Announcing the 2nd expansion pack for the Platoon Leader game system...

H&S GAMES is proud to announce Red Devils!  This will be the 2nd expansion pack for the Platoon Leader system and is slated for release in Jan. 2015.  Fight for survival in Arnhem circa September, '44 and see if you can change history!  More updates as they are made available.

1,000 views!!!

Episode 1.0 of the Hexes and Soldiers Wargame Podcast has officially reached the 1,000 views mark!   Thanks for the views everyone!

"But what have you done for us lately?"-

I realize i need to dust off ye olde show a bit more often and will do my best to do so.  As for show 39.0 and 40.0 it looks like, in no particular order, alternate WW2 history and games.  Then i hope to land my first interview (just need to procure a mic).  So keep your ears open!

Thanks again, you are the best listeners out there!

Jason

As a side note, H&S GAMES has a new page here:
https://www.facebook.com/HEXESANDSOLDIERSGAMES

cheers

Platoon Leader 2nd Printing Show n Tell

"Don't blame me i'm the designer."  -Anon.

Seriously though,  i decided to post some visual aid regarding the adjustments and improvements made for the 2nd printing of  Platoon Leader.

First off, i threw in a watermark  to break up the overwhelming monotony of white that previously permeated the rulebook.  Then i further broke up the uninviting text into twin columns.  I also numerically notated headings and paragraphs for ease of reference.

Additionally, in a previous post i had mentioned that i would be taking out the example of play as I had posted an illustrated one on BGG but decided that would be a bad idea.  Instead, i updated and corrected the old version for the 2nd printing.  

This time around, a return to "keep it simple" was the goal.  

The map has been updated to coincide stylistically with the map that is included in Cold Combat.  My intention with the first printing map was to go with a kind of hyperstylized art but in retrospect i think this at least partially impeded playability.  The counter sheet has also been updated and a two sided player aid sheet with graphic color watermark is now included.

Among the new additions are graphic, color examples.  I didn't go hog wild here but did find it beneficial to throw a few in which helps illustrate key points much better.

Finally, I figured an index never hurt anyone either so added that as well.  But again, the most important update is the corrected errata.  You can try as hard as you like but seemingly inevitably there will be something that escapes your proofreading eyes. At least this printing has knocked a fair chunk of errata "out of the park".  

So hopefully this expose sheds some light on the new 2nd printing of Platoon Leader.  I am currently still fine tuning the advanced A.I. for the Germans and hope to have this up as a free file on BGG soon.  Then it looks like a Market Garden expansion where a number of things will make their first appearance within the Platoon Leader system.  

Interested parties can pick up the 2nd printing of Platoon Leader as well as the first expansion Cold Combat now via BGG or EBAY.

Thanks for reading. 

Platoon Leader 2nd Printing...

Just a quick update regarding the 2nd printing of Platoon Leader:


 I am excited to announce that I have officially sold out of the first printing and have streamlined the rules which will be included in the 2nd printing. I have removed the example of play as there is a much more clear and concise one up on BoardGameGeek and though it portrays the initial phase of the first scenario from Cold Combat! The first expansion for Platoon Leader, it still serves as a fine introduction to the game system. I have also numerically notated each rule headline and paragraph throughout the rule book for ease of reference. Perhaps most importantly, all current errata has been corrected.


 As already stated, the map which is included in the second printing has a much more conventional appearance not unlike the map included in Cold Combat! The current Platoon Leader map pic that is up on BoardGameGeek and EBAY should reflect these changes soon.


 I've been putting the finishing touches on a much more detailed A.I. for the Germans which I intend to release as a free file on BoardGameGeek. The development is proving to be tricky though as the more detailed and structured a systematic decision process becomes, the more mechanical and machine like the Germans become.


 I am also still looking into setting up a singular H&S GAMES site which would be home base for all related game news and topics such that i would no longer need to spread the word over numerous sites.


The second expansion for Platoon Leader is still pretty much up in the air.  I had considered a setting that consisted of locations in and around Germany but may pre-empt that with a Market Garden themed expansion.  Either way, tanks will make their appearance.


 That said, any orders taken from here on out will get you the second printing of Platoon Leader! And i encourage you to bundle with the first expansion Cold Combat! for some generous savings. Finally, as always, you get free shipping within the continental 48. Interested parties may take a look at either BoardGameGeek or Ebay.

