Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

We know it's the middle of summer, but winter is coming. So we thought it would be best to start training now with Fantasy Flight Game's latest release "Battles of Westeros, a Battlelore Game." (aka BoW)

First the D6G team chats with Robert Kouba, the man behind the new game. What inspired the game? And why base it on the Battlelore system?

Later it's time to dive deep into the mechanics of BoW and learn just what makes it tick with a detailed review. Does the game feel like Battlelore? Does it capture the world of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire?
All that and our other not-too-horrible segments including:

- Rapid Fire
- The Hollywood Minute
- The News
- Total Fan Girl
- & More



Link: http://www.thed6generation.com/d6g_ep_60_battles_of_westeros_designer_interview_game_review

Ooooh, off to download this to my iPhone now!

My copy of the game is coming late next week! I'm a HUGE fan of BattleLore and am looking forward to this new iteration.

I also just picked up A Game of Thrones the other day at my local Half Price Books. Never read any of the saga, so looking forward to that, too.

Russ, rant away!

I can't wait to try Battle of Westeros at Gencon.

Well, I can't wait for Gencon period...stupid time. Why can't it be malleable!?

will the link to Craig's ebay auctions be posted in the discussion thread?

bbb wrote:will the link to Craig's ebay auctions be posted in the discussion thread?

Here's the link to Craig's stuff:

http://shop.ebay.com/master-terraformer/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Thanks, Russ.

Also, Craig is right. Wipeout is a phenominal show. As far as entertainment goes, it's pure junkfood, but it's hilarious. It gets me to laugh more than anything else in recent memory. And it's not mean because all the contestants are in on the joke.

I'm only an hour or so in, but it's looking like a good episode so far. Good job with my shout-out, btw .

-Andy

Another enjoyable episode.

The review of Battles of Westeros was enough to make me want to play the game but not enough to make me want to buy it (though I would revisit that decision if I do get a chance to play it). I enjoyed Battlelore and Memoir and bought many of the expansions for both but I found I was only playing them 2 or 3 times a year and I don't need more games that take up space and don't get played and I fear this would fall into that category.

I did play quite a lot of Battlelore and Memoir over Vassal -- Would BoW also work well over Vassal?

I think I will check out the Song of Fire and Ice books though.

Interesting show guys. Although I'm afraid you were never going to persuade me on BoW. I don't enjoy Battlelore (hate their "fog of war mechanic" which I just find frustrating), and Song of Ice and Fire as a series leaves me cold. (If I'm going to read fantasy I want to read something fantastic, not just something that could have happened in real life - for that I can read real history which is often more fascinating and surprising than anything an author could invent). Just my personal tastes.

Anyhoo, thanks for the show, and all the best to Craig and Karen now that their very own miniature has arrived!

I like Russ' Rant.

HD

Well, I haven't made it through the episode yet...in fact I'm still in the part with the interview. But that won't stop me from asking some questions...

For any expansions to the game, are they going to stay faithful to the books...and by that I wonder if they're going to promise that the expansion will be out next year...only to wait 5+ years before really releasing it? Well, if that happens, I imagine in the meantime they can produce a game based on "Wild Cards", and put out numerous expansions that only 5 people care about.

</snark>

Now, for a serious question (and again, here I go asking before I've even listened to the review) - I've heard enough already to understand that the game is using "realistic" troops - knights, archers, etc. But, little as it is, there is some "fantasy" in the ASOIAF world. Namely, The Others, and of course, dragons. And then there's Melisandre and her shadow magic. And I believe the Wildlings had Giants in their army. Any chance these more "fantastical" units make it to the game board?

I'll keep listening, and maybe you've already answered my questions in the podcast...

HokieStone wrote: For any expansions to the game, are they going to stay faithful to the books...and by that I wonder if they're going to promise that the expansion will be out next year...only to wait 5+ years before really releasing it? Well, if that happens, I imagine in the meantime they can produce a game based on "Wild Cards", and put out numerous expansions that only 5 people care about.

</snark>

I feel your pain.

