White Dog Games

Bosworth Field

2012-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

This is an example of a counter icon by artist Lionel Liron for Loyaulte Me Lie, a game about the battle of Bosworth Field which essentially ended the War of the Roses. Loyaulte Me Lie is scheduled for release in May-June 2012. The game will feature, in addition to Lionel's counter art, a game map by Tim Allen with terrain based on recent battlefield archaeology. Tom Cundiff will fashion the counter designs for the game using Lionel's art.

All Is Lost To Me: Pavia 1525

2012-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

All Is Lost To Me:Pavia 1525 has been published in both boxed and folio formats.

The battle of Pavia in 1525 has been hailed as the first modern battle, marking the rise of hand-held firearms as a tool of warfare. In this titanic clash - the most decisive of the Italian Wars, caused by French territorial ambitions in first the Kingdom of Naples and then the Duchy of Milan - the French troops were smashed by the Spanish Imperial Army. King Francis I was captured and the cream of his nobility slaughtered. France's greatest defeat since Agincourt, the battle dramatically swung the balance of power in Western Europe.
Blasting its way to prominence in the Battle of Pavia in 1525 the harquebus became the bench-mark for an entire species of guns whose basic design persisted until the 19th century. The harquebus fires round soft lead balls at a muzzle velocity of about 1,000 feet per second which will, at 50 yards, penetrate about 3mm of steel plate. Guns before the harquebus were crude, fired from the waist and ignited like a firework. By comparison, the harquebus was a revolution. It provided a wooden stock, shaped to allow it to nestle into the shoulder, which now meant that you could aim the gun.
Morale checks are an important aspect of All Is Lost To Me: Pavia 1525. They help simulate the type of combat in the subject era and represent both sides of the same combat effectiveness coin: morale and organization. Morale is the willingness of a unit to stand and fight and organization reflects the ability of a unit to maintain cohesion or formation. A unit becomes “disorganized” as a result of combat or when certain terrain is entered or crossed. For example, a harquebusier unit entering a marsh or crossing a stream becomes disorganized. The ability of a disordered unit to conduct combat is lessened. Similarly, if a unit has a morale problem, it may not fight as well and cannot initiate combat.
Lowered morale and panic can be contagious. If units in a hex are disorganized or routed, friendly units nearby may themselves become disorganized. Requirements for morale checks of friendly units adjacent to routed and disorganized units simulate this chain reaction of disorganization from one unit to another and are independent of corps affiliation.
Game design and counter art by Lionel Liron. Counter design by Tom Cundiff. Cover art by Mike Mirfin. Vassal module being developed by Art Bennett.

Shield Wall Set Up

2012-01-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

This image was taken from the Vassal module for Shield Wall built by Art Bennett. Units are shown in their set up positions. Production counter and map art for the game was done by Daniel Lamb.

Neuve Chapelle AAR

2012-01-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

(Note that the game map used in this AAR is the play test map. A production map will be used for publication.)

Bob DeMaio and I (Hermann Luttmann) played a brutal game of Neuve Chapelle last night. I've attached pictures for your enjoyment. This time I deployed my Brits one space away from any German units (to avoid friendly fire) and did not stack the entire game, unless it was necessary. My first turn went horribly wrong as the prelim bombardment did nothing and the assaults were butchered by horrible die rolls. Not only that, but once again Britsh command was crap as three out of four divisions were out of command. By the end of the first day, I had made little progress and suffered awful casualties. As you can see, the Germans started the second day in great position and throughout the day pushed me back foot-by-foot until breaking through my middle on the third day. Great game and very exciting.

Shield Wall AAR

2012-01-14T08:01:00.001-08:00

This is an AAR on the game of Shield Wall provided by Chris Hansen. This AAR has eight photos that shows action at different points of play. All images can be clicked to enlarge. This play uses the play test map and counters. The production map and counters were done by Danial Lamb and can be seen at White Dog Games.

First turn:
Game set up image

Normans
I started the Normans a little conservatively, advancing everyone just a hex or two on the first turn. Archers performed amazingly. Four huscarls lost their shields and only one archer ran out of arrows. No Norman Melee or Saxon Rout this turn.

Saxon
I kept the Saxon leaders close to the front line so they could aid in rallys and was able to rally two huscarls back to shield status. No Saxon Melee combat or anything following this turn this turn.
Picture of first turn

Image of the board at the end of the first turn

Second turn:
Normans
I decided to get aggressive and advance my Norman markers up the hill. The knights primarily led the way with archers taking positions nearby to try and weaken the shield wall before their attack. The Norman archers performed well again. One huscarls lost his shield and another was eliminated by shots from two different archers. The Brenton and French archers weren't so lucky. Brentons lost one archer and the French lost both.
The Normand melee combat phase didn't go terribly well for them. The Brenton units and most of the Normans didn't score a single hit, even though knights were on the front line. The French units fared better by eliminating one furd and reducing two huscarls to shield down status.

Saxons
The Saxon units adjacent to the eliminated huscarls unit survive their route check.
A few saxon units, including one leader move to the front lines to fill in the gaps left by the eliminated furd and huscarls units. Both of them are in EZOC and will Melee combat.

Almost all Saxon Melee combat has King of the Hill DRM bonus applied as the Normans were never able to breach the ridge line. Only one French Foot unit advanced into the spot occupied by the dead furd. (The huscarls unit that was eliminated died through arrow fire so no one advanced into his spot.)
The Saxon Melee combat goes amazingly well for them. They throw down several sixes and fives and eliminate a French Knight and Foot unit, two Norman Knights and a Foot unit, and one Breton Knight.

The Breton units fail their moral check and retreat from the hill but the Normans and French pass theirs. The Saxons roll for Involuntary pursuit but roll a 1 and don't have to do it. The Saxons also opt not to do free movement so as to maintain their hilltop advantage.

Image of the board at the end of the 2nd Turn

Third Turn:
Normans
The rally goes well. The Breton leader rallies a knight, the two Norman leader each rally a knight, and the French leader rallies nothing.
The Norman units once again move up the hill to face the now weakened huscarls line. Archers move to out of the way positions that still have clear shots.

The archers do very well. 2/5 hit their targets and none are eliminated. A furd and huscarls are eliminated. I conduct a Saxon route check immediately for the adjacent units. Both units pass the morale check.
In Melee combat, the Breton units eliminate one furd and reduce one huscarls unit to shield down status.

The Norman units eliminate one fyrd and in a combined effort between a Knight and a foot soldier, are able to reduce and eliminate one huscarls unit. The adjacent units conduct a rout check. One huscarls unit fails and is reduced to shield down and a furd passes. (The other adjacent unit is a leader and does not conduct a rout check.) The Saxon leader Gurth is reduced to shield down status. The French also reduce one huscarls to shield down status.

All Saxon rout checks were completed immediately upon elimination of huscarls so I move on to the Saxon phase.

Saxon
Rally goes okay. Two huscarls units are restored from the rally pile and one gets his shield wall back up.

Since it is turn three, Reinforcements are rolled for the first time. The roll is a 2. No reinforcements.

Saxon movement occurs. Rallied huscarls units move to fill in gaps in the front line along the hill.

Saxon combat doesn't go terribly well. Only one unit is hit from the French and Breton forces (which is enough to initiate a rout for each of them). Suddenly though when the battle gets to the French, the die luck turns and the Saxons start hitting just about everything. A knight and two foot units are eliminated. Half of the French units are dead.

The Breton and Normans pass their rout check but the French do not (they have not been lucky this turn). The two knights remaining on the hill retreat.

I roll for involuntary pursuit and don't get it. (But for the purpose of playtesting I change my die roll to a 6 and charge the adjacent Saxon units down the hill). The units don't roll terribly well though and only eliminate one knight, even with the charge and berserker DRM bonuses.

Image of the turn 3 involuntary pursuit

As the French leader Robert is left somewhat in the open, the Saxons elect for a free movement and two units move down to fight him. Other units move to strengthen the line and rearrange position (primarily to get a leader off the front line). The free movement gamble paid off as Robert was eliminated.

(I realize that I screwed up and performed Involuntary Combat before Free Saxon Movement but each unit only attacked once regardless so I don't think it affected play too much).

Image of the board at the end of turn 3

Fourth Turn:
Normans:
The Normans get very lucky on their Rally phase with all leaders save William being successful and rallying their maximum number of troops! Lucky for the Saxons, Robert is dead so no French can be rallied.

Image of the board after Norman movement

Archers do reasonably well. One of them is eliminated but they manage to eliminate one furd and one huscarls (which due to the rout check, also eliminates two more furds). There is now a hole in the Saxon line in hexes 1506 and 1607 with no units in the hexes behind them.

The Saxon Melee goes well. Two huscarls units and two furds are eliminated and several units have moved onto the hill top. Everything involved in Saxon rout check either passes or is a leader.

Saxons
Rally goes well for Saxons. Four huscarls are back from the dead and shields go up along the line. At this point, only one huscarls unit is in the dead pile.

