I served with Then Lt Rod Coffey at Ft Drum NY in the late 80’s early 90’s. He was by far one of the best leaders I’ve ever met. Thank you for honoring him!
Very nice done. I used to really enjoy this game. I have no idea what happened to it. I suspect my mother (bless her heart) gave all my stuff away when I was commissioned and reported to my first duty station. :( Used to love the combat matrix cards
I was 10 and this was my very first formal wargame (though I had elaborate rules for playing with toy soldiers). We were living in Indonesia and my grandparents brought it over for Christmas. Played with my dad on a weeklong outing to a tiny island, where we were the only inhabitants. Loved it!!! Like the (then) 15 yr old in the comments below (and probably much more so), I didn't have a great grasp of rules. But I have bought a copy and will be playing with my own son shortly. I already see rules that I did not understand back then.
I have great affection for that game and still have my copy, even though I had published my own game on the American Revolution " War for America" from Compass Games.
Thoroughly enjoyed this game for years. I never missed the generals as I assumed who they were by where the armies were deployed. Looking forward to your game !
I'm war gamer from the early days I played Tactics 2 U boat, Gettysburg, Dispatcher and Verdict all early Avalon Hill games I also played Guadalcanal,Midway and the battle of the bulge in the 1960s
Condolences on your friends passing. As a combat veteran of Vietnam, I am always pleased to see the guys get the proper tribute when they pass on. I must say I always wondered what you looked like and now I know. Your voice is a dead ringer for the American character actor John Fiedler (played Vinnie in the Odd Couple, one of Matthau's poker buddies). You are a lot more good looking than him I must say😀. Always enjoy your intelligent and well presented episodes.
Thank you for the comments. Rod was well appreciated at our conventions and he was a great guy. "I'm in", like everybody else riding out this 'covid thing' so I will keep the videos coming. Glad you enjoy them.
Great job Gilbert. Your vids are my favorite reference for wargame info. 1776 was/still is a great game. Give me Liberty is another good one for the Revolutionary War.
My sincere condolences. 1776 was one of my first detailed wargames. At 15 I don't mind admitting I and my friends were a little out of our depth in terms of knowing how to shape good gameplay. Then again, a year later we were doing our history O level (first major UK school exams that really count for something). As we had covered the American Revolution by then, the game was a real help as we looked at the Saratoga campaign, French intervention and a range of other things. I too still own a copy, and whatever the design lacks it is still, as you say, a great game. I was actually preparing to sort the units for Tarleton's Quarter today (the plastic box slid over making a bit of a muddle!), so this video is all the more interesting. And I do hope you continue with your own American Rev War design. Your Mr Madison's War is a quality opus.
Yes, 1776 is an old favourite with me and I still have ideas of doing a new game on the American Revolution. I also have 'Tarleton's Quarter' and thought it was quite good.
My own 'American Revolution' game is proceeding nicely now. I'm trying to take 'the best' of all the games we have seen on the topic from the past and work them into this new one. Of course, I will 'edit out' all the stuff I didn't like. We are play testing now and when the time comes I may do an introductory video based on the proto-type.
Thanks for the vote of confidence Paul. I've actually been working on this project ever since Mr. Madison's War. This is my 3rd attempt at it. My first was a point to point game done in the "Madison's' style but it didn't quite work for me. I then did an 'area' version and once again I wasn't satisfied. I think this time I have it right. Only time will tell.
Gilbert, good review and dedication. The people I have met in gaming groups tend to be great people. It was also great to see you Gilbert. We usually just get the voice, the game, and the tweezers (and sometimes background noizes like Bagpipes or birds). Thanks for sharing with us. All the best!
Avalon Hill was great not only for its games but for its spare parts availability. I too replaced my 1776 counters with a new set. I did the same for several AH hill games. Too bad current companies don't have a similar spare parts department.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. I really enjoy this as well as your other videos. Very helpful for someone like myself that was not involved in the hobby when many of the older games you cover came out. They have encouraged me to pick up used copies of some great games. I actually bought a copy of this game a few months ago because the price was so good, I think less $10 and seemed different then what else was out there. I will be interested to see how your attempt on a AR game goes.
Yes, I was aware of those but they didn't add too much to the game. In the end they were only more modifiers for combat. For next good "American Revolution" game I think leaders have to be more active in any future simulation.
