gets started with Flintloque.
EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE
It's now possible to edit your address, email address and contact information easily using our website.
Look for an Update My Account button. Login with your email address and password. Among the changes you can make:
- Record separate billing and shipping addresses (the default is the same).
- Change your email (which updates preorders and wishlist items).
- Record your birthday month (to receive special savings during your next birthday month).
ROMMEL IN THE DESERT
Rommel in the Desert is back in print. If you haven't ordered yet, order now.
Some small corrections to the rules have been entered and version 1.01 is now available for download. Changes are marked in red.
PACIFIC VICTORY CYBERBOARD GAMESET
A gameset of Pacific Victory has been created by Ernie Berg and posted for free download.
BATTLEBOARD
Download the battleboard for Bobby Lee, Sam Grant, and Napoleon.
Every now and then when playing Bobby Lee, Sam Grant, and Napoleon more than two battles occur. Now you can print out extra copies of the battleboard as needed. Download from any of the three game pages:
CONVENTIONS
PREZCON 2005 - CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
FEBRUARY 23-27, 2005
There's only a little over a month until Prezcon.
Register before January 31 to get a free shirt or hat.
Columbia Games (Grant Dalgliesh and Ferkin Doyle) are excited to attend and sponsor many events:
- Liberty
- War of 1812
- Hammer of the Scots
- Gettysburg
- Dixie
- Pacific Victory
- Rommel in the Desert
Jerry Taylor (Hammer of the Scots) is planning to attend and demo Crusader Rex.
BLOCK PARTY 2005 - COLUMBUS OHIO
May 13-15, 2005
Columbus, OH
Dates for the 2005 Block Party are set. Schedule will be posted when available.
REMINDERS
BUNDLES ARE BACK
By popular demand we're bringing back wargame bundles (EuroFront, Civil War, Classic, and Victory) and the Wizard Kings Bundle. Note that the Civil War bundle now includes Gettysburg: Badges of Courage.
Bundles have a built-in discount of 10% and always ship free!
GAMEPLAN REMINDER
Please note that after 500 preorders, the gameplan discount is reduced to 10%. Preorders are still accepted at the 10% discount until shipping.
LIBERTY REVIEW
"You Say You Want a Revolution"
By David Wilson
In 1775, a British general marched upon Lexington and Concord to seize arms to prevent a colonial uprising. As his force approached the "rebels" someone fired "the shot that was heard 'round the world."
Gamers interested in events that followed should play Columbia's Liberty to decide if what followed was truly a revolution or perhaps only a rebellion.
Liberty uses mechanics similar to those of the award-winning Hammer of the Scots. The familiar block system simulates the "fog of war."
Blocks are like miniature dominoes which stand upright facing their controlling player. Players see locations of enemy units, but strengths and types of enemy units remain unrevealed until battle occurs.
At the end of any game year the British win by controlling 30 supply points. The Americans win at year's end if British supply points drop below twelve, or at the end of game if the British fail to obtain 30 supply points.
During each game year, players play 5 cards (numbered 1-3) one at a time to determine initiative and how many actions they may perform. Each point on a card provides a player with one. An action may be to move a group of blocks from one location to one or more locations or he may draw a replacement block and bring it into play. A supply card only restores strength points to weakened units. A die roll for weather affects may or may not affect operations.
Each unit in Liberty has its own abilities. Leaders fight and provide supply. Warships ferry troops about, fight naval battles, and bombard coastal areas. Indians are British allies and easily move through wilderness areas. French units may or may not become available since their entry into the war depends on a die roll.
Britain rules the sea. English units enter from the Atlantic box and can threaten any port space along the coast if a ship is present to transport them. British and French both are limited to three warships. The Americans cannot conduct naval operations unless France enters the war.
Combat is straightforward. Each block has a rating of A-C and 1-3. Each round, units get the opportunity to fire or retreat in alphabetical order, with defenders going first in case of ties. Fire is not simultaneous, so defenders may be able to inflict damage and reduce the attacker's number of shots. Die rolls equal to or less than the unit's rating count as hits on enemy units. After three rounds of inconclusive combat the battle ends with the attacker retreating.
The optional combat rules make the game much more appealing. Militia and Loyalists may fire at a higher strength in round 1 of combat, but must retreat in round 2. French, British and Hessian regulars may conduct bayonet charges at a higher strength in round 2, but must retreat on round 3 if their side has not emerged victorious. Another rule allows the defender to fire at retreating units in a fourth round of combat. These simple rules should not be optional as they provide added excitement to combat.
Captured pieces may be exchanged, but it won't happen often. Players might occasionally encounter generous opponents who will trade to improve competition. Players desperate enough to trade have already lost the game.
The game components are functional. The cardboard map board is sturdy, but lacks some terrain details like mountains.
Liberty is a great game that is easy to learn, quick to play, and true to the historical events that inspired it. It offers a fresh gaming perspective to the War for American Independence.