"What rules have been successful in recent times?" Topic

Following on from bills thread about what makes a game successful, what ones do you consider fit the criteria in that thread….. TMP link

Let's name them, whether YOU like the rules or not.

I'll start:

Flames of War – got people playing it
Bolt Action – as above
DBA- as above
Frostgrave – as above

Mordheim has had a resurgence as of late- Just look at the Mordheim FB group.

Chain of command seems to be getting a lot of attention. I think they are a good set of rules.

Following on from bills thread about what makes a game successful,

But the discussion in that thread recognised that he wasn't asking about what makes a game "successful" but rather what criteria we judge a game by.

And given the individuality of wargamers that will vary enormously.

Hillbillies and Aliens

Saga

Lion Rampant
Songs of Blades and Heroes

Black Powder

For me personally, most sets from Two hour war Games.

Locally:

Bolt Action (a "C" for me.)

TS&TF (some things, good, bad, indifferent just hang on – possibly because they are generic enough to be adaptable or because they are familiar, neither of which is a bad thing automatically) due to the efforts of one local.

I am curious to see what is popular at Command Con this week-end.

Kings of War

If people are enjoying it, it's a success. Last week, for my gaming friend Fusilier Dan and I, it was our interpretation of Ross MacFarlane's traditional toy soldier game.

For me (according to the criteria listed in the other thread).

Fireball Forward.
Fistful of Tows 3
IABSM

DBA all incarnations seems to be highly successful.

TSATF

Fire and Fury Brigade ACW

I love the way these discussions tend to turn into "my favourite rules are…"

FOW
Bolt Action
Black Powder

I dislike the first, feel the second is deeply flawed and vaguely like the last. I'd put none of them in my top ten games but all are successful

Major B. Yes I am aware of that but I expect people to follow on from the other thread using their own criteria. As there are already several sets of rules mentioned here more than once, it looks like different people may sometimes share the same criteria.

Who would have thought that on TMP!

but I expect people to follow on from the other thread using their own criteria.

Judging a game by my own criteria doesn't make it successful, except IMHO.

Sam Mustafa's games: Maurice, Longstreet and especially Blucher seem to have a lot of traction, of late

Major b, in which case, please don't participate and let the people who will enjoy this thread enjoy it. Thank you.

Bmcfarin… These aren't rules I have played, but out of curiousity, do they all use similar rules adapted for different wars, or are they all very different to one another?

What is "recent" ?

Twohourwargames have carved out a significant and very vocal niche in a relatively short span of time.

Chain of command managed to become a "always mention" in very little time.

I'd consider those big successes in a short time frame.

Several sets of rules that have come about and proven themselves "successful:"

games that came out and contine to expand):
Flames of War
Black Powder
SAGA
Bolt Action

Classis that have stood the test of time (decades):
Fire and Fury
The Sword and the Flame
DBX (which I don't like, but you can't beat success)

Chain of Command
IABSM

Song of Blades and Heroes and the others from Ganesha Games

Second Song of Blades and Heroes, now moving on with Advanced Rules and a dedicated line of miniatures. Not bad for just a couple of Italian guys!

Although I much prefer to play the Napoleonic rules, and want to play more Flying Lead and Flashing Steel, I wouldn't call these other expansions very popular, at least not compared to the flagship fantasy game.

Also successful in recent times would be many of the ones already mentioned: Flames of War, Black Powder, Chain of Command, etc.

Bloody Big Battles

Hail Caesar
To The Strongest
DBA
DBR
Flames of war
Check Your Six
War At Sea
WHFB v2
Bloody Big Battles
Longstreet

Don't leave out Disposable Heroes and its variants.

Who cares?
Five years ago Command Decision and Crossfire would be on this list. In five years hence FOW and Bolt Action will become as CD and Conliffe's game are today. Anyone remember Brian Stokes Tank Charts?

Pulp Alley is the most straightforward and flexible combat game I know.It also manages to be the game most like a rpg I without needing a game master--also a success IMHO. On the other hand, it doesn't really simulate any particular conflict, so isn't a success by that criterion.

Sam Mustafa's games: Maurice, Longstreet and especially Blucher seem to have a lot of traction, of late

These aren't rules I have played, but out of curiousity, do they all use similar rules adapted for different wars, or are they all very different to one another?

They are all quite different to one another, very much tailored around the period and warfare they are designed to represent.

Maurice gives a good feel for linear style battles with 18th Century limitations on command and control. Longstreet has a gem of a campaign system which homes in on officer personalities at more-or-less the brigade level. Blucher is grand tactical, sweeping Napoleonics, allowing you to represent the battles you've read about in the history books.

Maurice and Longstreet use cards as a feature of command and control – an aspect I love but some others don't. Blucher uses cards as an optional alternative to miniatures but is otherwise completely dice-driven.

So, all great games, all very different.