Thursday 29 February 2024

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast - Episode 51 - Xmas Brews in the Binyard 2023

 


A bit late to the blog, but Its back, the Podcast within a Podcast, our traditional (well 3rd episode) of the Brews in the Binyard Xmas Special. Link below,

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-51-xmas-brews-in-the-binyard-2023/

After being serious this year with special episodes on Paintbrushes and Papal Zouaves its time to let our hair down with a festive blow out. Sadly our usual hombre Sean Clark wasn't available this year so the wonderful Iain McDonald of Flags of War has stepped in, so Sean's Mexican corner is now Iains Jacobite Corner.

As usual the episode has a Parental Guidance Sticker as Alex can't stop swearing (as usual), I am of course as clean as a church mouse !

Sadly the recording of the track for Alex in part 1 didn't record so I have edited it together as best as I can, I couldn't leave out the Mistletoe and Wine bit.

Then Part 2 sees us review the recent entries into Wargames room 101 before moving onto a hot topic chat about how History is represented on the big screen. I then have my own Perry Miniatures related rant !

Finally its your questions and me and Alex actual get serious on our Complexity vs Playablity Session for a least 5 minutes.

Hope you all have a great Xmas and New Year. Its been a great 2023 for the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast and I want to thank everyone who has listened in. I hope to be back in the New Year with many more.

Until then, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

As always here's the previous episode on the Utubes 



Thursday 1 February 2024

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast - Episode 50 - Toofatlardies World Cup Winners

 

For my Golden Jubilee Episode I thought I'd celebrate with a couple of the hobbies luminaries, who just happen to have recently won the World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules with their Chain of Command WW2 set, not only that the runners up were another one of their rule sets, Sharp Practice.

The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-50-toofatlardies-world-cup-winners/

Nick and Rich have done many Podcasts in the past so I tried to approach familiar topics from a different angle or ask new questions, in Part 2 I turned the tables on Rich and got him to interview me on Sidney Roundwoods 7 golden rules of Podcasting.


It was a great way to celebrate 50 Episodes, here's to another 50 more !

The next episode will be the Xmas Brews in the Binyard, I did have another 3 episodes planned for this year, but I don't want to make the same mistake as last year and end up burning out trying to catch up, so those will appear early in 2024.

Finally thanks to all the listeners over the last 50 episodes, great to have you all on board.

Until next time, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer 

As usual here is the precious episode, now on the Utubes 



Sunday 28 January 2024

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast - Episode 49 Dave Brown - O Pickett de Armee

 

I'm miles behind on the blog but want to keep it ticking over, so there will be a few Podcast catch up posts over the coming days

After last episodes Paintbrush Geek Out its time to return to the regular format of the show with one of the hobbies premier rule writers.

You can listen to the show on any major Podcast Host or via the link below 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-49-dave-brown-o-pickett-de-armee/

Dave Brown broke into the world of wargames rules with his Napoleonic set General de Brigade and since then has developed successful sets of rules in both WW2 and the ACW, with other taking forward the basic system into the AWI, Seven Years War and late 19th Century Europe.

Dave has recently joined forces with the toofatlardies to reinvigorate his earlier rules and we now have another holy trinity of O Group, Pickett's Charge and General de Armee.

We cover all the usual sections and have a good laugh through the quiz and Wargames Room 101.

We have a quick chat about the forthcoming GdeA2 but mostly its me asking him how long it took to think of the name.

Its a long one, over 3 hours so make sure you have a couple of pints of milk in so you can keep the brews coming !

Next episode will be my Golden Jubilee so I will be having special guests Nick Skinner and Rich Clarke on to celebrate their remarkable achievement of getting two rule sets in the final of the recent World Cup of Wargames Rules.

Until then, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

The previous episode is available on the Utubes 



Friday 6 October 2023

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast Episode 48 Peter Thompson - Pro Arte Brushes

 

Its Podcast time again, this episode I've stepped aside from the usual format to get a deep dive into the world of paint brushes.

My guest is Peter Thompson, the head honcho at Pro Arte a company based in my favourite place in the world, Skipton.

The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below,

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-48-peter-thompson-pro-arte/

We had a lovely chat covering the history of the company before moving on and discussing the finer points (pun intended) of the brush making world. From brush types, to materials, to handles, to brush care, its all there.

Its important for me to step slightly outside the Wargaming World and have guests who can enlighten us on aspects that maybe sit just outside our hobby yet still have a big influence on it, I hope you enjoy it.