Reinforcements roll a 4 so two fyrds appear in 1101.

Movement fills in gaps in the line as best as possible.

Melee combat goes very well for the Saxons. Only one Breton knight and no French units were hit but tons of Norman knights and foot units are eliminated this turn. The resulting advances that the Saxons can do restore the line.

The Bretons fail their rout check but the Normans pass it.

After the Bretons retreat from the hill, the Saxons roll a 6 for the Involuntary pursuit. Six Saxons were adjacent to routed units and charge.

Image of the Turn 4 Involuntary Pursuit

(Again, I made a mistake and did Involuntary Saxon Combat separate from Free Saxon Combat but each unit only attacked once)

The Involuntary combat results in two dead Breton foot units. The Saxons didn't roll great and all of the knights lived.

The Saxons elect a free movement and move several of the rallied huscarls to the gaps in the front line. These result in combat and the rolls go very well. Three Norman knights are eliminated after the combat. Also, a Saxon Furd is within movement range of three Norman archers and moves past them all eliminating them. Only the Breton archer and one Norman archer remain on the board.

At this point, 23 Norman, French, and Breton units are dead and only 8 Saxon units are dead. The Normans are now demoralized.

I realized that a huscarls unit that hadn't moved in the free movement phase could reach William. It was a little bit cheating to do so since reactive combat was done, but I moved him and rolled a 5. William failed his save roll and took an axe to the face. The game was done and the Saxons had won with instant victory. Even without that though, I don't think the Norman side had a chance. The Saxons were able to rally too many troops and just had better luck in combat. (Or I played the Normans very poorly... I've already started thinking of some new strategies for them.)

Image of the game board at the end of Turn 4 (before the huscarls unit killed William)

Rommel Strikes Back

2011-12-26T09:42:00.000-08:00

Rommel Strikes Back is in play test. The 1942 campaign scenario has been written and is being tested. Other scenarios are planned. RSB is a supply and resource management game based on the Western Desert War Campaign of World War Two. A computer game, RSB will be available on both the PC and the Mac as well as Linus. The release date is March 2012.

Eagles Across the Sambre

2011-10-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Eagles Across the Sambre simulates Napoleon’s preemptive campaign to win a political victory by occupying Brussels before Allied armies converged on and invaded France. The historic campaign was lost and won as much by maneuver as battle and, for that reason, the game emphasizes the strategic importance of movement and the effects of command friction, weather, and fog of war on the combatants. Eagles attempts to give the player the experience of commanding a side in the campaign in a simple, fast-play format. Counters represent divisions. Excellent game map by Tim Allen. Free with purchase of a regular game.

Neuve Chapelle Counters

2011-10-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

A second round of design of Neuve Chapelle counters has begun. Here are some draft prototypes from Tom Cundiff. In response to feedback we are trying to make the counters cleaner and easier to read.

Call For Play Testers

2011-09-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

We are asking for volunteers to play test Neuve Chapelle, a game set in early World War One before the big trench stalemate. A battle that flowed back and forth, Neuve Chapelle featured the first concentrated barrage of the war and the first use of aerial photographs. Neuve Chapelle will be a commercially printed, boxed game with die-cut counters. An example of Tom Cundiff’s counters for the game appears below. Play testers will receive a gratis copy of the game and printed credit on game materials. Please contact us if you would like to play a role in the development of this new game.

Games in Progress

2011-08-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Several games are currently in progress: Shield Wall, Neuve Chapelle, and Pavia. Pavia is close to publication. Shield Wall is being play tested. The rules for Neuve Chapelle have been written and counters are now being created. A fourth game is nearly finished: The Waterloo Campaign.

Pavia Map Section

Games on the horizon are Bosworth Field and Afrika Korps (titles are tentative). Afrika Korps is planned as a computer-based board game. Bosworth Field is being considered as a printed game with die-cut counters.

Shield Wall

2011-08-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who responded to our call for play testers for Shield Wall. A play test kit will be sent out soon. If you do not receive a play test kit it is because we had too many volunteers. However, we may conduct a second play testing with different play testers. The game will have counters and map created by Dan Lamb. An example of Dan's counters is below.

Call for Play Testers

2011-08-18T09:42:00.001-07:00

We are currently calling for play testers for Shield Wall: The Battle of Hastings, 1066 AD. Click te above link to contact us at White Dog Games if you would like to participate. Play testers will receive a free copy of the boxed, die-cut game and printed credit upon production. The game, as planned, will have a 22” x 17” game board and about 120 counters and markers.

Hannibal Against Rome Q&A

2011-07-25T13:06:00.001-07:00

Hannibal Against Rome Rules Questions

1. Is the action phase (SAP dice - Movement - Combat ) going on forever till one of the players roll a 5 or 6 or does it end when every unit have been moved or fought? That is, is an action phase only 1 "SAP - Movement -Combat" or many in a row?

Action phases (side 1 movement/side 2 movement/combat) for a year are repeated until one player rolls a 5-6. When that happens the Winter Quarters Check is performed, after which the year ends.

2. If I move a unit (stack) into an enemy´s ZOC (and it´s my initiative) can he just slip away without combat if he wants during his movement phase, unless I have him surrounded with units?
From 8.3 EZOC Effects: A stack in an EZOC at the start of the action phase can freely move during the action phase, but must stop if it again moves into an EZOC.

Interpret “at the start of the action phase” to mean at the start of his movement phase which follows yours in the action phase.

So the answer would be that the enemy unit you moved adjacent to can indeed slip away but must stop if it enters an EZOC in which case it is subject to combat at your initiative.

3. It says in 11.2 B that a stack can only attack and BE ATTACKED only once per action phase. Again, is that a series of SAP dice - Movement - Combat or..?

From 9.1 A: NOTE: If either side rolls a 5-6 SAP, the current action phase is the last of the year and the year ends following the Winter Quarters step.

There are none or multiple action phases (side 1 move/side 2 move/combat) in a year. Rule 11.2 B applies to each action phase, not the whole year. So a unit can attack or be attacked multiple times in a year, as many times as there are action phases.

4. Veteran units that take a step loss are flipped over to half strength but recruit units are just promoted to veteran step loss units keeping their combat strength, right? Does a unit suffering step loss ever get out of it and in that case when? If not how do you keep track of who has taken a step loss that action phase?

From 11.2 G: If a veteran unit takes a step loss, flip the counter to its back or step loss side. If a recruit unit must undergo a step loss, the recruit unit is converted (promoted) to a step loss veteran unit. If the stack survives without a step loss, any recruit units in the stack are promoted to full veteran status.

Recruit units that took a step loss are converted to a veteran step loss unit. In other words, the recruit unit was beaten up pretty badly but gained experience. A unit cannot recover from step loss.

Rule 11.2 G applies after each combat. A recruit unit is promoted immediately after combat to veteran status. If it took a step loss it is promoted to a veteran unit at depleted strength (step loss). In the next combat in the year the new veteran unit could take a step loss and be eliminated.

House Rule: During the New Unit Production phase, a side that is producing a new unit may opt to rebuild a unit in the field from reduced strength (step loss) to full strength in lieu of creating a new unit of the same type. If this option is chosen, flip the selected unit to its full strength side. The selected unit does not have to be in the production city. The trade off is that the producing side gains only a half unit but the unit is immediately in the field.

5. If I move a unit to a hex adjacent to an enemy controlled city and an enemy unit also adjacent to the city hex, can that enemy unit move (if it´s his turn to move) into the city or is it "besieged" the moment I land my unit in the hex?

From 1.3 Definitions: Under Siege – A city is said to be under siege when any adjacent hex is occupied by an unfriendly land stack.

From Rule 9.3 C: If a city is under siege, no units can enter the city hex, except by fleet in the case of a port.

Immediately when an enemy unit moves into a hex adjacent to a city occupied by the opposition it is considered to be besieged. In the question example, the side wishing to reinforce the city apparently did not have the initiative and just got there too late to enter the city.

The Waterloo Campaign

2011-07-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Current being developed is a fast-play simulation of The Waterloo Campaign. This will be a corps and partial corps level game with marching (column) and combat (line) stacking rules, variable movement allowance due to communication and other potential operational problems, effects of weather, and fog of war. Rules for solitaire play. Partial game map shown above is by Tim Allen.

Shield Wall Progess

2011-07-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Development of Shield Wall, the computer game, is progessing well. Above is a screen shot of the game with a few test units loaded. Counter images are based on Bayeaux Tapestry art.

Battle of the Bulge

2011-07-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

Battle of the Bulge is now available. A computer game, Bulge has 142 counters and 36 turns. Each turn represents one-half day. The game can be played with a computer opponent being either the Allied side or the German side. The computer has three levels of difficulty: easy, medium and hard. Both sides can adjust deployment before the game starts. Each hex of the map represents about two miles and units represent divisions, brigades or regiments. Supply, muddy roads, air support, and weather play a role. There are several variants for German force levels. OOB by Dennis L. Bishop.

