GRANT: The Western Campaign of 1862 interview (part 2 of 3) with game designer, Jon Southard

(Part 2 of 3) Join us as we chat with game designer Jon Southard about the new design of "Grant: The Western Campaign of 1862." Discover the major changes and insights behind this exciting game.
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00:00 Introduction
00:45 Design Changes
02:11 Island No. 10
02:35 Union Strategies
03:07 Confederate Navy
04:30 Decision Process
06:58 New Design Highlight
07:11 Conclusion
Design Decisions and Changes
- **Inspiration and Original Work**: The original game, "Grant Moves South", was a Hex-based system typical of 1982. Jon Southard decided on significant changes for a new game instead of a reprint.
- **Box-to-Box System**: The new design uses a box-to-box system, which better represents the road and river networks and their interactions compared to the Hex-based system.
Inclusion of Historical Elements
- **Island Number Ten**: The game includes Island Number Ten, a crucial element of the campaign that was missing in the original. It introduces a third advance axis for the Union and an additional challenge for the Confederates.
- **Confederate Navy**: The game incorporates recent authoritative material on Confederate naval operations, enhancing its historical accuracy and depth. Special rules, such as the use of balloons for spotting naval gunfire, were also added.
Development Philosophy
- **Clean Sheet Approach**: Jon Southard emphasizes his preference for completely new designs over just updating older ones. The decision to redesign "Grant: The Western Campaign of 1862" was made within a few days.
- **Historical Context and Scale**: The revised game aims for accessibility, allowing players to play multiple times in a day on a standard table, in contrast to extensive and large-scale games that require much more time and space.
Comparison to Other Games
- **Great Campaigns of the American Civil War**: While praising the series, Southard explains that his game offers a different approach by focusing on manageable scale and playtime, making it more accessible for players who might not have the time or resources for larger games.
Future Discussions and Game Tour
- **Upcoming Segment**: The next segment will involve a detailed tour of the game components, featuring visuals and commentary. Southard will provide insights and highlight key aspects of the game's design and components.