AAR 4/24/10 Meeting of DC Gamers

Well. We came, we saw, we gamed. We playtested the AAG Game "Tomorrow's War" that's currently under development. I can't get into too many details, but suffice to say, it's going to be a good game. I am very confident in it's quality. We identified some tweaks that might be needed, but nothing too glaring that we saw.

All in all, Sci-fi gamers are in for a treat. I have some pics of the game as well as some scratchbuilds from one of our members, Jage, who well, beats me all hallow.

Here's some pics from the game. Happy Gaming all.

The Cover for Blood Upon the Risers!

Well, I promised I'd have something soon, I just didn't think this soon! Amazing what a little motivation and depravity can accomplish! Comments?

I guess this is impressive enough for Post #100

It's big news, really big and to be honest, it couldn't happen to better people:

Dear AAG Customers,

I am pleased to announce that Ambush Alley Games has entered into a publishing agreement with Osprey Publishing to release an updated, omnibus edition of our core modern rule books in 2011. The combined edition will be entitled Ambush Alley: Force on Force and will contain all the rules necessary to play Ambush Alley and Force on Force style games!

In addition to the Ambush Alley: Force on Force core rule-book, Ambush Alley Games and Osprey will be releasing new companion books containing scenarios, special rules, and organizations for several specific modern military operations.

I’m very excited about this collaboration, because I believe it will bring you the best that both companies have to offer. You’ll be receiving the same exciting content that we’ve been providing since 2007 and, thanks to Osprey, it will be presented in an even higher quality and more affordable format!

SOG members should be excited to hear that Osprey will continue to honor their 15% discount on all AAG rule-books and companion books they publish. It gets better, though! Osprey will extend that same 15% discount to all their publications and the discount will be applied in addition to any sales or discounts offered by Osprey!

This is a big step in our development as a company and we hope you’re all as excited about it as we are. Rest assured that you’ll continue to see the same level of customer service and responsiveness you’ve received from us in the past – in fact, we’re working on some projects that will actually make us even more accessible and allow us to provide more effective customer support, including enhanced convention and SOG support.

We’ll keep you updated on new developments. Osprey will be making an official announcement later this week, but we thought you should get the word first!

If you have any questions, please send them to info@ambushalleygames.com.

Thanks again for all your support!

Shawn, Robby & Peggy.


What can I say? I approve this wholeheartedly. Osprey and AAG have had consistently high production values in their products. To me, AAG has really set the bar on a small press game company and what it SHOULD be. It's why I wrote the free rules supplements I did, and it's why I am active on their forums, and just doing all I can to help the game grow (including helping to playtest some upcoming stuff). Shawn's commented on this blog a few times, and he's a class guy, and he's got some great folks working for him like Robby and Peggy. It's a far cry from what you see happening with some larger companies I won't name these days. It's why they get my support, because they listen to the fans. Osprey is a larger company, but somehow, their writers are accessible as well. I occasionally email with Gordon Rottmann and Leigh Neville, (Leigh is very occasional). I just can't see how this is anything but full of win for both parties.

Well done all around!

Now, as you may have noticed, it's post #100 here. I've been a busy blogger these past two years, and as much as I am still feeling like I am finding my niche, it's nice to see I've got fans. I hope you continue to like what I write, and that you continue to read, and hey, send your friends! And if you're interested in something? Lemme know, and I'll see what I can do to write about it. I really do run the table here and I like that. I don't want to be about JUST ONE THING. Gets boring I think.

Also, I wanted to do some quick: "What am I reading" on the wargaming side.

First off, SOTCW 69 arrived last week, and I sat down to read it. I liked much of the content, and I especially enjoyed the article on Soviet Cav in WWII. The choice of scenario was a bit interesting, and one wonders if adapting a certain scenario from Cross of Iron (the SL supplement) might not have worked better? But, it was a solid issue with a lot of neat reviews that had me wondering if plastics really are improving these days.

I also picked up digital versions of Battlegames 1 and 18. I liked them overall, and was impressed by the production values for the money. The articles by the resident wargaming widow are my favorite. Now if I could just get my art major Mrs. to recognize she has talents I can more than USE! I was a bit let down by the seeming focus on the 18th Century. Hey, I know people like it and play it, but I only saw a few issues with something more oriented towards me could use. That said, perhaps it's just a case of getting more submissions? Time to fire up the word processor!

Work continues apace on my new freebie for Force on Force. "Blood Upon the Risers". It's slow going because I am an absolute klutz at map making for scenarios. So, if there's anyone out there who wants to offer tips? I'm all for it. Thank god real places are involved, as it's hard enough making maps from whole cloth!!!

Well, enough for now. And thanks to everyone for reading! Here's to another 100 posts!

Next meeting of the DC Gaming Group and a status report

First off, the third meeting of the DC Gaming Group is in it's new location:

Victory Comics
586 S. Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
(703)241-9393

Drop on by. I am really excited by this and I think this will lead to some nice developments!

As for the painting front, I was slightly delayed in finishing the Hammers Slammers Infantry due to some RL stuff. I'll be done with them in time for the 24th I think, but that might remain to be seen. In any event. We'll see. I also paid a visit to the Hobby Works in Rockville for their annual sale. I managed to get out of there for less than $20 and mostly got some paint, brushes, and a MRC Jagdpanzer IV for $10. Wish they had some of the BTR-80s they make, but c'est la vie.

So come on by. We'd love to meet you, game will be TBA at this point, but I am very sure we'll come up with something, in fact, knowing AA/FoF, we'll probably manage to get two games in!

New release over at Khurasan

Their Cafferta APC is out! It looks great honestly and the pictures show what looks to be a clean and easy to assemble kit. JBR has done it again IMO folks, but once I manage to get some later this month, I'll let you know in a more in-depth review. I think the QRF Marines just moved up the paint queue!

Hammers Slammer's 15mm Test Figure

Well, here's the first of the Hammer's Slammers Platoon and may I say, this was better than I thought it would be.

Next meeting of the DC Gaming Group

Our next meeting will be at Victory Comics in Falls Church on 24th April beginning at Noon. Game will be some form of FoF but if you wanna come out, come on by and say hi.
For details about Victory Comics, see this post.

Hope to see you there!