Shield Wall

2011-05-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Under development is a game based on the 1066 battle of Hastings or Senlac Ridge.

Wake Island

2011-05-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Dennis Bishop is doing research into a possible Wake Island game and provides this update.
"Wake is turning out to be quite interesting. I have Mike Taylor’s prelim stuff on Wake and I have found that he is wrong in several areas. All that I have do is put my research into context. One thing that does not help is that 149 of the Marines on Wake were the Pioneer platoon and the USMC documentation for 1940 pioneer platoons has gone AWOL from the USMC 1937 – 1940 Handbook on organizations. I also know that 49 officers and Marines were assigned as gunners, allowing only about five trained gunners per gun, but one Battery, F I think, had no crews. Marine infantry squads in 1941 (these were probably the 200 who later arrived) consisted of 9 men: corporal, BAR gunner, assistant BAR gunner, and six riflemen. There were BARs on the islands because Corporal Hamas is noted as unpacking the guns. My challenge now is to divide the known gun crews and MG crews (a .30 cal. Machinegun had a crew of six allotted: Corporal, Gunner, Assist. Gunner, and three Ammo Bearers as an example) and there were 30 of these on the islands, although about three lacked crews. In summary, I am sorting out just how many combat troops were actually on the islands. Every Marine had am 03’ Springfield issued, and there were enough to supply the rest of the battalion when it arrived (it never arrived), and these were offered to the contractors. However, few of the contractors accepted a combat role, and most preferred to sit the battle out or act in support capacities. I also have not run down the medical staff as of this time. The reason for this is that the 449 Marines listed as being on the island includes ALL Marines regardless of the duty roster assignments. Then there are the Japanese – this will present an entirely different amount of searching."

Call for Play Testers

2011-03-30T16:37:00.001-07:00

White Dog Games is asking for volunteers to play test a new game by Lionel Liron.

All Is Lost To Me is a simulation of the
battle of Pavia, fought in Italy on February
24, 1525 between the French army of King
Francis I, which was besieging Pavia, and
the Spanish-Imperial forces of Generals
Charles Quint, Charles de Lannoy, Viceroy
of Naples, and Fernando Francesco
Davolos, Marquis de Pescara, which had
come to lift the siege of Pavia. It ends,
historically, in the capture of the French
king and the defeat of his army. As a
prisoner, Francis wrote “To inform you of
how the rest of my ill-fortune is
proceeding, all is lost to me save honor and
life, which is safe...”

The game is currently in PDF form for play testing. Play testers are required to provide detailed comments on the clarity and efficacy of the rules and an after action report of a played game. These reports can be submitted by email.

All Is Lost To me is planned as a printed, boxed, die-cut game. Selected play testers who complete the required play test feedback described above to our satisfaction will receive a complimentary copy of the printed game and play test credit in the printed version.

Volunteers can apply to Michael at KennedyMW@aol.com.

Knights of the Sky Rules

2011-03-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

The rules and user guide to Knights of the Sky have been posted. This is a free game from White Dog Games that simulates aerial combat of World War One.

Click here to view the rules PDF.

Last King of Scotland

2011-03-04T12:59:00.001-08:00

Designed by Dennis L. Bishop, The Last King of Scotland is a game that simulates the Tanzania-Uganda War of 1979 that ousted Uganda's President for Life Idi Amin Dada. With a seeming fascination for all things Scottish, Idi Amin referred to himself as the "uncrowned king of Scotland". When Amin fled Uganda in a sense he became "The Last King of Scotland." Each game turn is a month of real time. Each hex covers 30 miles, and units range from platoons to battalions. Map work by Richard A. Dengel and counters by Tom Cundiff.

ZAMA

2011-02-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

White Dog Games is offering a free game on the battle of Zama, which ended the career of Hannibal, arguably the greatest general of all time. Above is a snap of the game in historical start position as it looks in Vassal. The game will be published as a Vassal module as well as in print-and-play format.

September 1939: The Invasion of Poland

2011-01-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

September 1939 is now available. This combuter-based board game for Windows is a simulation of the 1939 invasion of Poland. The game lasts 15 turns and there are aseveral options to provide challenges to the players commanding either the Polish or the German side. A computer AI will play either side which makes for strong solitaire play.

Ligny

2011-01-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

A game on the battle of Ligny is a work in progress. Prototype Ligny map and counters is shown. Counter demos by Tom Cundiff. The game will be a division-level, fast-play game employing concepts of Napoleonic era warfare while keeping rules simple.

Anzio II: The Fight for the Beachhead, 1944

2010-12-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

Announcing the release of Anzio II with new counters and a beautiful new map by Tim Allen. Cover by Tim Allen.

This game is a fast-play, solitaire or two-player simulation of the 1944 Allied landings at Anzio-Nettuno in 1944. The initial landings went unopposed but the resulting struggle developed to defend the beachhead.

WordWars

2010-12-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Designed by Rebel Yell creator Richard Dengel, WordWars is a game of quick wits, strategy, skill and a little old fashioned luck! WordWars can be played by 2, 3, or 4 players. Team play is also possible. WordWars is an uncomplicated game, as challenging as Scrabble and playable by children and adults alike. In WordWars, a player maneuvers her playing pieces, or counters, across the board forming words as she goes. Each counter is able to move three squares per turn. The player must guard against having letters eliminated or "bounced" during play while attempting to do that to his opponents counters. A word formed by a player is worth a certain number of POINTS depending upon the number of letters in the word and the “terrain” the letters are in. The game ends after a specified number of rounds, or INNINGS. The player with the most victory points wins the game. Alternately, a player may win by being the first to garner a specified point total. This is called the SUDDEN DEATH GAME. The game has counters with different functions. LETTER counters are used for creating words on the game board. JOKER counters are WILD CARDS. These may be any letter a player chooses during a turn. Jokers may also BOUNCE and/or KIDNAP another player’s counters. KNIGHTS are also Wild Cards, similar to Jokers. These units may also Bounce or ELIMINATE an opposing player’s counters. KINGS, like Knights and Jokers are also Wild Cards. However, King may neither Bounce nor Eliminate opposing counters. A colorful map board and several player aids are included with the game.

September 1939 User Interface

2010-12-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

The above is a full screen snap of September 1939 at turn six, showing the game's user interface. A menu bar across the top and a side panel provide options and buttons for game play. The bottom panel guides the player with brief directions and informs the player of combat results. The user interface is designed for easy and quick play with a board game look and feel.

September 1939: The Invasion of Poland

2010-12-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

German units cross the Polish frontier and push toward Lodz. September 1939 is a computer simulation of the 1939 German invasion of Poland.

Anzio II Map

2010-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

The Anzio II map was done by Tim Allen.

Anzio II: The Fight for the Beachhead

2010-12-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

With a stunning map by Tim Allen and 5/8 inch square counters also by Tim, Anzio II: The Fight for the Beachhead is a work in progress due for release in December.

The Fight for the Beachhead is a solitaire or two-player game which simulates the first weeks of the battle of Anzio when Allied forces defended and attempted to expand the Anzio beachhead. The goal of the Anzio-Nettuno amphibious landings on January 22, 1944 was to outflank the German Winter Line and open the way to Rome. A major battle of World War Two, the initial landings were unopposed. Instead, the resulting fight developed to keep the beachhead.

Washita Battlefield

2010-11-21T16:49:00.001-08:00

I went to the Washita National Battlefield with a couple of friends one day in April of 2009. We were very impressed with the visitors center but less so with the actual battlefield. It seemed very austere with respect to wayside exhibits and signs. I never get tired of visiting local historical sites, especially Indian Territory Civil War sites. It's kind of habit of mine to photograph historical markers, tomb stones, and monuments when I can. I will even go out of the way sometimes to locate these. This can aggravate my wife to no end when we are on the road. Of course I don't have to do this to aggravate her. I just have to exist.

Manny Aguilar

Pavia

2010-11-21T11:27:00.001-08:00

A work in progress, Pavia is a simulation of the engagement fought February 24, 1525 between a Spanish-Imperial army allied with the garrison of Pavia and a French army under the personal command of Francis I of France. An important battle, the outcome cemented the Spanish Habsburg ascendancy in Italy.

Above is the game map showing setup positions of the game units.

The game is being designed by Lionel Liron who is also doing the map and counter art.

Last King of Scotland

2010-11-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

Above is a section of the Last King of Scotland game map by Richard A. dengel. Below are counters by Tom Cundiff. Game designed by Dennis L. Bishop.

The Last King of Scotland

2010-11-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

(Counters by Tom Cundiff)

A new design by Dennis L. Bishop, The Last King of Scotland is a game covering the Tanzania-Uganda War of 1979 that ousted Uganda's President for Life Idi Dada Amin from control of that country. With easy-to-play rules, the game provides enough detail to give players a sense of the time and place in a reasonable playing time. When Idi Amin fled Uganda, his army dissolved and he truly became "The Last King of Scotland." Game map will be by Richard Dengel with counters by Tom Cundiff.