The main Pro Arte website detailing the full range of brushes is here,

Pro Arte UK Artist Paint Brush Makers | Watercolour, Acytlic Oil Painting

Recently a company called ABC Brushes has started to attend UK Wargames shows selling some Pro Arte brushes so you should be able to pick some up there.

ABC Brushes



My next episode will be with the Big Game rule writer, Dave Brown.

Until then, Sithee

 

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

 

Monday 25 September 2023

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast - Episode 47 David Manley - Naval Wargaming

 


Welcome to Episode 47 of the Podcast and this time we take a look at one of my  favourite Wargaming niches, that is Naval Wargaming.

The episode is avaliable on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-47-david-manley-naval-wargaming/

And to help me on that journey I have press ganged David Manley to guide us through a minefield of turning circles, broadside markers and wind gauges.


David has been involved in Naval Wargaming most of his life, inspired by his fathers service in The Royal Navy in WW2, he has gone on to a career in Naval Ship design and currently uses wargaming within his course content at UCL.

If its Ancient Galleys, Ships of the Line, Pre and Post Dreadnoughts or Nuclear Powered Carriers, David has written a set of rules for them or desigend a 3d ship for them so who better to help us get our feet wet.


David's rules and 3d ships can be found on the link below,

https://www.wargamevault.com/browse.php?author=David%20Manley

Sit back and enjoy our chat about all things Naval.


The next episode will be out in 10 days, its already recorded. I will be speaking with Peter Thompson who is the owner of Pro Arte, The manufacturer and supplier of paint brushes to Yarkshire Gamer (and a few others !) for over 40 years.

The last episode is also now available on the utubes



Until then, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

Thursday 14 September 2023

The Grand Final of The World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules

 

OK it's time to vote, it's the Final !

Voting open until 14.30 on this Sunday 17th Sept.

#WW2 vs #Napoleonics - Sean Bean as Sharpe vs Anthony Hopkins as Frost - @TooFatLardies vs @TooFatLardies - skirmish vs skirmish (insert shaking head emoji)

#wargames #wargaming #history



We have a winner ! 

On the 22/7/23 The Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules began.

105 sets of rules were nominated, 14,111 were votes cast. At the end there could be only one winner and that of course is Wargaming 😎

With 612 votes to 575 Chain of Command is thetop dog over Sharp Practice. 

Congrats to @TooFatLardies and @Dozibugger for getting 2 sets of their rules in the final it's a fantastic achievement in itself especially with the volume of votes cast.

Although our tables look very different I admire massively their drive and determination to push the boundaries of our hobby, to make it accessible to more people. By doing events like those at the Hartenstein Hotel and the We Have Ways Festival they are fantastic ambassadors for our hobby.

I think that the Lardies and their community do an excellent job in spreading a brand of fun and interactive way of Wargaming that is not only entertaining but is also firmly based in the history.

I Salute You

Now stop mucking about with skirmish games and get some figures on table 🙄 😆

Regards and Respect 

Ken
The Yarkshire Gamer


#wargames #wargaming #history #tabletopgaming 

Thursday 7 September 2023

World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules - The Semi Finals

 

OK here we go again, it's Semi Finals time and the first one sets the 2 remaining WW2 Rules in the competition against each other, it's O Group vs Chain of Command. 

O Group is relatively new to the scene but has generated a dedicated set of players who enjoy the set immensely. It's been a long journey to the Semis making its way through a tough 1st Round against Crossfire, then defeating the old school Behemoth WRG Ancients in Rd 2. A classic scrap in the QFs was won against For King and Parliament.

Chain of Command has proved hugely popular since its introduction and is the go to skirmish level game for WW2. The last seeded rule set in the competition it saw off Mortem et Gloriam in Round 2 before beating General de Armee (another Dave Brown set) in the Quarters.

Are you Team Brown or Team Clarke, time to decide and get voting below

#wargaming #wargames #tabletopgames #tabletopgaming #History 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02SsDUCTeb5L1ceF73WshvtRXmYMtjzefAXz9N47DiatZcXyde8SH5NjzwJo9sxPaJl&id=100050371792178

SEMI FINAL 2

The second semi final is up for voting and it sees To the Strongest take on Sharp Practice.

It's Spears vs Muskets in the last hurdle before the Final !


Friday 25 August 2023

Quarter Finals of The World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules

 


The Quarter Final lineup is complete, with once again some really interesting match ups, there have been just shy of 9,000 votes to date, thanks to everyone for getting involved. Matches start 29th Aug

Quarter Final 1

The first of the Quarter Finals sees For King and Parliament take on O Group, its ECW vs WW2 for a place in the Semis. Voting link below

O Group is the winner with 55 % of 649 votes cast.

