Homo Ludens Podcast

The gang has finally reached the end of 1862 (in Virginia at least) with Ambrose Burnside's ill fated turn at the head of the Army of the Potomac, as depicted in the new hotness that is Mark Herman's Rebel Fury. It promises dynamic movement and a new take on ACW combat, all in a simple quick playing ruleset. As fans of the C3i game Gettysburg that Rebel Fury builds on, will Pierre and Stuart enjoy this new entry from a much beloved designer or will it go the way of Burnside and be demoted and shipped off to fight on another table?

In this episode of the Homo Ludens podcast, we bring you a collective review of Plantagenet, the latest game in Volko Ruhnke's Levy & Campaign Series, designed by Francisco Gradaille and published by GMT Games. Our Discord server members—supporters of the show—learned and played this intricate medieval wargame and now share their thoughts on the strategies, historical depth, and gameplay experience. Set during the Wars of the Roses, Plantagenet adds layers of political intrigue and shifting loyalties to the familiar Levy & Campaign system.

To join future game reviews and support the show, head over to our Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871. A special thanks to GMT Games for providing a review copy of the game!

We’re Back to Berg baby! After a mixed experience crossing the mountains, the boys are trying one of Berg’s takes on Antietam, arguably the most influential battle of the American Civil War. Originally published in 1995, the same year as the first GMT edition of Three Days of Gettysburg which would spawn the modern era of GBACW, and substantially revised in 2002, Glory is a light hex and counter from one of our favorite designers. Will we like it more than GBACW? You can probably already guess!

Stonewall Jackson has had his way, and now, thanks to the recovery of some lost orders, the boys are in Maryland fighting over a couple of gaps in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Can Stuart break through the rebel lines or will he suffer the ignominious fate of performing worse than McClellan did? Listen on to hear what they think about this John Poniske design on the Battle of South Mountain, its Rick Barber map, and the beginnings of the Maryland Campaign.

This episode the gang are headed back to Manassas along Stonewall Jackson's Way (2), part of the venerable Great Campaigns of the American Civil War. Will they roll high enough to get there? Can they manage their fatigue? And most of all, do they like it enough to pay the cost? Listen to find out!

Having finally reached the end of the second day, the gang emerges from the woods of Shiloh battered but miraculously still alive. For the second time they pushed some blocks around and rolled some dice, and compare Columbia's take on Shiloh with the games they have played before. Do wooden components make for the best woods? Which Shiloh game did Pierre and Stuart like best? Answers to these questions and more lie within the final episode of Season 1 of We Intend to Move on Your Works.

It is once again April 1862 and Pierre and Stuart are lost in the woods near Shiloh Church. This time it is with the far less complex Shiloh 1862 from Worthington Publishing. How will they fair with naught but eight pages of rules to guide them? Will Stuart get extremely angry about the woods again? Was Albert Sidney Johnston's death a turning point in the war? Listen to find out as the deep dive into the Battle of Shiloh continues!

The boys decided to take a break from their chronological playthrough and mark the 160th anniversary of Gettysburg with a game about James Longstreet. Unfortunately, they got a little carried away and are still recovering from their wounds - Pierre insists the amputation was unnecessary but this podcast adheres to only the highest standards of historical accuracy. After some delay, please enjoy our thoughts on Hermann Luttmann's Blind Swords system and what it has to say about the second day of the Civil War's most famous battle.

In this episode things heat up as the team takes an extra spicy look at the venerable giant of American Civil War gaming: Great Battles of the American Civil War. The discussion centers primarily on the latest entry in the series, Into the Woods, which covers the Battle of Shiloh in early 1862, but addresses many parts of the series as a whole (at least in its most recent incarnation). Includes free vexillology lesson and extensive discussion of slavery, listener discretion is advised.

Episode 4: Montreal's Revenge sees the return of Alexandre as host while the boys discuss Amabel Holland's intriguing hex and counter game, Seven Pines; or, Fair Oaks. Amabel brings her trademark creativity and love of brittle design to this treatment to the largest battle in the Virginia theater to date, and the one that would unintentionally give Robert E. Lee his command. There's obviously plenty to discuss, and discuss it we shall!

In this spin-off series, a southerner and two Frenchmen play through the American Civil War in approximately chronological order, discussing the Lost Cause and how wargames have chosen to portray what is arguably the United States' most significant war as they play each game.

For this episode we're keeping things operational with the Late Unpleasantness by Steve Ruwe. Pierre and Stuart played The Gates of Richmond scenario about the Seven Days Battles and had... a time that's for sure. Join us as we chat Lee vs McClellan and how even something as seemingly small as a name can imply allegiance to one side or the other!

A Homo Ludens podcast exclusive episode where we talk about somewhat historical board games related stuff we read, watched and play in April 2023 and collectively review our game of the month: Polis, an intriguing euro-wargame on the Peloponnesian War.

Part 1: 00:00 - cultural debrief with Joe Dewhurst.

Watched: White Noise, Banshees of Inisherin, The first Cow, Aloners etc...

Played: Frosthaven, Land and Freedom, Maria, Hegemony... 

Musical Interlude: 50:47 LCD Soundsystem - New Body Rhumba

Part 2: 54:22 - Collective review of April's 2023 “Club de jeu” game, Polis, released by Devir, designed by Fran Diaz.

Guests for the discussion: Deborah, Joe Byer, Russ.

Outro: 01:41:26 Meryem Aboulouafa - Ya Qalbi

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

In this new series, a southerner and two Frenchmen play through the American Civil War in approximately chronological order, discussing the Lost Cause and how wargames have chosen to portray what is arguably the United States' most significant war as they play each game.