Battles for a Continent

2010-11-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Below are snaps taken of the map and counters assembled for the Battles for a Continent game. BFC is a print-and-play game and the counters were nicely mounted. Click images to enlarge. Map by Tim Allen and counters by Tom Cundiff.

Poland 1939

2010-10-08T15:00:00.001-07:00

Screen snap at the start of the game showing German units poised to invade north Poland.

Son of the Dragon Counters

2010-09-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Three examples of Lionel Liron's counter set for Son of the Dragon.

Poland 1939

2010-09-22T13:54:00.001-07:00

Under development is a new computer-based board game, Poland 1939 (tentative tile). Game scale is division-level units and a hexes of about 15 miles. Featured are air attacks, defensive terrain bonus and supply. A German AI and PBEM capability will be part of the game. Following in the White Dog Games tradition of computer games with the look and feel of a paper board game, Poland 1939 will have a friendly, easy-to-use interface and will be fun and fast-play. November release planned.

Shield Wall

2010-09-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

First presented as a free computer game, we may bring Shield Wall back as a print-and-play game.

Anniversary

2010-09-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

White Dog Games First Anniversary

It was one year ago this September that we formed White Dog Games as a game company offering premium games. Before that, only free games were published. In those twelve months, we have develped the following premium games. Visit our web site to see more information on these games.

Ordered To Die
Battles for a Continent (Bonus: Braddock's Defeat)
Under the North Star
Remember the Alamo!
Day of the Spears II
Master and Commander Basic and Three Scenarios
Maiwand
Hannibal Against Rome
Iraq 1941
Night of the Living Dead
The Fight for the Heights (Gettysburg)
We Shall Fight on the Marne

Thanks to Richard Dengel, Tom Cundiff, Tim Allen, Mike Mirfin and Lionel Liron for their enthusiasm and talent.

Ordered To Die

2010-09-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

Pre-publication orders are now being accepted for the new Dennis L. Bishop game, Ordered To Die: The Battle of Ctesiphon. This WW I conflict between the British and Ottoman Empires features the map art of Tim Allen and the counter art of Lionel Liron. Reservations will be honored if reservations are converted into orders by September 16th. Game price is 22.75 USD plus S&H. Produced by Michael W. Kennedy.

Red Cloud's War

2010-09-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Lionel Liron has designed a game, Terror on the Bozeman Trail: Red Cloud's War, that is coming out in the December, 2010, issue of Battles Magazine.

Son of the Dragon

2010-08-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

We have received some draft counters for the game-in-progress, Son of the Dragon. Here they are placed on a section of the draft map. Map by Tim Allen and counters by Lionel Liron.

Ordered To Die Rules

2010-08-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Ordered to Die Reservations

2010-08-19T09:28:00.001-07:00

Reservations are being taken for the folio edition of Dennis L. Bishop's Ordered to Die. This edition will include 5/8" die cut counters by Lionel Lironand a 22" x 17" game map by Tim Allen. Write to contact@whitedoggames.com to hold a copy of the folio game in your name. No pre-order purchase is necessary.

Under the North Star Scenario

2010-08-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

An alternative scenario for Under the North Star is available. It is included with purchase of the PnP game download or can be downloaded at the title link above.

Ligny

2010-08-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

Shown are example counters by Tom Cundiff from the game on the battle of Ligny currently under development at White Dog Games.

End of Game Turn Three

2010-08-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Indian Summer Game Set Up

2010-08-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

(Click image to zoom in.)

Indian Summer Game Set Up

2010-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

(Click image to zoom in.)
This image shows positions of Union and Confederate forces after set up.

Son of the Dragon

2010-08-06T09:38:00.001-07:00

CHRISTIAN ARMIES

Oastea Mica (“Small Host”)
The Oastea Mica in both Wallachia and Moldavia consisted of Viteji (Cavalry with sabers and lances), and Cuteni (Medium Cavalry). All cavalry carried bows.

Oastea Mare (“Great Host”) in both Wallachia and Moldavia consisted of cetes (basic combat unit) of Mosieni (archers)and Iunaci (infantry) who were all mounted on horseback.

Bandiera of Transylvania were formed from cetes and consisted of Boieri Mica (Heavy Cavalry), 2000 handgunners, and Vecini (peasants provided by boyars as soldiers).

The Hungarian army was further north in Hungary protecting its borders. The army represented in the game is an estimation of the Hungarians under Hunyadi Janus. This counter represents Hungarian heavy cavalry armed with lances and swords.

The Hungarian Acies Negri (Black Army) consisted predominantly of heavy and light cavalry armed with lances and swords.

The Hungarian Lefegii were mercenaries hired by the Hungarian King Corvinius Matthias. These were armed with lances and swords.

OTTOMAN ARMIES

Rumulia was divided into several satraps (provinces) each governed by a Bey. It was Bulgaria Rumulia governed from Nicolopolis that was involved in the Wallachian war. The Rumulia Azabs (general term for soldiers conscripted for campaigns) were primarily foot soldiers carrying edged weapons.

The Rumulia Azabs were supported by light cavalry called Akinji. The Akinji were armed with sabers and bows.

The Anatolian Azabs provided the bulk of the Ottoman army that defeated the Byzantines and Christians of eastern Europe. They were armed indifferently with swords, spears, and a few match lock firearms.

The Janissary “Corps” was the elite of the Ottoman army and much better armed with swords and spears. There were a few match lock firearms with them. By the mid-1400s the Janissary were evolving and only the field Janissaries are represented in the game.

The Sipahi challenged the Janissary as elite troops. The Sipahi were medium cavalry armed with lances and bows.

The Akinji were light cavalry armed with sabers and bows.

Mercenaries were hired by different princedoms and kingdoms as the most dependable troops. These mercenaries came from Poland, Saxony, Bosnia, Italy, and Bohemia.

Ordered To Die

2010-08-05T22:33:00.001-07:00

A new design by Dennis L. Bishop, Ordered To Die is a low-to-intermediate complexity, two-player, operational-level simulation of the British attempt to capture the Ottoman entrenchments at Seimanpak Mayden Muharebesi on the way to Baghdad in 1915. Solitaire play is also doable, provided the player is willing to make decisions for both sides. The British player controls all British and Indian units; his opponent controls the Ottoman and Arab units. Counters by French artist Lionel Liron and map by map artist Tim Allen.

Indian Summer - The Idea

2010-08-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

By Manny Aguilar
Designer of Indian Summer
I remember a picking up a copy of "They Died With Their Boots On!" Vol.I several years back. I did what many of us do with magazine games. I set it up, pushed some counters around, read the articles and tried to learn something about the topic. A little later I picked up Vol.II and gave it a closer look. At the same time I was doing quite a bit of reading on the Civil War in Indian Territory. I began to think that this system might be a good way to simulate the small campaigns that occurred in Northeastern Oklahoma. I posted this idea in the "Boots!" Vol. II folder where I was introduced to Dennis Bishop. He had written the historical article for the Villa "Boots!"module. Dennis and I began to correspond quite a bit about how such a game might work.

In my readings I kept running across interesting situations that could be simulated with the heroism marker game mechanic found in the "Boots!" system. Many of these occurrences were strange, wierd, incredible, or unbelievable. Some were just stupid. In fact you would probably need to use something like a heroism marker to make some of these events happen in a game.

I dug out my copy of Custer and decided to push the counters around again. In my second game The U.S. Army was closing in on the Hostiles. When it came time for the Hostiles to pick a sub-command marker they drew the group that the Custer 1/7 unit belonged to. The Hostiles faction played their "In to the Valley of Death" heroism marker. This allowed them to take control of Custer and the other unit he was stacked with. The stack was moved by the Hostiles into a situation where it had to attack three Indian stacks at poor odds. I remember thinking to myself, Well Done! The game Mr. Miranda had designed easily simulated Custer rushing ahead by himself and into a trap. All of this with just a minimum of rules. Custer didn't die though. He rolled well and the Indians didn't. He was able to get out of trouble by the next turn. The U.S. Army went on to win big and Custer became President in the 1890's. I became a big fan of the "Boots!" system.

When I heard there was a game proposal for a "Boots!" game on the ACW in the Ozark region I got excited and hopeful. I think its title was "Forgotton Front" or something like that. At the same time I had started working on a modified "Boots!" game on the ACW in Indian Territory only. I had done a lot research for a game map and OOB. The research led me to expand the the game to include portions of the surrounding states, especially the events concerning the Prairie Grove campaign. I continued to work while waiting for Decision Games to publish the results of the feedback. Interest must not have been too great as other games were chosen.

A pretty good while passed before I was able to create a prototype. I showed it to Dennis. I worked on the map some more, made some improvements. He in turn showed what I had done so far to Michael Kennedy of White Dog Games who liked the idea and here we are.

(Posted originally on Consimworld.)