1776 was one of my old favorites. Leader counters and rules for their use was later added in Avalon Hill's The General Vol 25 No. 4. I thought they made a terrific addition. The ability of the British to coordinate movement across hundreds of miles was always ahistorical. The leader counters solved this issue. However the addition of leader counters makes British victory, by the original rules, impossible. You definitely have to modify the victory conditions.
Yes, I realize that any 'new game' on the American Revolution that utilizes many of the concepts from '1776' will need some new concepts for victory conditions. I have started and stopped this project twice now but I want to give it one more go. I have tried an 'area' version a 'point to point' version and now I think I will go back to a hexagon version.
I always thought the victory conditions in 1776 were a good representation of what the British needed to do to suppress the rebellion. The addition of the Leader counters showed clearly what a nearly impossible task that was going to be for the British and I think this is pretty much the historical verdict as well. As long as the Continental Congress could keep armies in the field and maintain enough public support, the Revolution was going to succeed. In any historical simulation it should feel like ice skating up a long steep hill for the British. To make it a more competitive game, maybe staggered levels of victory would work. To achieve a Decisive victory the Americans have to drive the British out of the Colonies to a degree actually achieved and so on. A minor American victory is limiting British control to 2-3 States. A minor British victory is controlling 4 States (if you think about that, that 1/3 of the colonies under British control. Not historically insignificant. And so on....
We played at least a half dozen times and liked it. Coming out at the time of the Revolution bi-centennial my mom advised me to get an extra copy of it and keep it shrink-wrapped, which I did, because she said it would only increase in value. It is also because she told me not to open it that I never had. I am now playing the American Revolution using the JTS system which really does have the feel of my beloved old board games.
Hello Doc: It's no secret that this was my favourite game in the 1970's. Late on, when "We the People" was released I ported over to that one but never forgot this old classic. I have played just about every strategic game there is on the American Revolution and I have liked/disliked them for various reasons. I hope you will consider my own "War for America" which should be out this year from Compass Games. It's my take on the Revolution from a British/Canadian perspective but it does cover the entire war. I tried to take the 'best' of all the designs over the years and edit out the stuff I didn't care for. Take care.
Love ya, Gilbert. Thanks for doing a vid on this game. I never played it - I was 9 years old when it was released, but was already a hardcore wargamer, mostly AH games at that time. I didn't know much about the ARW at the time, so though I was intrigued by this game, I skipped it. Now I fear that I would find it too dated to get into. I hope you continue with your design idea, particularly a hex based design on this conflict. I would certainly buy it. I only knew Rod by his online comments. I'm sorry for the loss to his friends and family, you do him honor by commenting here about his favorite game.
Thanks Michael. I'm hard at work on a hexagon based game on the American Revolution. I have great respect for nearly all of the titles that have come before, but somehow, they are still not right for me. Actually, I have been secretly working on this project for years, when I get something more concrete I will eventually start a folder on Consim.
Very nice tribute Gilbert and good review of a classic game. I completely agree with you, the big strategic ARW game has yet to be made and 1776 although dated comes the closest. My dream would simply be to make a new edition of this game, same board same hex grid although updated to show wilderness areas, major roads etc. Modernize all the systems including adding leaders however keep the units as generic. Perhaps some sort of disorganized rule similar to TUSCW. Also revamp the supply rules and as you mentioned, add in political rules and some sort of system for local support of the populace based on events and the strategic situation. Also some sort of forage rules in the winter. Still clearly recognizable as 1776 only a lot better. The only thing I would take from Liberty or Death is the map artist to revamp the 1776 board into a real stunner. Too bad that Rod wouldn't get the see the rebirth of this classic though.
Hello Tom. You took the words right out of my mouth. What I really want is a totally re-vamped "1776". I have started the project this very day. All of the ideas that you mentioned I want in this game. Borrowing the 'best of' concepts from "US Civil War" and other games. All, catered of course to the revolution. The board that I am thinking of will be extremely similar to 1776.
A nice tribute to your gaming friend Gilbert, and an interesting take on 1776. I hope you complete your AWI project. 10 years ago I wrote a survey of AWI strategic games for Against the Odds (an issue back in 2007, IIRC). You didn't mention Berg's '13', BTW - quite a good sim, I thought. Anyway, I still think there's a gap in the market there. Andrew
Hello Andrew. Yes, I thought Richard Berg's take on the Revolution very good. In fact I did a video review of it also. Working heavily against it were the deficiencies of the " magazine format" and a very dark and gloomy map board. A boxed edition and a better map I think would have made this game more popular.
