First, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours. Thank you for reading my blog. I thought I'd do a retrospective on my plans for '25. A how did it go? Here it is.
Back in '24 I thought I'd finally get to finish off some outstanding projects. '25 didn't go quite as planned. The easy part is that my Tyrone's War game is now with the Publishers. My Crusades game, a joint venture with Andy Callan, ditto. If and when they are due to appear I'll let you know.
I had thought to finish Gonzalvo my Italian Wars game. There is really very little to do. Somehow, I managed not to do it. Likewise my Aztec game. Hopefully '26 will see both finished.
Unexpectedly, I have a Flodden -1513 game done and dusted. Not a new idea for me but it managed to get to the front of the queue. The Days of The Cid too, is done.
Some new things came my way. The most influential being David Louis Raybin's Charge of the Light Brigade rules for the Crimean War. Much more on this anon.
Brent Oman produced Battle Command and Ancient and Medieval Battle Command. I bought these both with the custom cards. Next year should see a review of the two.
Also Barry Hilton produced another edition of his splendid Beneath the Lilly Banners. It is basically a reprint of the last one but with a different theatre focus. Key mechanisms are unchanged. Barry's stuff tends to sell out. Then it changes hands for mad prices second hand. This new edition is most welcome. I'll be reviewing it here.
Comitatus, a favourite rule set here, is also due a second edition in '26. Odd to write that, '26. My maternal Grandfather was a NUM Shop Steward in the General Strike of 1926. That was '26 for us. Time has marched. Anyhow, new Comitatus will also be reviewed here.
I also hope to bring you a monthly game report on whatever period and system has me preoccupied. Game reports take a lot of time and also interrupt play. That's why I don't do many. I'll be delighted if I can present you with 12 of them.
Regular readers will have noticed a steady completion of collections taking place.
I'm very happy with this.
The idea is both sides are game ready for a range of periods.
Anything new for '26? Yes, Middle Romans and Picts with Comitatus.
That's it. Hope you enjoy the pic's. See you in 2026.
A very active year for you! I agree that writing battle reports is a big effort. Still, I try to do one for each game that I host. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan. Yes indeed. The joy of Retirement I think. I do enjoy reading your battle reports.
DeleteIt does seem like you got an awful lot done in the last 12 months OB! It will be great to see your many excellent collections in action if you are able to present game reports in 2026. I hope you have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt's promising to be a good one Keith. I'm wondering what to start with. Lots of choice now. All the Best for your own.
DeleteGreat hobby year sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal. Having the time makes all the difference.
DeleteThe Season's greetings to you and yours , Cheers Tony
ReplyDeleteThanks kindly Tony.
DeleteThat's quite a lot of work for the year. Great achievement. Merry Christmas to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Richard. You too.
DeleteSome great stuff done this year- all the best for Christmas and 2026!
ReplyDeleteThanks John and the same to you.
ReplyDeleteMore Crimea. Spanish Succession Great Northern war
ReplyDeletePlease
Perkin
I can certainly do 2 of them Peter. Maybe substitute LOA for WSS?
DeleteA productive year for you. Look forward to seeing your output in 2026
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil. Some big projects coming.
DeleteSeems like you've had an exceptionally productive year. I look forward to the fruit of your rules efforts. I haven't tried BC: Ancients/Medieval yet; reminder to self to do so in 2026.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gonsalvo. Me neither. It is going to be interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt has been great fun following your progress this year OB, so many great projects and lovely figures, here's too many more! Have a great Christmas when it comes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie, that's great to hear. Same to you.
DeleteSounds like a great and productive year!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the next instalment.. happy holiday all
ReplyDeletePerkin