A suitable post for Independence day, I hope. I came across this brochure recently. People may remember there was quite a spate of wargame activity in 1976 over the bicentennary of the American War of Independence/American Revolutionary War. I don't remember ever coming across these rules this side of the pond (and I don't think Empire ever achieved the same foothold over here as in the US) so I can't comment on them, but I thought the brochure might be of general interest.
5 comments:
Has anyone ever seen these rules? I am particularly interested that they are based on a map-type campaign game.
Interesting post and a bit of a trip down memory lane. These were actually the second set of AWI rules from Mr. Bowden. Prior to Empire, Inc., Scot was in partnership with Mr. Ken Ray. Both Scot and Ken hailed from my part of Texas and we play-tested most of their early rules in the local shop. Their first set of AWI rules, published in 1974, were a more conventional set of 1:20 tactical rules using percentile dice for casulaty and melee resolution, and we played them quite a bit. Around the time that Empire (the rules) were being developed the partnership foundered and Scot "suddenly" had this whole new set of AWI rules that were published in 1976 (as noted) by his new venture. "Redcoat" never got much play here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, as those of us still playing AWI stuck with "Minuteman", the older set.
Regards;
Bill
I still have a set of Minuteman. They are very much 'of their time', rather too fiddly and too much mental arithmetic for today's wargamer i suspect. I think Redcoat was reviewed in either Mil Mod or Battle - i'll have a look. I've been after a set for years.
DC;
I suspect that your analysis is correct, but I find that a bit sad really. Considering that virtually every gamer carries a cel phone with a calculator function, and that many use iPads or tablets in their gaming, the fact that we consider games "too fiddly" or to contain "too much mental arithmetic" is sad.
But, I also don't like card-activation, IGOUGO turn sequences, systems that abstract or eliminate casualty removal, or the lack of at least brief written orders. I guess I'm as much a "fossil" as many of the old rules sets. Might be why I only game solo or with my Son these days. Not blaming you for the analysis, it is probably very accurate, just blaming the passing of time.
Bill
Sir William,
we had many good battles with Minuteman during the '70s. We'd still be playing them except after college we scattered. If I lived in your part of the world believe me you would have a new gaming friend.
Wes
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