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Monday, 2 December 2024

Sheer genius!: An American Civil War ironclads naval wargame in a matchbox!

As my regular blog readers will know, I have mentioned the unofficial 'wargame in matchbox' challenge set by Tradgardmastare (whose blog is known as The Duchy of Tradgardland) and that had been accepted by Mark, who writes the Man of Tin blog.

Since then, others have taken up the challenge, including Peter, who writes the Grid Based Wargaming – but not always blog. Peter's game – which is an American Civil War ironclads naval wargame – is truly outstanding and really does meet the criteria hands down.

I won't steal his well-deserved thunder by writing too much about his game as I hope that my regular blog readers will follow the links to Peter's blog and see what he has devised. Suffice it to say, I think that he gives other wargamers pretty well all the information – including rules – that they would need to replicate his game.

The following photographs give a flavour of his design:

The complete wargame in a matchbox.
The contents of the matchbox.
A battle in progress!

I am of the opinion that Peter's design has commercial possibilities, and if he was to create complete 'wargames in a matchbox' and sell them online, I for one would buy a one.


Please note that the photographs shown above are © Peter of the Grid Based Wargaming – but not always blog.

20 comments:

  1. BOB,
    Peter has done a splendid job on his Matchbox ACW game. Yes, certainly it does have commercial possibilities. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      Designing a wargame that will fit into a matchbox has generated a lot of interest and discussion, and the end result has been amazing. Hopefully it will become available commercially.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Such an amazing concept I am in awe - wow! Quinn

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    Replies
    1. Glory to Ruritania (Quinn),

      I totally agree; this is an amazing design!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. I am amazed at the pure genius in the whole design and crafting, it really is top notch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donnie McGibbon,

      It is an example of what can be achieved if a designer really hones the parameters of their design to the bone. Sheer genius!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the shout out. It was a wonderful challenge created by Tradgardmastare and goes to show how portable wargames can be.

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    Replies
    1. Peter,

      Good - or in your case, excellent - wargame designs deserve to be as well known as possible. I’d strongly urge you to submit an article about your game to one of the mainstream wargame magazine, most probable Miniature Wargames.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. I think I will go with your suggestion and give it a try.

      Delete
    3. Peter,

      Great! I’m sure that it will appeal to their readership.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. Hi Bob. I’ve been following Peter’s blog, and the ‘inna matchbox’ game is inspirational (though I think I’d need my painting glasses, rather than my regular readers, to see what was happening 😯).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin S.,

      This is a real example of small being beautiful!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Brilliant looking game, it has given me ideas for my game in a matchbox.

    Willz.

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    Replies
    1. Tiberian General (Willz),

      It’s a very simple and elegant design … and has also given me something think about.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Bob -
    That ACW game in a matchbox is ... amazing! Really thinking 'inside the box', so to speak. Beats 'Battleships and Cruisers' into a cocked hat.

    I had a bit of a look into the challenge myself, and, as I had suitable pieces already (a topic for a blog post some time) I was thinking along the lines of Paddy Griffith's Napoleonic 'Generalship' game. But the thing certainly wouldn't go into a standard matchbox.

    But I have by me one of those 90x50mm match boxes that just might accommodate. Unfortunately, it still has most of its 90 matches left in it...

    War game in a matchbox - man, what a concept!
    Cheers,
    Ion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo (Ion),

      I am simply amazed at the ingenuity shown in this design. It is outstanding!

      I have been thinking about designing a wargame that will fit into a matchbox but - like you - I might have to opt for the larger size used for kitchen matches.

      Good luck with your design!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. I used our 3D printer to make some naval pieces for a funny little game about the UK/Iceland Cod Wars last year. Seeing this makes me want to hack a few simple models together for the fun of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Pavone,

      That sounds like an excellent plan! I look forward to seeing your models if and when you make them.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Got me thinking about Modern 1/3000 Naval .. hmm ,, that would fit in a matchbox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exile FoG,

      That sounds very interesting and I look forward to seeing if you can make it work.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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