Berthier is free software that manages wargames campaigns for miniatures. Berthier allows two campaigners, without an umpire, to run simple strategic campaigns leading to tabletop battles. Alternatively umpires can use Berthier to run two sided campaigns. Berthier is suitable for historical, naval or fantasy campaigns in most periods but was developed with the Horse and Musket period in mind.
Pocket Mod is an online application that lets you create an eight page booklet out of a single piece of paper. It’s intended for making pocket organizers—to do lists and the like—but I think it would be a great format for one-page rules systems.
Free Orion is a free computer wargame based on the classic Master of Orion computer game. I spent way too much time playing the original, so I’m worried about downloading the remake. It’s available on Windows, Mac and Linux (hooray!)
People’s Tactics is a free computer wargame for Windows machines. The author writes:
Devious turn-based strategy explodes on to the scene with People’s Tactics… A wargame in the spirit of Empire or Panzer General, but more than both of those titles. Combine furious hex-based mayhem, research and production trees, the ability to command land, air and sea forces and up to 10 players over hot-seat or PBEM and you have the most serious test of your strategic acumen ever!
If you want to do some editing of your wargames photos, or create a drawing or map, you don’t need to lay out $500 for a copy of PhotoShop. You needs may instead be better served by an online tool called Aviary. It’s free (for now).
A new version of the Berthier Campaign Management software is out. Tony DeLyall, the programmer, explains:
Berthier is software that manages wargames campaigns for miniatures. Berthier allows two campaigners, without an umpire, to run simple strategic campaigns leading to tabletop battles. Alternatively umpires can use Berthier to run two sided campaigns. Berthier is suitable for historical, naval or fantasy wargaming in most periods but was developed with the Horse and Musket period in mind. Play by email (PBEM) is possible.
Here’s a very nice online program for generating hex sheets for use with wargames and role playing games. I just used it to generate the paper for a hex based wargame.
Ghouls and Ghosts Remix isn’t a miniatures game, but a computer game based on a 1980 arcade shooter, Ghosts and Goblins. It’s free and the download is a good price for a couple hours diversion.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