HokieStone wrote:
Now, for a serious question (and again, here I go asking before I've even listened to the review) - I've heard enough already to understand that the game is using "realistic" troops - knights, archers, etc. But, little as it is, there is some "fantasy" in the ASOIAF world. Namely, The Others, and of course, dragons. And then there's Melisandre and her shadow magic. And I believe the Wildlings had Giants in their army. Any chance these more "fantastical" units make it to the game board?

I'll keep listening, and maybe you've already answered my questions in the podcast...

Rob hints at the answer to this later in the interview. Basically, the game releases sound like they will be following the books, and as more of those elements appear in the books, we suspect they will appear in the game.

Any chance someone could point me in the direction of Craig's Terrain pics more epic?

I think it was mentioned in Ep59, but I can't find the reference. Thanks

We've recently tweeted about a bunch of Craig Epic activity...

Pictures of Craig Terrain up close

http://twitpic.com/1ozdag

http://twitpic.com/1oyzhb



Pictures from Craig and "Shifty's" massive Horus Heresy Epic reenactment
http://s868.photobucket.com/albums/ab247/will_urban/Epic%20Horus%20Heresy/?start=0

Loved the show and wanted to say thanks to Hollywood for getting me credit for my shout out from episode 59.

Ok, so like I said, loved the show, as always but the interview... man, was it just me or did that seem like a painfully long and unimformative segment? All the others I've heard have been awesome but this one just didn't seem like the guest knew what was going on.

Thanks for keeping me occupied on my long night shifts.

Oh, and congratulations to Craig and Karen.

First off, congratulations to Craig and Karen! Craig, I hope the little one doesn't cramp your painting goals for the future; having kids certainly curtailed my painting time progressively to the point where I hardly ever paint now and used to get in a TON of painting time in the past. Boardgames crept into my repertoire as painting became more difficult, so you're already ahead of me there.

Ep.60
You guys... trying to tempt me AGAIN.

I've got Mem'44, BattleLore and C&C Ancients (which is at least one too many of C&C games, probably two too many). Even though I love Song of Ice & Fire (got 'em all in signed 1st edition hardcover ) I was going to steer clear of BoW. Then you start going over the mechanics and they seem to address a lot of the issues my friends have with BattleLore; i.e. random card draws, combat feeling more gamey rather than tactical, Lore (aka magic) having too strong of an effect on the outcome, etc. Dang, this new game sounds promising. The thing is, I've got "Call to Arms" for BattleLore along with the 2nd board for Epic-sized games, Hundred Year's War expansion & Goblins riding Ostriches. Call to Arms is a particularly excellent expansion for BattleLore and with the amount of $$ I've committed to that game, it makes it hard to seriously consider purchasing BoW. Bah. What a conundrum. Plus, who knows if FFG will give the game proper and timely support.

Do you think BattleLore can be modified to emulate the rules of BoW?

FYI, I skipped over the interview and listened to the review first, then went back and listened to the interview afterwards. Your discussion with Rob kept drifting into areas of the BoW rules I wasn't familiar with, so to make sense of it all, I found I needed to listen to the show out of sequence. Not a big deal, just thought I'd mention it as maybe you'd consider breaking your established format when interviewing game designers while simultaneously reviewing their games. Putting the review first sets the stage for the conversation, imho. Carry on as you see fit, of course.

As always, the D6G is my favorite podcast. You guys rawk!

SykoMike wrote:
Ok, so like I said, loved the show, as always but the interview... man, was it just me or did that seem like a painfully long and unimformative segment? All the others I've heard have been awesome but this one just didn't seem like the guest knew what was going on.

Are you referring to the interview with Rob? I don't feel he ever came across as not knowing "what was going on". He talked well enough about the game and it's development, but did seem a little hamstrung in regards to talking about the future of BoW or Battlelore. But, that's typical within a company. Until FFG wants info released their employees can't go around talking about things.

I'm looking forward to getting my Westeros set, but my heart is still with Battlelore. I like the more whimsical fantasy elements. I am curious about the games future at FFG, especially in regards to a reprinting of the base set at some point. I would imagine it would be retooled and be more of a Battlelore 2.0. Worked for Tannhauser ;-)

That would make an awesome interview for an upcoming show...find out who at FFG can talk about Battlelore and dig deep! Maybe meet up with Christian P. at Gen Con?

