Before fighting the first battle of the Stalbanian-Khakistan War (which I hope to do later today), I want to comment on what I can only describe as the fast play 3 x 3 PORTABLE WARGAME phenomenon.
On the 18th January (just eleven days ago as I write this), Mark Cordone wrote the following on the PORTABLE WARGAME Facebook Page:
'I had an idea for a portable wargame variant, 15-minute portable wargames. On another Facebook page I follow, Super Cheap Wargaming, someone posted a challenge to write rules for a game that can be played in 15 minutes, 30 minutes total including set up and take down. That got me to thinking the Portable Wargame might be suitable, so here goes ...'
He then went on to outline the rules he intended to try out. Almost immediately I and several other members of the group saw the potential, and when Mark wrote his first battle report on 22nd January (just seven days ago), the surge of enthusiasm for the concept began to grow.
On 25th January, Paul David Leeson wrote a battle report on the Facebook page about using the 3 x 3 rules for an encounter set during the English Civil War and I published a battle report about a Colonial battle that I had fought using my version of the rules. On the following day I published the draft of my rules on this blog.
Yesterday, John Yorio wrote a battle report on his blog 54MM OR FIGHT! that described how he had taken my rules and modified them for fighting World War II battles. In addition, Mike Taber and Ion Dowman have expressed more than a passing interest in developing their own versions of the 3 x 3 rules for Chaco War and Medieval campaigns.
It is quite amazing that in less than a fortnight a simple idea has developed so far and so fast. This is due to the incredible ability that we now have to exchange ideas across the globe at a speed that even a few years ago would have been astounding. This has truly been a phenomenon.
That's really interesting, I might have a go at the WWII version myself this week, goodness knows I have enough kit I never use...
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough I've gone from just having an idea, through design, through to an initial five person playing with my 'Petrograd Nights' Russian Revolution game in two weeks as well with time for Tim G to come up with a set of tactical rules for it.
I think the COVID helped.
Russell K,
DeleteIt’s an interesting concept that seems to work well for wargamers who want a quick battle with minimal setup and takedown time.
It sounds as if your enforced time off has been very productive. Just wait until you are retired and can spend all your time designing and playing wargames!
All the best,
Bob
I can't believed that I haven't jumped on this yet. I need to give it a go I think.
ReplyDeleteKaptain Kobold,
DeleteI look forward to reading your impressions of the concept when you have the time to try it out.
All the best,
Bob
I'm planning to try my own with 54mm WWII plastics later today. The ease of play and speed of setup is appealing.
ReplyDeleteJenifer,
DeleteI've just fought the first battle of my mini-campaign, and it took longer to write up my notes for my blog than it did to setup the battle, fight it, and then pack it away.
I hope that you enjoy giving this concept a tryout.
All the best,
Bob
I was surprised at the reaction my little idea got, but I'm very happy so many people seem to be enjoying experimenting with the concept. As for me, I like it because it will allow for quick games and campaigns and I can explore different periods with only a handful of miniatures. Your rules are very robust and adaptable and produce fun games no matter what I do to them.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteIt might have been a simple idea, but it seems to have ‘hit the spot’ with a lot of PW users. I will be eternally grateful to you for sharing your idea with us.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI cannot help feeling that this is one of those magical moments that has the potential to transform wargaming for many of us!
Warm regards
Steve
Steve,
DeleteI agree that it is one of those concepts that has so much potential, especially for wargamers with little time and/or restricted space. It’s also fun and simple to use.
All the best,
Bob
I might try this, too. Seems it might work as a simple combat-resolution system for a SHORT campaign. I'm a little worried about using unmodified ranges from the original book for this variant, though.
ReplyDeleteDave Kimmel,
DeleteIf you follow my ongoing mini-campaign, I think that you’ll see that the rules work well for a short or mini-campaign. Most fighting takes place between adjacent grid areas, with artillery having ranges that are shorter than those in the original PW rules.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteAt this rate the Fast Play PW variant will deserve a book all to itself! Personally, I think that would be preferable to having pieces on the concept scattered about your blog and in the PW Compendium.
You could include some period variants, a description of the Snakes & Ladders campaign system in general and an example campaign, together with some scenarios.
Today in On Grid based Wargaming - but not always today Peter offers a system for fighting a multi-corps action as a series of tabletop games linked to a map divided into vertical 'lanes' very similar to the zones of the FP33PW. One could play out each 'lane' using FP33PW instead of OHW as Peter proposes, so the width of each 'lane' would be subdivided into three zones. One could also use an S&L campaign system to generate the contact/battle in the first place.
Lots of interesting ideas and possibilities for really playable campaigns and battlegames that could provide both a great entry portal for tabletop wargaming for youngsters or novices, but also a place for weary, jaded old veterans to relax and enjoy rules that could - with judicious editing and choice of font - fit on the back of a (large) postcard as Donald Featherstone suggested was the ideal.
I feel really excited by this concept!
Best wishes, Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteI suspect that you may well be right! My first thoughts were that FP3x3PW would take up a sizeable chunk of the compendium … but like Topsy, it is growing almost faster than I can keep a grasp on!
I saw Peter’s blog post about fighting multi-corps actions and also thought that the lane campaign concept was ideally suited to work alongside FP3x3PW. One thought that struck me was that the lanes don’t necessarily have to be parallel to one another. For example, the columns advancing on Madrid during the early stages of the SCW.
The momentum that is building up behind FP3x3PW seems to be attracting quite a lot of attention from amongst existing and new PW players and - as you write - it will appeal to jaded old and enthusiastic new wargamers!
All the best,
Bob
Thank you for the mention, Bob. This appears to be one of those "right idea, right time" things. I've noticed that besides being a fun game in itself, it's increased my appreciation for what I can do on my standard 6x6 and 8x8 setups.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
- John
John Y (John),
DeleteIt was my pleasure to include a mention of your WW2 version of FP3x3PW in my blog post, especially as I was already thinking about writing a ‘modern’ version.
I am thinking about using the FP3x3PW rules with a larger grid just to see if the extra space adds additional tactical options for the players.
Keep up the good work,
Bob