Once again, been a while

 Yes, the blog and I are alive.  Summer is over, classes have started, but gaming is back on the agenda. As I have mentioned for some time, I am very slowly working on BFE3.  This is a project that is more about clarifying things and simplifying the game.  Ridding unnecessary complication or rules that just don't get used is the priority.  But I am also wanting to learn more about the military systems of the "Native" armies.  When I wrote BFE (1) I tapped into the secondary materials that were to hand.  Frankly, much of it was more popular history than scholarship.  I want to remedy that by looking more closely at recent scholarship. It might not change much.  Clearly the Zulus had a well known military structure and doctrine .  The Ansars of the Mahdi/Khalifa also had systems that need more attention.  But whether this will change the way BFE is designed and played, I am not sure.  

Another influence on BFE3 will be the work that my group is doing to develop an ACW version of the game.  This has been very instructive and resulted in some interesting new mechanics.  The game is set at a higher level (regimental as opposed to the company) but there is cross-over conceptually and I have found it useful in contemplating ways to simplify the colonial game.

Progress is slow but stay tuned.

Of course, while all this is happening I am enjoying photography and local travel in our van.  

Towton refought

 As part of a world-wide Wars of the Roses event, we contributed by playing Towton.  It was down to us to see which side - Yorkists or Lancastrians -- would take the prize of the crown.  Well...it was the Lancastrians!

The event was held outside and was one of the first games we had payed as a group since Covid restrictions were imposed some 7 months earlier.  It was great to see everyone and push lead.

We used a house-set of rules and it played really well.

Here some shots of the battle:

Gaming on the horizon!

 Well it looks like a game is on the horizon.  Partly due to changes in public policy and partly due to better weather, we are going to play a large game outside.  I am delighted.  We have been doing zoom games and meet every week for a gab-session, but it will be delightful to actually see the crew around a table pushing toy soldiers around.  I know that those of you in the US and UK have had this opportunity for a little while already.  Happy gaming, all.