Joined by Fred, Original Flavour, Stuart and Pierre journey to scenic western Virginia to replay Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's (in)famous Valley Campaign via the classic Columbia Games block system. Along the way they discuss Jackson's reputation and playing the ACW at an operational scale.

In this new series, a southerner and two Anglo-Frenchmen play through the American Civil War in approximately chronological order, discussing the Lost Cause and how wargames have chosen to portray what is arguably the United States' most significant war as they play each game.

For the fist episode, Stuart and Pierre will talk about Manassas, a board game created by Rick Britton and published by Iron Crown Enterprises, recreates the First Battle of Manassas (also known as Bull Run) which took place in 1861 during the American Civil War. The game's design offers players a thrilling and immersive experience by providing a great tactical feel for the battle. With its sprawling gameplay, Manassas allows players to strategize and maneuver their units across the battlefield, making it a great option for history enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Interestingly, Manassas holds a unique place in the history of Iron Crown Enterprises, as it is the only historical board game ever produced by the company. It can be played as a two-player game or with up to four players, making it a versatile option for gaming groups of different sizes.

A Homo Ludens podcast exclusive episode where we talk about somewhat wargame related stuff we read, watched and play in December 2022.

Part 1: 00:00 - cultural debrief with Joe Dewhurst.

Watched: Jason Part 2, Glass Onion, The Green Knight, The Menu...

Played: Brian Boru, Baltic Empires, Mind MGMT, Nicaea, War Chest... 

Interlude: 42:03 Friday the 13th Part II Theme

Part 2: 43:43 - Collective review of October's “Club de jeu” game, Supply Lines of the American Revolution, released by Hollandspiele, designed by Amabel Holland.

Guests for the discussion: Luis, Tim, Pierre & Stuart.

Conclusion: 01:32:14 - 2022 Highlights!

Outro: 01:40:08 Vladimir Cauchemar - Blizzard (feat. Benjamin Epps)

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

A Homo Ludens podcast exclusive episode where we talk about somewhat wargame related stuff we did in October and November 2022.

Part 1: 00:00 - discussion about things we watched, read and played for those two months, with Joe Dewhurst.

Watched: Glitch, Wednesday, Pinocchio, Andor...

Played: John Company, SpaceCorp, The British Way, Unmatched...

Interlude: 01:00:25 Jazz Emu - The True Meaning of the Season

Part 2: 55:14 - Collective review of November's “Club de jeu” game, Napoléon 1806, released by Shakos Games, designed by Denis Sauvage.

Guests for the discussion: Stuart Ellis-Gorman.

Outro: 01:48:58 Anna Von Hausswolff - Thatre of Nature

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

A Homo Ludens podcast exclusive episode where we talk about somewhat wargame related stuff we did this September of 2022.

Part 1: 00:00 - discussion about things we watched, read and played in September with Joe Dewhurst. 

Movies discussed: Split Second, Pierrot le fou...

Games discussed: People Power, Here I Stand, CONSIM Game Jam, Star Wars Rebellion, Die Macher.

Interlude: 51:22 MF Doom - Deep Fried Frenz

Part 2: 55:14 - Collective review of September's “Club de jeu” game, or system in this case, Men of Iron, released by GMT Games, designed by Richard Berg.

Guests for the discussion: Stuart, Pierre & Timothy.

Outro: 01:59:10 Arvo Pärt - Silouans Song

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

A Homo Ludens podcast exclusive episode where we talk about wargame related stuff we did in summer of 2022.

Part 1: 00:00 - Summer debrief discussion about things we watched, read and played with Joe Dewhurst

Games discussed:
Bayonets & Tomahawks,
Wilderness Wars,
Brian Boru,
Combat Commander,
Ahoy,
Pax Pamir,
Pax Viking,
Pax Renaissance,
Turncoats

Interlude: 54:26 Georges Delerue - Capri

Part 2: 57:03 - Collective review of this summer’s “Club de jeu” game, Sekigahara released by GMT Games in 2011, designed by Matt Calkins.

Guests for the discussion: Stuart & Luis.

Outro: 01:59:08 Haruomi Hosono - Sports Men

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

Podcast exclusive episode where we talk about wargame related stuff that we did in June.

Part 1: 00:00 - June debrief discussion about the channel's content past and future, things we watched, read and played with Joe Dewhurst

Games discussed:

• Iron Storm,
• Watergate,
• Crescent Moon,
• Caesar!,
• The British Way,
• Heroes of Normandy,

Interlude: 40:02 Derrick (Theme) - Orchester Les Humphries

Part 2: 46:31 - Collective review of this month’s “Club de jeu”, Pax Porfiriana originally released by Sierra Madre Games and the re-released by Ion Games, designed by Matt Eklund, Phil Eklund & Jim Gutt.

Guests for the discussion: Cory & Patrick.

Outro: 01:36:08 - Heimat - Wieder Ja!

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/homoludens1871

Podcast exclusive episode where we talk about wargame related stuff that we did in May.

Part 1: 00:00 - May debrief discussion about the channel, things we watched, read and played with Joe Dewhurst

Games discussed:

• Arcs,
• Sovereign of Discord,
• Triumph & Tragedy,
• Conquest & Consequence,
• Baltic Empires,
• Nevsky,

And an update about Consim Game Jam!

Interlude: 43:56 MC5 - Kickout the Jam

Part 2: 46:31 - Collective review of this month’s “Club de jeu”, Warriors of God released by MMP, designed by Makoto Nakajima (in english by Adam Starkweather). 

Guests for the discussion: Deborah, Stuart, Pierre and Luis.

Outro: 01:42:41 - Beatmar von Verseburg - Toxicum (Britney Spears Bardcore cover)

To become part of the Homo Ludens community & support the show, send me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871