Indian Summer

2010-07-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

Designed by Manny Aguilar, Indian Summer tells the story of the Civil War in the west. A work in progress, this will be a large game, befitting a large topic, featuring some 600 counters and a 22" x 35" map. Borrowing ideas from Miranda's They Died With Their Boots On, Indian Summer employs a leader-draw mechanic to activate commands or groups of units under a leader. The player is challenged to manage available resources and reinforcements in order to control sections of the "western" states of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Texas and the Indian Territory during the period June 1862 to September 1863. Counters in the game represent historic infantry, cavalry, artilley units plus leaders, supply depots, wagon trains and more. A heroism draw aspect provides for unexpected events and capabilities for both sides, making Indian Summer not only a highly realistic simulation but an exciting game as well.

Son of the Dragon

2010-07-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

On 30 May 1453 church bells pealed throughout Europe signifying the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire. The winds of Islam were blowing in the direction of Eastern Europe while the nations of Western Europe warred among themselves in what would be called the 100 Years War. In Eastern Europe one nation fell after another to the Islamic onslaught washing through Bulgaria to the shores of the Danube River. At the Danube stood the last Christian bastion of Wallachia. In 1456 a prince took the throne and proclaimed that Wallachia would be Christian and free. This prince became known as Dracula.

"Son of the Dragon" is a simulation by Dennis L. Bishop of the six year campaign waged by Wallachia, led by Vlad III Draculesti (Dracula), against the entire Ottoman Empire led by Mehmed II Fatih (The Conqueror). The map represents Wallachia, Transylvania, and part of Moldavia scaled at approximately 27 kilometers per hex, and each combat factor represents approximately 2000 to 4000 soldiers. Also included are individual counters representing Dracula, Mehmed II, and their generals. There are counters representing the Danesti family who competed for the Wallachian throne as well as the Draculesti family who attempted to hold the throne, King Stephen III cel Mare of Moldavia, Prince Stephen I Bathory of Transylvania, the leading boyar families (landed gentry) and Armas (newly landed peasants). The Saxon merchants are also represented as are plagues which are lethal to anyone in cities when the plague strikes. The system currently also will have cards that do not make the game a card driven system, but reflect events occurring outside the map area that affected events on the map.

It is at this crucial time in history that White Dog Games introduces a discussion in a Consimworld folder (Individual Games/Era of Gunpowder/Pre_Napoleonic) of the development of the simulation that will continue until it is published as a folio game with huge 5/8th inch, thick counters that colorfully portray the historical personages and uniforms of those who participated in this little known war that decided the fate of Europe.

Remember the Alamo! Released

2010-07-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

Remember the Alamo: San Jacinto April 20 - 21, 1836 is really two "Print-n-Play" games in one covering the two days of fighting (April 20 and April 21). Each game can be played separately or linked together. Units are company level with individual artillery pieces. Order of battle contribution by Dennis L. Bishop. The 165 counters by Tom Cundiff include assault, disrupted and barricade markers. The 17x22" map by Richard Dengel represents the San Jacinto battlefield with clear, road, ridge line, swamp, woods and bayou terrain. Additional scenarios provided to complement the basic, historical game include King of the Ridge Line: Day Two and a scenario for Day Three, Santa Anna Attacks, among others. Two-player and well-suited for solitaire. Price: $12.75 (Texas residents $13.80). Cover art by Mike Mirfin.

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Tejanos at San Jacinto

2010-07-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

A company of hispanic texians or tejanos fought at San Jacinto in the Texian army. They were led by Captain Juan Seguin who had been in the Alamo shortly before its fall along with Antonio Cruz. Company I is represented in the game Remember the Alamo! San Jacinto April 20 - 21, 1836 with its own company counter. (Game counters by Tom Cundiff.)

Company I, Second Regiment Texas Volunteers
Captain Juan Seguin
M. Flores
Menchaca
N. Flores
Rodriguez
J. Arocha
M. Arocha
S. Arocha
Barcinas
Carmona
Casillas
Antonio Cruz
A. Curbiere
M. Curbiere
Enriquez Herrera
Lopez (wounded)
Maldonado
Mancha
Navarro
Pena
Rameriz
Salinas
Tarin

Battles for a Continent

2010-06-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

Shown to the left is the draft Battles for a Continent game map assembled. The game will include two battles that use the same map, The Plains of Abraham and Saint-Foy, from the French and Indian War. Map art is by Tim Allen, counters by Tom Cundiff and scenario designs by Dennis L. Bishop.

Under the North Star

2010-05-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Our first boxed game Under the North Star will be shipped soon. Here is a snap of what the game looks like.

Stephenson's Depot

2010-05-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Stephenson's Depot is a work-in-progress by designer and map artist Richard Dengel. On June 15, 1863, Confederate general Ewell sent Johnson's division to Stephenson's Depot with the objective of cutting off retreating Union forces under Milroy. The game will use the Rebel Yell Lite rules system but will be a stand alone game with all necessary rules included.

Day of the Spears II

2010-05-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Day of the Spears II has been released. In addition to the Historical scenario, this computer-based board game has two scenarios designed by Dennis L. Bishop: Chelmsford to the Rescue and Chelmsford's Battle. Options include Ammo Supply, the Moya Effect and Zulu Fire Range.

San Jacinto

2010-05-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

The San Jacinto game currently under development, Remember the Alamo!, is a two-day simulation. Many players may want to just play a stand-alone Day Two or the Battle of San Jacinto part of the game. April 20th or Day One is provided because that is when the two armies first met face-to-face and the scenario challenges players to deal with the decisions both historical commanders had to make that day. Much was at stake. Santa Anna was much the aggressor on Day One and had the Texians penned against the bayou where a bold attack could send them swimming for their lives but, whether he knew it or not, he was out numbered and he knew Cos would reinforce him in the morning. Sam Houston, on the other hand, could bring on a general engagement on Day One and satisfy his eager-for-a-fight, revenge-hungry troops and maybe even settle the matter then and there before Cos arrived or at least beat up the Mexican forces a bit. But he may not have been confident in his and his raw army’s tactical prowess against a professional field army and, if he suffered a defeat, there was no good place to retreat. In any event, actions taken on Day One would have an effect on Day Two. (Sam Houston counter by Tom Cundiff.)

Cazadore

2010-05-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

When researching the San Jacinto game, Remember the Alamo!, some confusion arose over the Mexican cazadore unit as to whether it was mounted or not. (In Spain about this time they were mounted.)

Dennis L. Bishop, who did order of battle research for the game, said, "Both Lon Tinkle and Walter Lord made the same mistake (that cazadore units were mounted) back in 1958 and 1961. However, subsequent research in the 1980’s revised the Mexican organizations in much the same way that the research changed Amelia Williams’ research concerning the Texian garrison at the Alamo. By 1986 we were provided with Hunnycutt’s revelation concerning the Mexican organizations, and nearly that same year I published an article detailing the Texian order of battle at the Alamo in the Knight Dispatch magazine. Subsequent research has enhanced my original thesis entitled, “I Thought They Were Just A Bunch Of Guys.” That research continues."

The result is that cazadores are safely back on foot. They were a special unit of marksmen or "hunters". Hence, the hunting horn symbol on Tom Cundiff's counter.

Game Hexagonal Mats

2010-03-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hex grid game mats can be purchased directly from from: Hotz Mats at http://www.hotzmats.com/. These mats can be used to play "Master and Commander".

The Battle of Chesapeake

2010-03-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Chesapeake will be the first in a series of planned scenarios to Master and Commander. It will come with a new set of counters by Tom Cundiff representing the ships in the action, a scenario chart showing the relative positions of the ships at the start of the battle, a suggested set of scenario rules and historical notes on the battle. The scenario chart for the battle is intended as a guide for setting up the game and gives ship direction as well as wind direction.

Battles for a Continent

2010-03-26T06:43:00.001-07:00

Mike Mirkle's cover for the Battles for a Continent set of games.

Richard Dengel

2010-03-23T15:22:00.001-07:00

Richard Dengel is the artist who did the map for "Under the North Star". We feel that he got the feeling of this near artic country with a beautiful, cool palette. Richard is also the artist for our "Hannibal Against Rome" and "Iraq 1941" games. Of course, his work on WDG's "Night of the Living Dead" was amazing. Check out the kitchen in the house on that game map; you could walk on the black and white tiles.
Richard also produces games of his own design for his game company HomeGrown Designs.

Camperdown

2010-03-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

Soon to be released is a scenario to "Master and Commander" on the battle of Camperdown. Fought on October 11, 1797, Camperdown was a British naval victory in the North Sea over the Dutch during the French Revolutionary Wars. The British fleet under Admiral Duncan defeated the Dutch fleet under Admiral de Winter about eighteen miles off the Dutch coastal village of Camperduin. Thirty-four new counters representing the ships involved in the action will be in this scenario, each with speed and power values for individual ships. Counters by Tom Cundiff.