Great review. I've had this game for ever but never played it because it was always mouthed when compared to newer games. Your review was a breath of fresh air, going to pull it of the shelf and give it a try. What was that grand scale napoleonic game avalon hill put out back in the bay?
That was the game "War and Peace". It was a bookshelf type box game but I'm sorry to say it wasn't very good. The naval aspect was bad and the counters had no 'Napoleonic Flavour' at all. The game itself didn't even feel Napoleonic.
Hi Gilbert. Great review. I also have this game but have not played it. For your 1776 game you are working on - Have you thought of starting with 1776 and modifying it to incorporate the features that you like? If such a project would be possible from the copy rights etc. I would start with 1776, add political events, leadership and an expanded repertoire to the tactical component. It would probably make for a long game but it may be worth it if the games plays well. Good Luck. I always enjoy your reviews.
The game that I'm working on now "War for America" has gone through many permutations. And one of them WAS a '1776' variant. But I felt that it would be too much work to try and get that version printed with Hasbro, Avalon Hill rights etc....so I went in a different direction. Friends and I are play testing it now and I hope to bring a photo-type down to WBC this summer.
I know this is an older video, but I just ran across it. I was always a fan of Avalon Hill games when I was in high school. Is this game playable solo? Unfortunately at this point in my life, I do not have any wargame opponents that live close by. Good review. Russ
I served with Then Lt Rod Coffey at Ft Drum NY in the late 80’s early 90’s. He was by far one of the best leaders I’ve ever met. Thank you for honoring him!
My condolences for Mr. Coffey. 1776 was one of my first war-games. Being in a small town, I soloed it quite a bit.
Very nice done. I used to really enjoy this game. I have no idea what happened to it. I suspect my mother (bless her heart) gave all my stuff away when I was commissioned and reported to my first duty station. :(
Used to love the combat matrix cards
I was 10 and this was my very first formal wargame (though I had elaborate rules for playing with toy soldiers). We were living in Indonesia and my grandparents brought it over for Christmas. Played with my dad on a weeklong outing to a tiny island, where we were the only inhabitants. Loved it!!! Like the (then) 15 yr old in the comments below (and probably much more so), I didn't have a great grasp of rules. But I have bought a copy and will be playing with my own son shortly. I already see rules that I did not understand back then.
I have great affection for that game and still have my copy, even though I had published my own game on the American Revolution " War for America" from Compass Games.
Thoroughly enjoyed this game for years. I never missed the generals as I assumed who they were by where the armies were deployed. Looking forward to your game !
I'm war gamer from the early days I played Tactics 2 U boat, Gettysburg, Dispatcher and Verdict all early Avalon Hill games I also played Guadalcanal,Midway and the battle of the bulge in the 1960s
Condolences on your friends passing. As a combat veteran of Vietnam, I am always pleased to see the guys get the proper tribute when they pass on.
I must say I always wondered what you looked like and now I know. Your voice is a dead ringer for the American character actor John Fiedler (played Vinnie in the Odd Couple, one of Matthau's poker buddies). You are a lot more good looking than him I must say😀.
Always enjoy your intelligent and well presented episodes.
Thank you for the comments. Rod was well appreciated at our conventions and he was a great guy. "I'm in", like everybody else riding out this 'covid thing' so I will keep the videos coming. Glad you enjoy them.
Great job Gilbert. Your vids are my favorite reference for wargame info. 1776 was/still is a great game. Give me Liberty is another good one for the Revolutionary War.
My sincere condolences. 1776 was one of my first detailed wargames. At 15 I don't mind admitting I and my friends were a little out of our depth in terms of knowing how to shape good gameplay. Then again, a year later we were doing our history O level (first major UK school exams that really count for something). As we had covered the American Revolution by then, the game was a real help as we looked at the Saratoga campaign, French intervention and a range of other things.
I too still own a copy, and whatever the design lacks it is still, as you say, a great game. I was actually preparing to sort the units for Tarleton's Quarter today (the plastic box slid over making a bit of a muddle!), so this video is all the more interesting. And I do hope you continue with your own American Rev War design. Your Mr Madison's War is a quality opus.
Yes, 1776 is an old favourite with me and I still have ideas of doing a new game on the American Revolution. I also have 'Tarleton's Quarter' and thought it was quite good.
