It was with surprise that I realised how long ago it was that I last spoke to the marvellous game designer and writer Joe McCullough – November 2018 in episode 12!
With the UK and much of the world now in lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we demonstrate how the wonders of the internet allow us to remain in contact despite the rigours of ‘social distancing’ (thank you Skype), allowing us to discuss his exciting new ruleset Oathmark: Battles of the Lost Age, scheduled to be published by Osprey Games on 30th April.
In fact, we start with an update of what’s been happening with Frostgrave and Rangers of Shadow Deep, and the amazing guided tour of Tallinn, Estonia, that he helped to organise with great success, despite the sub-zero temperatures!
A complete change from his previous forays, Oathmark is a full-throated mass battle game, drawing on many of the tropes with which we are familiar such as Dwarves, Elves, Humans, Orcs, Goblins and a host of monsters, with more to come. Very much ‘early medieval’ in feel (no black powder, nor even crossbows), expect to field armies of up to around a dozen units a side, with as many as 20 miniatures per infantry unit, in colourful and characterful clashes in a realm that is deliberately left largely to your own imagination.
The game includes familiar aspects such as shooting and melee and magic, but is driven by an activation system that many gamers will find a revelation – no sitting around waiting for your opponent to finish in dreary IGO-UGO fashion, so both players will feel constantly involved. There are some pretty dramatic random events too!
The game also includes a campaign system for generating battles, and more supplements are scheduled, together with ranges of miniatures produced by North Star (though one of the aspects I like is that you can use whatever miniatures you like, as long as the basing for both sides is consistent), so if this game achieves even a fraction of the success that Frostgrave has enjoyed, then it’s going to be popular!
Joe is always a fascinating person to chat with, and I think this episode will give you some fascinating insights into how a rules designer tackles a topic familiar to many: just how do you reinvent the fantasy wargaming wheel, and just how far should you push your luck shifting a familiar setting? The answer, friends, is dig out your d10s and get ready to try one of the most innovative rulesets of recent years.
We also had time to chat about some of the ways that we wargamers can survive the coming difficult weeks of isolation, staving off boredom by clearing our unpainted lead and plastic piles, reading and listening to books and podcasts, and of course trying solo wargaming and cooperative gaming as ways to get our gaming kicks. We also discuss the particular challenges faced by parents who now have their kids at home with them!
Enjoy the show – and of course, stay safe everyone and follow the official advice to help us all get through these exceptional circumstances.
Henry
P.S. We had a slight technical problem with Joe’s mic that I have ben unable to completely eliminate, but hopefully, it won’t spoil your enjoyment of the show.
Joe’s blog (specifically the post about solo and cooperative gaming)
The Ravens of Alladore blog mentioned by Joe
Oathmark on pre-order at Osprey Games
The ‘official’ range of Oathmark Miniatures at North Star (including some lovely shield and banner transfers)
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