to them.

This campaign starts with General Robert E Lee and his forces getting ready to cross the Rapidan River and General John Pope looking to move back along his supply lines while waiting for the returning Army of the Potomac. This is the beginning of the campaign scenario in the first game that could lead to the Battle of 2nd Manassas. The twist is that I am using the two pages of notes, my own experience with GCACW campaigns and a whole lot of reference materials. This is part what-if, part game and part educational experience.

Victory is based on a sliding scale on what the Confederate forces are doing and the date since the start of the evacuation of Union force from the Peninsula. For the first two weeks the Confederates can treat the campaign as a raid with the objectives being destroying railroad stations and infrastructure as well as trying to isolate General Pope and destroy his forces before they can link up with the Army of the Potomac. For his part, General Pope needs to win, or at least not lose so he can stay in charge in the theater. The fun is what to do if he is still winning when General McClellan arrives. Will require a ruling.ac