Cheers, JMK

New Cold Combat! Play by Play Up...

So i took some time yesterday and played through the first third of the first scenario that comes with Cold Combat! the first expansion pack for Platoon leader.  But that's not all.  I also took pics and notated the moves so i could compose a kind of play by play example.  So far those of you who might be a bit confused or for those of you who have yet to pull the trigger and are simply curious, i encourage you to take a look at either file entry for Platoon Leader or Cold Combat! on boardGameGeek and see for yourself.  As some of you may know, there is also a series of videos regarding a walk through of Platoon Leader on YOUTUBE. Many of you may find these illuminating while others not so much.  This was the first time i had ever presented a "live" video so i found it slightly difficult to focus (mentally that is).  As such, the new Cold Combat! walk through should take precedence over these videos as it is in my opinion more clear and concise.

Check it out here:
http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/110029/cold-combat-play-play

or here:
http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/110028/cold-combat-play-play

Again, for those of you who are playing Platoon Leader and or Cold Combat! remember to check their entries on BGG regularly for updates etc.

Cold Combat! errata:
It seems the expansion kicked off without a hitch, ok one minor hitch.  The player aid sheet that is included needs a correction.  The Entering New Sectors paragraph, should read:

"Upon entering a new sector, perform chit draw.  If new sector is entered during  allied command phase, finish said command phase before checking.  If Germans are present perform German command phase for newly drawn units then whichever side had the least amount of command actions will be the first to continue in the action phase.  If new sector is entered during allied action phase.  Interrupt said phase immediately and draw chits.  If Germans are present continue with allied action phase then perform German action phase. 

Thanks,
JMK

Update...

After a long overdue podcast episode and the official release of Cold Combat! I've decided to relax a bit. Since my old monitor went out recently i've been sitting mesmerized before my new 27 inch monitor, enjoying hockey, and recovering from a root canal but more importantly, i've dusted off an old classic.

Patton's Best is a Solitaire game of tank command. You control your Sherman tank (17 variations) and crew assigned to the 4th Armored Division as you move out of the "Cobra Breakout" following the Normandy invasion. Move into a new territory and deal with what you encounter. You will need to manage your crew's actions, your tank's facing, and attempt to take out enemy forces without losing your tank. Combat system is abstracted to not take place on a map, but rather on a sector grid, with positions and movement abstracted to only change in how they relate to your tank.

Needless to say i have ideas, namely switching the tank for an infantry platoon or squad but figured i should play this thing until it becomes second nature before i go "fiddling" with it.  I found it interesting that there were a number of similarities between this and The Hunters from Consimpress.  I think it's apparent that they drew at least part of their inspiration from Patton's Best and That's not a knock, I commend them.  It is unconventional in that there is no map board such as one would find in your typical wargame.  Instead, you are provided with a kind of overview/area movement map which keeps track of your entry and exit points as well as terrain type.




You are also provided with a battle board which consists of a single, centered hex which extends outward into a number zones that are further divided into three levels of distance.
 Otherwise, you get a slew of charts.  The AI for the Germans is rigid but interesting and as i began playing this i got a feeling i havent gotten in a long time, that childish, giddiness mixed with excitement as my adventure began.
Time is of the essence, literally, as you roll to see how much time passes as various operations are conducted.  What is more, you never know what you might run into as random rolls determine the opposition.

My tank of choice:


After action reports are provided to keep track of your excursions:



Needless to say, much is abstracted and you have to be a bit open minded with a tad of imagination but otherwise, this game is golden.  It is rich in detail, and the amount of time that must have went into design and development has to have been staggering.  So if you've seen Fury and thought, what would that be like?  Well, this may be as close as you'll ever get, or ever want to get.

Does any of the following mean anything to you?

 

Suomussalmi

Sisu

Aerosani  

Motti

Chapter H notes

Reindeer

 

No?  How about this:

 

That's right, it's official.  Hakkaa Pellaae, the long awaited, legendary Finnish module for ASL will be up for pre-order some time around the second week of November.   

If Santa fills his sack with these, i fear for Santa's safety!

 

Thank you MMP, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!