The wargame that proved to be the final catalyst in the development of MEGABLITZ took place one Saturday morning in Chris Willey's basement. A scenario set during the German invasion of France was set up, and a modified version of Chris Kemp's NOT QUITE MECHANISED (NQM) was used.
The game was interesting ... but over lunch we all decided that there were a few changes that needed to be made. In particular we all felt that a unit's tactical intent/order state needed to be factored into the combat system ... and within a matter of minutes the SMART order system was devised, as was a combat resolution chart (or as it came to be called, the Combat Matrix).
The rest is – as they say – history.
Here are some of the photographs taken in Chris Willey's basement that day. They are not the best quality in the World ... but they give you some idea of how the battle progressed.
The game was interesting ... but over lunch we all decided that there were a few changes that needed to be made. In particular we all felt that a unit's tactical intent/order state needed to be factored into the combat system ... and within a matter of minutes the SMART order system was devised, as was a combat resolution chart (or as it came to be called, the Combat Matrix).
The rest is – as they say – history.
Here are some of the photographs taken in Chris Willey's basement that day. They are not the best quality in the World ... but they give you some idea of how the battle progressed.
Your buildings and my toys, as far as I can see. Most of the Germans now make up 2 Panzer and 3 Motorised Inf Divisions.
ReplyDeleteTim Gow,
ReplyDeleteI think that you are right about the buildings and roads.
As to the toys ... I am pleased to hear that they are still seeing active service.
All the best,
Bob
I still have all the Brits too - albeit spread among several Megablitz divisions.
ReplyDeleteTim Gow,
ReplyDeleteI still have quite a few photographs to sort through, and there are probably quite a few more example of your models and figures still to come.
One thing that I have not yet found are my Hungarians. There are enough of them to enable me to 'build' two or three Megablitz Divisions.
All the best,
Bob
Some fascinating archival material here!
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
ReplyDeleteThere is more to come in due course!
All the best,
Bob
Very cool.. what scale are these in? Looks to be 10mm? Looks like a fun time though regardless..
ReplyDeleteMr Lee
ReplyDeleteThese, sir, are 'proper' 20mm toys - and plenty of them!
Wow..Really? Plenty I can see, but very impressed with the sheer number of them then and at 'proper' 20mm to boot.. good show!
ReplyDeleteMr Lee,
ReplyDeleteAs Tim Gow has already commented, all the World War II battles we have fought using the MEGABLITZ rules system used 20mm-scale vehicles and figures.
The big advantage was the sheer amount of stuff that we already owned or could get hold of at a reasonable price. For example, a lot of the trucks have started life as cheap 'toys' (often found in the sale bins in toy shops and supermarkets). A coat of paint, a bit of weathering, and the addition of some makings ... et voila a new generic military truck has been added to your fleet of trucks!
All the best,
Bob