Under the North Star

2010-03-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

The response to our offer of preorder reservations for the boxed edition of Dennis L. Bishop's new board game on the Finnish Civil War of 1918 has been almost overwhelming. As a result, we have decided to increase the print run so that more folks can enjoy a boxed edition. We will print as many boxed games as we have received paid preorders for as of March 26. Dennis has agreed to sign and number a limited number of games as well. So if you want a game you will need to go www.whitedoggames.com/northstarpayment.html and pay for a preorder copy of the game. We will not print extra copies. Thank all of you who have already paid for a preorder game. This degree of interest in North Star was not expected. Dennis, who likes to select obscurer topics for his games, may have picked one this time that might have more general interest in it than he realized. He can comment on that. Anyway, I hope this encourages him to continue designing games for a while. He is working with me now on a three-game set on the French and Indian War called "Battles for a Continent". I designed one of the three games and Dennis did the other two. We have Tim Allen's great map graphics on that project and Mike Mirfin back on the cover art. I think Dennis is also working on the lesser-known World War I battle of Ctesiphone. Looks like he's back in his true element.

San Jacinto

2010-03-08T13:40:00.001-08:00

A work in progress is the battle of San Jacinto. This rout of Mexican forces under Santa Anna ended the Texas Revolution and made a hero of Sam Houston. The battle may have turned out differently or not been such a cakewalk for the Texians if Santa Anna had not dithered away the morning and, instead, attacked the rebel forces first. Or if sentries had been posted to prevent the surprise attack that historically happened. Or if more Mexican reinforcements had arrived from San Antonio other than Cos' battalion. This game will feature an order of battle by Dennis L. Bishop.

Battles for a Continent

2010-03-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Three French and Indian War battles will be combined into a set called "Battles for a Continent". The three battles selected are Braddock's Defeat, The Plains of Abraham and St. Foy. The "Battles for a Continent" set will feature game maps by Tim Allen and counters by Tom Cundiff. In addition to orders of battle, Dennis L. Bishop will contribute game designs for The Plains of Abraham and St. Foy.

Under the North Star

2010-02-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dennis L. Bishop's "Under the North Star" will be released soon. This simulation of the Finnish Civil War of 1918 with be issued as a boxed edition with counters by Tom Cundiff and map art by Richard Dengel. Cover art by Mike Mirfin.

Reds Versus the Whites in Finland of 1918

2010-02-19T15:39:00.000-08:00

Dennis L. Bishop's newest game "Under the North Star" is in the final phases of development. We hope to release the game in two or three weeks.

The game is set in 1918 and simulates the civil war that was fought in Finland between the forces of the Social Democrats led by the People's Deputation of Finland, commonly called the "Reds" (punaiset), and the forces of the nonsocialist, conservative-led Senate, commonly called the "Whites" (valkoiset). The Reds were supported by Russian Soviet Republic, while the Whites received military assistance from the German Empire.

Tom Cundiff has done the counter art and Richard Dengel the map art.

Master and Commander

2010-02-19T12:08:00.000-08:00

The following comments are from Dave about "Master and Commander":

"Fun game, and just like you say, quick and easy to play while still providing enough flavor to satisfy the itch to be Jack Aubrey .

Well done! Good luck with your future designs."

We Shall Fight on the Marne Game Map

2010-02-06T13:40:00.001-08:00

Artist Tim Allen did a very nice job on the Marne game map part of which is shown below. Look for this game to come out soon paired with a Franco-German War battle.

Braddock's Defeat

2010-02-06T13:29:00.001-08:00

Braddock’s Defeat is a conflict simulation of the French and Indian War battle that ended the British expedition to capture French Fort Duquesne. Not an ambush, as is popularly thought, the battle was really a meeting engagement. The French in Fort Duquesne, told by their scouts that a large British force with guns was approaching, sent elements of the Duquesne garrison on a preemptive strike. The French force met the British force before they could set up an ambush. The game is for two players or is highly suitable for solitaire play.

Master and Commander Version 2.0

2010-02-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

Master and Commander is a fast-play conflict simulation of Napoleonic naval combat. Version 2.0 expands the beautiful counter set by Tom Cundiff from the original game. New rules have been added for crew quality and ship drifting. Two hexagonal grid templates are provided with the game for creating a map of any size.

We Shall Fight on the Marne

2010-02-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

The game will feature original art by Mike Mirfin.

Comments From A Visitor

2010-01-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Bill, a visitor to White Dog Games, had these comments.

"I finished playing (the) Gettysburg game. It is very good from my point of view no bells and whistles just a board game like an old Avalon hill game. You know what it is perfect the learning curve is fast and get right into playing. The counters are well done and the basic but detailed design give the game a great feel. HPS games Talon soft should take a lesson from your games.

Zulu game of Isandhlwana is fantastic I can run a few turns do some paper work and play another turn or two just a fun fast game.

Board games, master commander is very good I made a few changes and plays very nice will be using it in our war game club in March game. Saratoga played it twice had some issues with a few odds and ends changed it over to the old SPI combat chart two units stacking and everyone starts on the map.

Waterloo computer game perfect….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your site and work you are doing."

Thank you, Bill, for your kind remarks.

Master and Commander v. 2

2010-01-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

Kap wrote in some good suggestions for Master and Commander which have been incorporated into a version 2. Among his ideas is a crew rating feature. Ship crews are rated from Elite to Poor and the ship's crew rating modifies the standard movement rate and fire power values for the ship type. The idea of shore batteries was introduced. Kap also found that using a hex grid map such as for Wooden Ships and Iron Men worked well for this game. In response to a concern about keeping the ships in line with their varying speed, a minimum and maximum movement allowance rule allows the player to "slow down" the faster ships when required. Thanks to Kap for his suggestions.

Master and Commander is a fast-play game of Napoleonic sea combat with just five pages of rules. Kap wrote: "What's good about it is that you can put a BIG fleet on the board and slug it out rather quickly...For people who want to do Trafalgar its just about perfect. Bunches of ships on the map, wild and crazy action everywhere."

We Shall Fight on the Marne

2010-01-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

We Shall Fight on the Marne is a simulation of the battle of the First Marne in 1914. This was the Early War when cavalry actually played a positive role and where a war of maneuver was still possible before the long stalemate of trench warfare that World War One is known so much for. The Germans have pushed to within 20 miles of Paris and threaten to end the war quickly. Can they? Or will the Allies rally and push them back? You can make decisions similar to those faced by commanders from September 6 to September 9, 1914. Game features include destroying bridges and building pontoons bridges, cavalry screening and breaking corps units into divisions. Shown is the prototype map and counters by Tom Cundiff. Game is currently in play testing.

Under the North Star

2010-01-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

Under the North Star is a simulation of the Finnish Civil War, which was a part of the national and social turmoil caused by World War I (1914–1918) in Europe. The war was fought in Finland from 27 January to 15 May 1918 between the forces of the Social Democrats led by the People's Deputation of Finland, commonly called the "Reds", and the forces of the non-socialist, conservative-led Senate, commonly called the "Whites". The Reds were supported by Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, while the Whites received military assistance from the German Empire. The game is designed by Dennis L. Bishop. Counters art is by Tom Cundiff. Shown is a partial snap of the play test map of the game.

Master and Commander Release

2009-12-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

Master and Commander is being released as a table top game. Counters are provided as a substitute for miniatures but miniatures can be used. Master and Commander is intended as a fast-play set of rules that simulates Napoleonic-era naval combat. The game is free.

Carriers At War

2009-12-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

This project started as an exercise to learn the vb.Net programming language and develop routines which could be used in future computer-based board games. Gradually it took on a life of its own. It is turning into a fast-play, beer-and-prezels game of World War Two in the Pacific. The basic game is a general encounter between the forces of Imperial Japan and the US Navy; no particular battle is simulated although scenarios could possibly be developed for a specific historical battle. The game will feature Japanese kamikaze action, submarines, sea transport of troops, carrier landings and takeoffs. Balancing of unit "abilities" is present in this game more than other types of games and should maintain game tension. For example, submarines can only be attacked by destroyers and bombers and only if sonar detects the sub. A d6 roll greater than 3 detects the sub and depth charges can be dropped on it. Subs have a combat factor of 10 but can attempt only two hits in a phase (fire two torpedoes) while a destroyer can drop as many depth charges as its combat factor (up to five hits) in a phase. Once all ten torpedoes have been fired, the sub heads home for resupply, leaving the game, while destroyers need no resupply. Other ships cause damage equal to one on a hit but a submarine causes d6 damage on a hit.

Maiwand Revived

2009-12-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

The Battle of Maiwand is a two-player simulation of the battle fought during the Second Afghan War, (1878-1882) on the 27th of July 1880 between the Afghan forces of Ayoub Khan and an Anglo-Indian Brigade commanded by Brigadier General G.R.S. Burroughs. Ayoub Khan was marching on Kandahar with 25,000 troops (more ore less as the actual number is not definitively known), while General Burroughs was dispatched with 2,500 troops to Maiwand, about 50 miles Northwest of Kandahar to oppose the Afghan advance. First published in 2005 by Kyber Pass Games and designed by Dennis L. Bishop, this new release features new counters, a variant scenario and an historical article on the battle by Tom Cundiff.