My own 'American Revolution' game is proceeding nicely now. I'm trying to take 'the best' of all the games we have seen on the topic from the past and work them into this new one. Of course, I will 'edit out' all the stuff I didn't like. We are play testing now and when the time comes I may do an introductory video based on the proto-type.
I've love to see a progress report whenever you feel you are ready. I rather sense this is a subject tailor-made for you. Good luck!
Thanks for the vote of confidence Paul. I've actually been working on this project ever since Mr. Madison's War. This is my 3rd attempt at it. My first was a point to point game done in the "Madison's' style but it didn't quite work for me. I then did an 'area' version and once again I wasn't satisfied. I think this time I have it right. Only time will tell.
I know this is an old video, but dang, that is/was a pristine copy.
Yes, that was a 're-bought' copy and I still have it. Don't play it anymore.
Condolences on his passing. Great show and great job ! I always enjoyed this game.
This was my first wargame, in 1976
Gilbert, good review and dedication. The people I have met in gaming groups tend to be great people. It was also great to see you Gilbert. We usually just get the voice, the game, and the tweezers (and sometimes background noizes like Bagpipes or birds). Thanks for sharing with us. All the best!
Avalon Hill was great not only for its games but for its spare parts availability. I too replaced my 1776 counters with a new set. I did the same for several AH hill games. Too bad current companies don't have a similar spare parts department.
I didn't know him, but a very nice opening for Mr. Coffey.
My condolences for the loss of a friend, Gilbert.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. I really enjoy this as well as your other videos. Very helpful for someone like myself that was not involved in the hobby when many of the older games you cover came out. They have encouraged me to pick up used copies of some great games. I actually bought a copy of this game a few months ago because the price was so good, I think less $10 and seemed different then what else was out there. I will be interested to see how your attempt on a AR game goes.
Leader counters and rules were of course added at a later time and are available.
Yes, I was aware of those but they didn't add too much to the game. In the end they were only more modifiers for combat. For next good "American Revolution" game I think leaders have to be more active in any future simulation.
1776 was one of my old favorites. Leader counters and rules for their use was later added in Avalon Hill's The General Vol 25 No. 4. I thought they made a terrific addition. The ability of the British to coordinate movement across hundreds of miles was always ahistorical. The leader counters solved this issue. However the addition of leader counters makes British victory, by the original rules, impossible. You definitely have to modify the victory conditions.
Yes, I realize that any 'new game' on the American Revolution that utilizes many of the concepts from '1776' will need some new concepts for victory conditions. I have started and stopped this project twice now but I want to give it one more go. I have tried an 'area' version a 'point to point' version and now I think I will go back to a hexagon version.
I always thought the victory conditions in 1776 were a good representation of what the British needed to do to suppress the rebellion. The addition of the Leader counters showed clearly what a nearly impossible task that was going to be for the British and I think this is pretty much the historical verdict as well. As long as the Continental Congress could keep armies in the field and maintain enough public support, the Revolution was going to succeed. In any historical simulation it should feel like ice skating up a long steep hill for the British. To make it a more competitive game, maybe staggered levels of victory would work. To achieve a Decisive victory the Americans have to drive the British out of the Colonies to a degree actually achieved and so on. A minor American victory is limiting British control to 2-3 States. A minor British victory is controlling 4 States (if you think about that, that 1/3 of the colonies under British control. Not historically insignificant. And so on....
Great video! Looking forward to playing next week.
I agree with you completely re the Berg game. What a map! I'll certainly check out your review of it. Andrew
Nice work, Gilbert. Just picked up Mr Madison's War after reading Hugh Howard's account of the conflict.
We played at least a half dozen times and liked it. Coming out at the time of the Revolution bi-centennial my mom advised me to get an extra copy of it and keep it shrink-wrapped, which I did, because she said it would only increase in value. It is also because she told me not to open it that I never had. I am now playing the American Revolution using the JTS system which really does have the feel of my beloved old board games.
Hello Doc: It's no secret that this was my favourite game in the 1970's. Late on, when "We the People" was released I ported over to that one but never forgot this old classic. I have played just about every strategic game there is on the American Revolution and I have liked/disliked them for various reasons. I hope you will consider my own "War for America" which should be out this year from Compass Games. It's my take on the Revolution from a British/Canadian perspective but it does cover the entire war. I tried to take the 'best' of all the designs over the years and edit out the stuff I didn't care for. Take care.
