| 6mmACW | 14 Jun 2014 1:12 p.m. PST |
After posting some recent AARs showing our large matchbox rig, a number of players asked how we use this at our club. It really is a great way to run a double blind game without a GM--all the credit for this concept goes to the great Don Featherstone, who wrote about it many years ago. But I've posted a 3-pg PDF online that explains how we use the matchbox rig for hidden movement, spotting, scouting, etc. I should mention that it works perfectly well in all periods and games. We used it for WW2, as well!
link |
| morrigan | 14 Jun 2014 2:45 p.m. PST |
Haven't seen that in years! :) |
| Stern Rake Studio | 15 Jun 2014 3:32 a.m. PST |
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| Ben Waterhouse | 15 Jun 2014 4:17 a.m. PST |
That takes me back. Lovely. |
| ACW Gamer | 15 Jun 2014 5:08 a.m. PST |
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| 6mmACW | 15 Jun 2014 7:25 a.m. PST |
Amazing to me that after all these years, this "old school" method is still one of the best solutions to an otherwise intractable gamer problem. If other players are holding out some great, secret solution for running double blind games, please do share! We've tried all sorts of methods in our club, and I think the Featherstone matchboxes are still the simplest, most elegant solution so far. |
 miniMo  | 15 Jun 2014 7:55 a.m. PST |
I always thought that was a super-cool idea. But alas, never had a lifestyle that generated that many match boxes…. |
 BigRedBat  | 15 Jun 2014 9:37 a.m. PST |
Nostalgic! I've always wanted to try that. |
| arthur1815 | 15 Jun 2014 1:18 p.m. PST |
I felt the same way as miniMo, but never acquired enough matchboxes because no one in my family smoked. Does anyone know of a heathier product that comes in a similar box with a sliding tray? |
| ACW Gamer | 15 Jun 2014 1:29 p.m. PST |
Again, the internet answers our pleas for help! link |
| donlowry | 15 Jun 2014 1:52 p.m. PST |
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| 6mmACW | 15 Jun 2014 2:39 p.m. PST |
Haha, smoking is not required. You can buy them in bulk packs at a dollar store. I think my entire rig of 192 matchboxes cost less than $20. USD |
| Who asked this joker | 16 Jun 2014 11:11 a.m. PST |
I will point out that the matchbox rig is nothing more than a physical computer array. You could accomplish the same thing on a computer pretty easily. We used a computer to plot movement for a Napoleonic campaign many years ago. My friend had an IBM PC. I programmed the computer to track movement on a map similar to yours. Armies could move a square per turn. I think we plotted movement in sequences of three or 4 orders if memory serves. It was, essentially, the matchbox rig on the computer. |
| marshalGreg | 19 Jun 2014 5:22 a.m. PST |
Who asked this joker If I was to set-up something now on the PC what program would I use and how would it work? MG |
| ACW Gamer | 19 Jun 2014 3:07 p.m. PST |
"physical computer array." You say that like its a bad thing |
| EJNashIII | 19 Jun 2014 7:12 p.m. PST |
MarshalGreg, Isn't this a simple Excel array? |
| marshalGreg | 20 Jun 2014 11:14 a.m. PST |
How would you do it in the excel spreadsheet?
I am not able to concept that at the moment.
Would it be with the "insert comments" boxes? MG |