Hannibal Is At The Gates

2009-11-30T07:47:00.000-08:00

I designed the game Hannibal Against Rome to give the player (okay, me) a sense of the challenges faced by Hannibal 2227 years ago in the Second Punic War. Of course, it is just a game while Hannibal faced a more complex reality. Still, we might explore some of the aspects of that long distant conflict that are part of both the computer and the PnP board game from White Dog Games.

When the game starts the Carthaginian side has more land units. This is because Rome was not looking for war but was deliberately provoked into it by Hannibal’s siege and capture of Saguntum on the eastern coast of Spain.

The head of the Roman embassy sent to Carthage after the fall of Saguntum said to the Carthaginians: "Here I carry peace and war; say, ye men of Carthage, which you chose."

"Give us which ye will," replied the Carthaginians.

"Then we give you war," said the Roman.

From that point, the Romans played catch up. But the Roman well from which to draw manpower was quite deep. It seemed to me the most interesting way to frame the game was to use unit production. The central tension during the Second Punic war and in the game is the question, can Hannibal win the war before Rome builds its strength to an almost invincible level.

In Hannibal Against Rome, cities produce units so whoever controls the most cities generates the most units or prevents the other side from producing units. It thus was Hannibal’s strategy to win over or subdue the Italian cities. That he failed to do so may be because he was not able to bring many siege engines with him across the Alps. When some Italian cities were able to resist Carthaginian sieges, other cities were encouraged by their successes to defy Hannibal. Accordingly, few siege engine units are available to the Carthaginian side in the game.

Hannibal, however, did win over a number of Gallic tribes in northern Italy. These formed a significant part of his army in Italy. But he could not have been certain that the Gallic tribes would break with Rome and join him. Therefore the game requires a die roll for the Gauls to side with Carthage.

Travel in ancient times was difficult. With his army in Spain, Hannibal had two possible ways to invade Rome, each not without hazards. He could transport his troops, cavalry and elephants by ship. But sea travel could be chancy. About 250 BC, for example, the weather dealt Rome a series of severe blows when three fleets were wrecked in storms. Hundreds of ships were lost and the drowned numbered tens of thousands. Due to the danger of heavy weather ancient navies could not risk sailing too far from shore, making sea journeys often longer. Ships of that time had little room for water or food so long journeys of more than a few days were impossible. When able, galleys were beached at night to give the crew a rest. A large number of ships would have been needed to transport 40,000 foot, 12,000 horse and 40 war elephants. Maybe the deciding factor was that Hannibal knew that Rome controlled the seas. Still, invading Rome by sea was an option for Hannibal and is an option in Hannibal Against Rome. The fun of game playing is that you can explore what-if scenarios. I will tell you that, on occasion, I have had success invading Rome by sea but it is not for the faint of heart.

As every school child knows, Hannibal took his men, horses and elephants across the Alps. What they may not know is that Hannibal also needed to cross the Pyrenees and many rivers, some of the later which might be in flood (a game die roll). If it seems astonishing to us now that it took only 16 days to cross the Alps, an idea of the terror and surprise Romans felt to find Libyans suddenly in the plains south of the Alps comes down to us in the phrase "Hannibal is at the gates!", which was used for centuries by mothers as a threat against misbehaving children.

Hannibal’s army was a melting pot of nationalities. At the beginning, his army consisted of mercenaries, Numidian cavalry, Libyans, and Spanish Celts (infantry and cavalry). Once in Italy, as mentioned above, he managed to convince the Italian Gauls to join him. Carthage allies were Illyricum and Macedon. War elephants found a place in the Carthaginian ranks as well although many of them perished on the arduous march across the Alps. Wonderful counters designed by Tom Cundiff represent these contingents in the print-and-play version of the game along with Balearic Slingers and the navies of both sides.

During the Punic War era, Rome employed a militia of propertied citizens for its armies. The basic unit of the Roman army was the legion and they were the best soldiers in the world. For that reason, legion counters get more strength points (20) in the game than most other units. One reason the propertied Romans made good soldiers might be that a man naturally fights harder to defend his property. That it might be a good idea to follow this example with the vote today (also only propertied Roman citizens could vote) is the subject of another discussion.

The Romans had their own system of counting the years based on the founding of the city of Rome or Ab urbe condita (AUC) in Latin. That year is traditionally set as 753 BC. The Second Punic War, then, to the Romans lasted from 536 AUC to 554 AUC if my math is right. Hannibal Against Rome uses the Roman system for the game years and we also gave cities and geographic entities like the Alpes (Alps) and the Padus (the Po) their ancient spelling on the game map, all to get the player a bit in the mood of the times much like putting on a costume for a play. Heck, it’s just good fun to do that.

Hannibal is my choice for greatest general of all time and for this reason the Hannibal counter increases Carthaginian odds when determining combat results in the game. Putting aside marching an army across the Alps, which stands even today as an amazing military accomplishment, and inspiring his men to incredible feats with his charismatic personality, for eighteen years he held the Roman Empire at bay and produced brilliant tactical wins at Trebia, Trasimene and Cannae over the world’s finest soldiers.

After Scipio Africanus beat Hannibal at Zama to end the Second Punic War, the two old soldiers sat down for a chat. Scipio asked Hannibal who he thought were the greatest generals ever. Hannibal listed himself third after Alexander and Pyrrhus.
Scipio then asked, “And what if you had beaten me at Zama?”

Hannibal replied, undoubtedly with a grin, “Why then, I would be the greatest general of all.” Thus Hannibal flattered himself and complimented Scipio by suggesting Scipio was greater than Alexander.

(The PnP game Hannibal Against Rome is available at www.whitedoggames.com for a donation of 8.50 USD which supports the development of more games. The computer game is free.)

ANZIO II

2009-11-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

Currently we are redoing an earlier mini-game on the battle of Anzio. This new version will be called Anzio II. While still a small game, it features an improved and expanded map (17 x 11 hexes) and more counters. More counters were thought necessary for the larger map. It was considered to make the game a brigade-level game but that would mean too many counters plus some German divisions were proving hard to research their components without investing in specialized books. As a compromise, each division was broken down into counters for a part A and a part B and each counter has a step loss or back side. Therefore each division in the game can undergo four "hits" before it is eliminated. This improves on the previous method of marking off a step for a unit on a Game Play Sheet while at the same time creating additional playing pieces for the larger map. The rules are much the same as the older game and include weather and off-map bombardment but the combat section has been revised for step loss play.

Map and Counters Mounting and Finishing

2009-11-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

The map and counters for your favorite game can be mounted and finished for a nominal price. Tom Cundiff handles counters and Richard Dengel handles the maps. For more details visit the White Dog games web site and the following link in particular.

Map and Counters Finishing

Simulation Versus Imagination

2009-11-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

What is a game? More specifically, what is a war game?

According to the dictionary, a game is "a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules".

There are two components to a war game, the game concept itself, that is, how one plays and wins, and what the game play simulates.

In a war game, what is being simulated is usually an historical conflict of some kind.

The war game with probably the least simulation involved is chess. Yet chess is an extremely complex game, perhaps the most complex war game. So the degree of simulation doesn't necessary indicate the degree of complexity.

What exactly is simulation in a game?

Recently, I browsed some games for research on MASTER AND COMMANDER, a Napoleonic naval combat game I was designing. I encountered one naval game set in that period that had a rule for putting out fires aboard ship!

Now THAT is simulation.

However, to achieve that level of simulation, one has to sacrifice ease and speed of play.

In MASTER AND COMMANDER, the game aspect is emphasized over the simulation aspect. Oh, there are broadsides and boardings and ship collisions and loss of steerage. There is plenty of action and wind direction to be concerned about. But you won't be bogged down in time-consuming minutae. Instead, your imagination will fill in the details while the game captures (hopefully) the essential flavor of Napoleonic sea combat in a quick-play format.

Tomorrow A Corps

2009-10-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Homegrown Games' Huzzah! (Rebel Yell Lite) game module, Tomorrow A Corps, is available at White Dog Games. With game design by Richard A. Dengel, the game boasts a beautiful, full-color map, also done by Richard.

Night of the Living Dead Map

2009-10-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

Above is a preview of the Night of the Living Dead game map. Based on the farmhouse in the cult film classic, the map was created by Richard Dengel. The game map and counters will all be in glorious black and white (and gray). We are hoping for a Halloween release.

Baseball Manager Version 1.2.0 Release

2009-10-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Version 1.2.0 of Baseball Manager has been released. In addition to some minor user guide modifications, this version makes the following changes:

the batting order can be changed between games in the three-game series

the current batter is not skipped when a steal option is selected

bunt with a runner on first and no runner on third is allowed

manager points awarded for successful bunts and steals

Blenheim Fix

2009-10-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

The computer-based board game BLENHEIM did not run on some client computers which did not have a certain runtime routine. That problem has been fixed and it should run now on all Windows computers.

