A breakthrough in naval gaming!
Greetings, fellow shut-ins! In this post, we delve into the archives to share something from the July 1981 newsletter of the Potomac Wargamers (Potomac Wargamers' Review, oftentimes known as PW Review). In it, Wally Simon and Bob Wiltrout chime in with perspectives gained from playing Battleship. Anyone who has ever perused the pages of that long running newsletter will be acquainted with the entertaining, ironic, style that often permeates--Yessir, if you like true naval wargaming....you've gotta like BATTLESHIP!
Although the Potomac Wargamers were no longer active during
my time living in Silver Spring, Maryland in the early 2000s, I had the
pleasure of meeting and gaming with Wally (albeit too briefly) and Bob.
In this piece, you get a feel for what it was like being at the table when Bob or Wally was in the room--let's just say that they kept you on your toes, particularly if, like me, you hosted games using your own rules (ouch!). In this piece, aside from the usual jibes taken at each other, along the way they take also take swipes at naval gamers, claims of "realism" in gaming, and a few other trends that were only emerging at that time. Regardless of your position on these topics, the piece is a diverting read and an informative window on another time in the hobby. As usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX to expand the images for easier reading. If the below images aren't readable, you can instead access a pdf version. Enjoy...
Excelsior!
Very cute. 😀
ReplyDeleteI'll go along with that!
DeleteBrilliant! I laughed out load and really enjoyed thus very much. I will be er look at a review if a set if Wargames rules the same ever again.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing this. I thunk you have a under appreciated and wicked sense of humor.
Although it is from three decades ago, the hit job it does on the genre is timeless (and hilarious), I agree!
Delete...actually, make that four decades ago (wow).
DeleteVery funny, as is realising it's 40 years ago and not 30!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Equal parts funny and alarming to realize that one has been kicking around long enough to drop a decade here and there :)
Delete