Love ya, Gilbert. Thanks for doing a vid on this game. I never played it - I was 9 years old when it was released, but was already a hardcore wargamer, mostly AH games at that time. I didn't know much about the ARW at the time, so though I was intrigued by this game, I skipped it. Now I fear that I would find it too dated to get into. I hope you continue with your design idea, particularly a hex based design on this conflict. I would certainly buy it.
I only knew Rod by his online comments. I'm sorry for the loss to his friends and family, you do him honor by commenting here about his favorite game.
Thanks Michael. I'm hard at work on a hexagon based game on the American Revolution. I have great respect for nearly all of the titles that have come before, but somehow, they are still not right for me. Actually, I have been secretly working on this project for years, when I get something more concrete I will eventually start a folder on Consim.
Very nice tribute Gilbert and good review of a classic game. I completely agree with you, the big strategic ARW game has yet to be made and 1776 although dated comes the closest. My dream would simply be to make a new edition of this game, same board same hex grid although updated to show wilderness areas, major roads etc. Modernize all the systems including adding leaders however keep the units as generic. Perhaps some sort of disorganized rule similar to TUSCW. Also revamp the supply rules and as you mentioned, add in political rules and some sort of system for local support of the populace based on events and the strategic situation. Also some sort of forage rules in the winter. Still clearly recognizable as 1776 only a lot better. The only thing I would take from Liberty or Death is the map artist to revamp the 1776 board into a real stunner. Too bad that Rod wouldn't get the see the rebirth of this classic though.
Hello Tom. You took the words right out of my mouth. What I really want is a totally re-vamped "1776". I have started the project this very day. All of the ideas that you mentioned I want in this game. Borrowing the 'best of' concepts from "US Civil War" and other games. All, catered of course to the revolution. The board that I am thinking of will be extremely similar to 1776.
Man, im sorry to hear that. :(
Nice dedication. Nice video as always and nice french! Haha
A nice tribute to your gaming friend Gilbert, and an interesting take on 1776. I hope you complete your AWI project. 10 years ago I wrote a survey of AWI strategic games for Against the Odds (an issue back in 2007, IIRC). You didn't mention Berg's '13', BTW - quite a good sim, I thought. Anyway, I still think there's a gap in the market there. Andrew
Hello Andrew. Yes, I thought Richard Berg's take on the Revolution very good. In fact I did a video review of it also. Working heavily against it were the deficiencies of the " magazine format" and a very dark and gloomy map board. A boxed edition and a better map I think would have made this game more popular.
Condolences.
Condolences for the lose of a friend.
Perhaps you could base your ARW on 1776 with the elements you find missing in the Avalon Hill version.
Great review. I've had this game for ever but never played it because it was always mouthed when compared to newer games. Your review was a breath of fresh air, going to pull it of the shelf and give it a try. What was that grand scale napoleonic game avalon hill put out back in the bay?
That was the game "War and Peace". It was a bookshelf type box game but I'm sorry to say it wasn't very good. The naval aspect was bad and the counters had no 'Napoleonic Flavour' at all. The game itself didn't even feel Napoleonic.
Good video, absolutely fabulous map,does anyone know if there is a similar game for ACW.
Hi Gilbert. Great review. I also have this game but have not played it. For your 1776 game you are working on - Have you thought of starting with 1776 and modifying it to incorporate the features that you like? If such a project would be possible from the copy rights etc. I would start with 1776, add political events, leadership and an expanded repertoire to the tactical component. It would probably make for a long game but it may be worth it if the games plays well. Good Luck. I always enjoy your reviews.
The game that I'm working on now "War for America" has gone through many permutations. And one of them WAS a '1776' variant. But I felt that it would be too much work to try and get that version printed with Hasbro, Avalon Hill rights etc....so I went in a different direction. Friends and I are play testing it now and I hope to bring a photo-type down to WBC this summer.
Worcester is NOT how you pronounced it LOL! But we are peculiar in New England and the review was cool. Thanks!
This was my very first wargame....played it when I was in...fifth grade?
I think Caesar's Legions used the same card system for combat.
I know this is an older video, but I just ran across it. I was always a fan of Avalon Hill games when I was in high school. Is this game playable solo? Unfortunately at this point in my life, I do not have any wargame opponents that live close by.
Good review.
Russ
You would lose a little of the 'hidden movement' for the Colonials but his can definitely be played solo.
Wustah
“Worcester” is pronounced “wustah” or “wistah”.
Or, for all the weirdos who let the letter R ruin their speech, it’s something like “wustr”.