Zombie Fun

2009-10-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Coming out for the Halloween season is Night of the Living Dead, the board game. It will be a PnP game, mostly in glorious black and white. A tribute to the 1968 film of the same name, NOTLD takes place in and around the house where a small group of humans sought refuge from very scary zombie-like "things".

Some comments by the game's author, Dennis L. Bishop:

"It may be asked why "The Night of the Living Dead" and other horror flicks were filmed in black and white. The classic "The Wizard of Oz" actually mixed the two mediums. NOTLD was begun in color, but the color was removed and the rest of the film was shot in B/W due to lack of funding.

"Movies like "I Walked With A Zombie," "White Zombie," and earlier depictions of zombies had no relationship to the Romero/Russo "Things." Still, the Romero/Russo "Things" became a prototype for what movie, literature, and game fans know today as Zombies.

"Note that in the 1968 film that the word “zombie” is never used. The creatures are called “things,” and the Romero-Russo creatures were technically ghouls in the folklore sense, except that ghouls fed upon the dead while the “things” were the opposite with the dead feeding on the living, but not actually doing this in the movie. The only time that we see the humans being eaten is when Tom and Judy are burned up in an attempt to escape. The “things” are also seen eating bugs, so it seems that they are not terribly picky."

Spooky game counters by Thomas Cundiff.

Deadly At Close Range

2009-10-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

Master and Commander is a PnP board game simulation of Napoleonic sea combat. Utilizing a simple rules scheme for quicker play, the game attempts nevertheless to retain the essense of naval combat of that era. The challenge to the player is the tactical combat management of a squadron of warships while dealing with wind direction and continuous movement under sail. There are four ship ratings from 1st to fourth and ships have Movement and Fire Power ratings that reflect those ratings. Action includes broadsides, boardings and collisions, any of which may result in step loss, steering lost (fire combat only), dead in the water or sunk. Fire combat effectiveness depends on the distance to the target and the number of guns (Fire Power). But, generally, these ships were deadliest at close range. Counters by Thomas Cundiff. Visit his Old Soldiers Magazine site at http://www.oldsoldiersmagazine.com/.

Iraq 1941 After Action Report

2009-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

On 2 May 1941 (Turn 1) the British air force attacked the Iraqi airfield at Rashid. The results were less than hoped for as only one squadron of bombers was destroyed. The 20th Indian Brigade moved from Basra to a point north along the Tigris River before the Iraqi forces could react. During the intervening four days, the Iraqi air force attempted a retaliatory air strike on the British fortified cantonment at Habbaniya. The results were the disappointing loss of one fighter squadron to the British Gladiators flying above the field.

On 8 May (Turn 2) the British High Command Middle East reinforced the Habbaniya base with a squadron of Blenheim bombers, and the 21st Indian Brigade debarked at Basra. Again the British launched every bomber and fighter into the air to destroy the Rashid airfield. The Iraqi CAP was destroyed, and the bombers and fighter-bombers covered the airfield with high explosives; this time seeing the satisfying plumes of smoke denoting burning aircraft. The Iraqi scurried about attempting to save the aircraft that they could, but in the wreckage all but two fighter-bomber squadrons were destroyed. Following upon the air raid, the 20th Indian Brigade moved further north forcing the Iraqi 4th Division to shift positions from Diwaniya to block the Tigris threat. Meanwhile, the 21st Indian Brigade began moving along the Euphrates River in support of the 20th Brigade. Meanwhile, the Iraqi ground forces at Baghdad received a defeat when they invested Habbaniya, and were forced to retreat north of Baghdad.

From 11 May to 15 May (Turn 3), the British received more air reinforcements, and Habforce and Kingcol formed at the H4 base in Trans-Jordan. The British controlled the air, and concentrated the bombers and an escorting fighter squadron on the Iraqi Mechanized Brigade near Baghdad. The other fighter squadron continued to fly CAP missions or Habbaniya. Again the concentration of air power succeeded in producing flames and smoke from the burning Iraqi vehicles as two motorized battalions evaporated. The 20th and 21st Brigades concentrated on an attack on the Iraqi 4th Division forcing it to retreat toward Baghdad.

During this time, the Iraqi command received the promised German support as Sonderkommando Junke arrived at the Mosul airfield. The German Brandenburgers had also succeeded in organizing the Arabische Brigade, while the Syrian Volunteers and the guerrilla Fawzi el-Qawujki appeared on the Syrian border. KG Brecht split off into the desert to join the guerrillas trying to slow the progress of Habfoce and Kingcol, while the Syrians moved to support the Iraqi 4/2 Brigade at Kirkuk. KG Bergen and KG Krunbein moved to screen Baghdad from the southern threats, and the remnants of the Mechanized Brigade moved to screen Kirkuk, and the 1st and 3rd Divisions re-entered Baghdad. The Sonderkommando Junke launched a surprise attack on Habforce destroying the Arab Legion battalion as the trucks veered through the desert to avoid the low level attacks.

Habbaniya was reinforced on 16 May (Turn 4) with a squadron of Hurricanes. These were used to escort an air raid on the Mosul airfield where the Hurricanes made short work of the German Me 110 air cover. The British bombers echeloned in formations of fighter-bombers followed by level bombers through the German anti-aircraft barrage. The raid was disrupted by the air bursts and the aircraft not aborted were unable to find their targets. On the ground, the 4th Iraqi Division evaporated defending the approaches to Baghdad and the combined 20th and 21st Indian Brigades continued to slog their way toward Baghdad. Habforce and Kingcol destroyed the guerillas and KG Brecht. Meanwhile, the rest of the Arabische Brigade prepared for a grim defense of Baghdad and reassured Iraq that they would save the country. Sonderkommando Junke had received He 111s on 15 May, and the Germans launched a limited raid against three British targets with no effect.

On 21 May (Turn 5) the 20th and 21st Indian Brigades attacked the Arabische Brigade on the outskirts of Baghdad. The full airpower of the British bomber squadrons fell upon the German/Arab brigade and the brigade dissolved under the combined pressure. Meanwhile, Habforce and Kingcol relieved the Habbaniya garrison among cheers, and the garrison re-deployed north of Baghdad. The Iraqi command appeared to be paralyzed launching only the same ineffectual air raids earlier attempted.

26 May (Turn 6) opened with the Battle of Baghdad. This time the full weight of the British ground forces were combined with all of the airpower capable of bombing the defenders. Two brigades evaporated in the explosions from the low level bombs and two brigades were eliminated in the ground combat that followed. The Iraqi command attempted a bombing run at the British columns that failed. It was the last time the Germans and newly arrived Italians would fly in the Iraqi skies.

On 1 June (Turn 7), the Germans and Italians were ordered to evacuate Iraq, and the British columns successfully maneuvered into positions to launch an attack upon the defenses of Kirkuk while the British air power destroyed the remnants of the Iraqi Mechanized Brigade. On 5 June 1941 the British were in control of Iraq and had secured the vital oil fields and oil pipeline at Kirkuk.

IRAQ 1941

2009-09-02T18:54:00.001-07:00

A new game by Dennis L. Bishop, Iraq 1941 covers a little explored corner of World War II. A coup d'etat by the former prime minister and four top military officers against the pro-Allies Royal government of Iraq puts Iraq in the camp of the Axis and leaves India vulnerable. Britian must react. With a map printed on two 8.5 x 11 sheets, the PnP game features counter art by Tom Cundiff.

Coming soon. Visit White Dog Games and this BLOG for news about the game's release.

Gettysburg Day One Counters

2009-08-12T14:54:00.001-07:00

Gettysburg Day One, a computer-based board game, has been refitted with new counters. Designed by Tom Cundiff, they add additional visual interest to the game.

Gettysburg Day One is currently undergoing playtesting and a second scenario is being added.

Watch the White Dog Games website (www.whitedoggames.com) for its release.

Hannibal Against Rome PnP Preview

2009-08-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

A print-and-play version of Hannibal Against Rome is currently in playtest. With counters professionally designed by Tom Cundiff and the 34 x 18 hex, 17" x 14" map created by artist Richard Dengel, the game is a work of art.

A nine-page, color rules manual guides the player through this low-complexity game, which is a simulation of the Second Punic War. There are counters for War Elephants, Roman Legions, Siege Engines, Numidian Cavalry, Fleets and more.

ANZIO Rules Changes

2009-07-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

A gentleman on ConsimWorld made several excellent points concerning the ANZIO rules and, after review, the following changes were made.

1) Zone of Control was defined.
2) The advance after combat rule was (hopefully) clarified as optional for the winning stack.
3) In the Combat Results Table, the 9-10+ column results were reduced to result in less damage.
4) The game map and counters were moved into PDF format and should print larger now.

"Anyway, a very good example of a mini game, I like the idea of the solitaire system (which I have yet to try) and the interplay of the weather and bombardment systems."

Thanks for the feedback and the kind words.