Quarter Final 2

QF2 is up 2 vote on & its Lion Rampant vs To the Strongest and if previous voting patterns continue this should be very close.
Voting link below
In QF1 there have been 500 votes on the 1st day and O Group is just ahead of For King and Parliament 


The winner is To the Strongest with 54 % of the vote

Quarter Final 3

With 1,000 votes already cast in QF1 & 2 this could really take off. Sharp Practice vs Battlegroup. It's #Napoleonic vs #WW2 the 2 most popular periods.
We need a winner and we've got just 3 days to do it, it's time to choose your team. Link 👇
#wargaming #wargames #history



Sharp Practice has prevailed in this high voting and at times extremely close match up with 53% of the vote.

The last QF is underway today and its another corker. General de Armee takes on Chain of Command.

General de Armee is a big battle Napoleonic game from the pen of Dave Brown. It saw off The Men Who would be Kings in the first round and then Fire and Fury in an epic 2nd Round clash. Could Dave get two sets in the semi finals.

Chain of Command is a WW2 Skirmish Game which is one of the most popular for that genre. It's the last remaining "seeded" rule set in the competition having defeated Mortem et Gloriam in Round 2. It has a big following so lets see if they turn out.

In QF two To the Strongest is ahead of Lion Rampant by 5 votes with 460 cast. Whilst QF 3 I turning into the heavyweight match up we were hoping for. Battlegroup is just 4 votes ahead of Sharp Practice with nearly 900 votes cast. Both are way to close to call.

O Group has qualified for the semi finals this morning, but the other two quarters are remarkably close.

So one last time for this round, get voting !


Chain of Command eases through with 72% of the vote.

There have been just shy of 12,000 votes overall so far, Semis will start on Thursday 





Monday 14 August 2023

Round 2 of the World Cup of Historical Wargames Rules

 


Round 1 is over and Round 2 will see the seeded rule sets enter and then its a straight knock out through to the final.

There will be one game set off each day for the next 8 days, each poll will be open for 72 hours.

We have 5 Napoleonic, 4 WW2, 3 Ancient, 1ACW, 1 Medieval, 1 Horse and Musket, 1ECW.

Or 13 Big Battle and 3 Skirmish sets (queue arguments about what is a Skirmish Game !

Apologies but voting will only count on Facebook, I appreciate that some people arent on there, but although enjoying, this has been massively time consuming so limiting voting to one source is the only way I can manage it.

Round 2 games below, may the best set win, there can be only one ! 

Game 1

We are off again. RD2 Game 1, it's the #Napoleonic classic In the Grand Manner vs the #ECW new boy For King and Parliament, voting on the link below. Winner through to Quarter Finals 

The winner is, For King and Parliament with 60% of the vote.

Game 2

Game 2 Rd2, is an all #WW2 affair. Classic Rapid Fire vs Battlegroup, both larger game sets in the same period. Battlegroup has really got its vote out in previous rounds, this could be interesting. Link below

Battlegroup again through comfortably with 62% of the vote with nearly 750 votes cast.

Game 3

Game 3 Round 2 sees old vs new in many ways. Will O Group pick the right orders or will WRG Ancients find an obscure ruling in para 23.2.3.67.b to force a win !
Get Voting Now (link below)


O Group wins with a whopping 69% of the vote.

Game 4

Game 4 Round 2, an really old school classic against a modern classic. Can nostalgia defeat innovation, 48 fig Battalions and Canister cones, vs sabot bases and card activation, there can be only one, get voting ! Link below


No Room for nostalgia here, Sharp Practice through with 68% of the vote.

Game 5

No rest, it's Game 5 of Round 2. #ACW vs #Napoleonic or USA vs UK, both big battle sets its another great match up. Voting link below.

General de Armee wins through with 60% of the vote.

Game 6

Time for Game 6 Round 2 brings together two very different rules, Black Powder and Too the Strongest.

So will To the Strongest be the Strongest again or will Black Powder drop their rule book on TTS and knock them out (literally).

A close fought contest with To the Strongest going through with 54% of the vote.

Game 7

Game 7 Rd 2 is an absolute banger ! Chain of Command a hugely popular set of #WW2 Rules and Mortem et Gloriam a set of early history rules with a proven track record in the Cup.

Let battle commence ! Link below

A big win for Chain of Command with 74% of the vote means we say goodbye to MeG

Game 8

Final one of Rd 2, the legendary Bruce Quarrie Napoleonics vs Lion Rampant.

At least Quarrie was winning 1 - 0 after I voted 😆

Last one before the quarters so get voting ! Link below

Sad to say my last horse has fallen, Lion Rampant has won with 56% of the vote.