Nils Johansson

"This isn't 1970s Avalon Hill anymore" - That opinion alone would get you 'excommunicated' on some platforms. 😅 Thanks for the very kind words.

Interestingly, you can also find this style already applied to Japanese board games from the 18th and 19th century!

The research part for any gaming project is always, always such a great pleasure.

Thank Jason, it's immensely appreciated. And you've nailed it. The emphasis is on player immersion and on providing interesting spatial viewpoints that are grounded in geographic data.
The flak from certain parts of our wargaming community is nevertheless constant. "What's the point?" etc etc etc.

I started with the study below and then came across the work of Kisai Risshō (Hiroshige II, 二代目 歌川広重) and instantly fell in love with his colour palette. Translated this using colour gradients blending into one another across the whole map.

Thanks a lot Jason. It was a great challenge and my love for historical geography shines through this one. Shout out to @gmtgames.bsky.social for giving artists *total freedom* to rethink playing areas and gaming experiences.

Here's the first peek at the board for The Pure Land: Onin War in Muromachi Japan, 1465-1477 from
@gmtgames.bsky.social. This looks absolutely terrific, and just like that - there's suddenly a new COIN game for my consideration. Thanks a lot, @zweigefuhle.bsky.social. 😉

Thank you Stuart. Your deep dives into specific titles/series and gaming reviews always make for an insightful read.

Thanks Jason 🙃

Had to place a 'dance macabre' somewhere in the game. 😜

GMT Games really gave the design team full latitude (and time!) to work on producing special components for this release. Between the oversized cards, player mats and custom player aids included in the release, I think you'll like the immersive feel into the era.

Here's the cover art for Brian Asklev's Baltic Empires. Gorgeous! @zweigefuhle.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social

🙌 My part is now entirely done so this will definitely get a printing slot asap.
Thanks for the kind word!

Just a couple of edits to carry out and then it's back in the hands of GMT.

Nothing Roman/Byzantine on the horizon for 2025-2026. Does the 'Wars of the Diadochi' count? 😜

Done. Didn't realise you had made the transition from the other place! 🙌

Next Saturday for @sdhistcon.bsky.social Second Front 2025, I will be hosting a panel about @snafustore.bsky.social with Oscar Olivier (head honcho) and artist extraordinaire @zweigefuhle.bsky.social. A 6-handed interview and we will showcase a few of SNAFU games.
tabletop.events/conventions/...

Especially when you can - also - get two other wonderful entries into the Series. 😂

After Spain... Russia!

Thanks a million 🙏

Games came first. Art is a natural byproduct of my day-job at the time and of my love for all things maps.

Absolutely. I need, at a minimum, a draft of the rules (and it's not a given at all, believe me...) and a few play-testing sessions. I'm particularly interested in designing components that make sense - during - play or for key moments when playing.

Top 10 historical boardgames of 2024 as voted by the Homo Ludens community! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

🔥🔥🔥

Awfully kind Jason, thank you!
Had the same feeling until Joe Dewhurst introduced me to his new COIN design. Players compete to align lots of factions to their cause and play distributes nearly across the full length of the map. It's definitely one of the more interesting takes on the series.

😛 Confirmed.

Excellent, thank you @domhnallh.bsky.social.
It's a perfect inspiration for a project, love it! 🙌

Thanks a lot Phil. I'm guessing we can still enhance colours a bit as the printed map seemed a tad less vivid on the con pictures I've seen.

Thank you so much Nicola! I think we'll achieve something very special also with your next opus ^^
I'm in love with the play-test material!

Robin Hood just landed in Kyoto, about to rob the shogun...

And now we are playing @joedewhurst.bsky.social 4 player variant of Gest soon to be released by @gmtgames.bsky.social 😎

Absolutely deserved! 🙌🙌🙌