Jeff Cope wrote:Are you referring to the interview with Rob? I don't feel he ever came across as not knowing "what was going on". He talked well enough about the game and it's development, but did seem a little hamstrung in regards to talking about the future of BoW or Battlelore. But, that's typical within a company. Until FFG wants info released their employees can't go around talking about things.

Ok, let me rephrase my comment. He did indeed seem informative about the game he was being interviewed about and he gave what information he could as far as spoilers for future projects. What I was really referring to was the amount of long pauses and ummms. Reminded me of having a conversation with my brother who takes 20 minutes to finish a sentence because he can't stay focused. I guess Rob just didn't seem prepared or comfortable and maybe a little distracted during the interview. It was just hard for me to listen to. I've listened to the show 3 times now and halfway through the second time listening to the interview, I skipped to the end. The third time I skipped it completely.

As far as the game goes, it looks and sounds great but I'll most likely never play because I don't think I could convince anyone I know to play.

I think the episode would have been better if they had first reviewed the game and had the interview later, so that people who don't know the game yet have a better idea what they're talking about.

SykoMike wrote:
... It was just hard for me to listen to...

I understand what you are getting at. There are two sides to an interview and I think Rob was just not used to being interviewed. He did a good job in the end, but there was definetly a quality missing that has been given by lots of other interviewees.

It might simply have been him trying to refrain from going too in-depth to the mechanics, him thinking that we the listeners wouldn't care about that, but we do want to hear about it.

Still a good episode, and still can't wait for GenCon!!

Talarius wrote:with the amount of $$ I've committed to that game, it makes it hard to seriously consider purchasing BoW. Bah. What a conundrum.

I feel the same pain as I have all the Battlelore expansions as well. However, I'm afraid that if BOW is what it sounds to be, I won't go back to Battlelore. And I have way to much invested to just let it rot on the shelf.

Talarus wrote:Do you think BattleLore can be modified to emulate the rules of BoW?

Russ, I kept waiting for you to ask this question! I love the idea of the d8s and the command tokens. I would certainly purchase a Battlelore expansion if it were nothing more that a revised set of rules, cards, dice, etc that incorporated the BOW rules.

ZombiEd wrote:

Talarus wrote:Do you think BattleLore can be modified to emulate the rules of BoW?

Russ, I kept waiting for you to ask this question! I love the idea of the d8s and the command tokens. I would certainly purchase a Battlelore expansion if it were nothing more that a revised set of rules, cards, dice, etc that incorporated the BOW rules.

I'm sure with a bit of thought you could make it work. The dice and engagement rules could work without modification. You might have to tweak the scenarios for game balance, but it would be worth a try...


Hmm...I might try that. Heck, I might try just slapping a b-lore monster into a Westeros game and see what happens.

Now you guys have me thinking.

RussWakelin wrote:Hmm...I might try that. Heck, I might try just slapping a b-lore monster into a Westeros game and see what happens.

Now you guys have me thinking.

Russ, let me know how it goes. I don't have a copy of BOW, but I can get some D8 & play test. I've downloaded the rules for BOW and between those and your description, trying some basic stuff out shouldn't be that difficult. I was going to try just using the d8s and just map the numbers on each face with the appropriate symbols. I'd also like to use the command and engagement tokens as well. Unfortunately, the cards are not readable in the PDF so I have no basis for converting the decks to a Battlelore equivalent.

Quick question - what's the deadline for the contest? You mentioned something In the episode about giving people "extra time", but I don't think a date was ever set. Thanks!

I just wanted to say thanks. Now, if anyone thinks that I am a little nerdy, I will just play them this episodes ten minute discussion on the merits of boardgame box management and the solutions there-of, and I will suddenly appear uber-cool!

Another excellent episiode. I know very little about the Westeros mythos or background, and I still found it interesting and worth listening to.

Great show as always gents (and lady). Once again you conducted an an interview about something I didn't think I'd find iteresting well worth the time to check it out.

HokieStone wrote:Quick question - what's the deadline for the contest? You mentioned something In the episode about giving people "extra time", but I don't think a date was ever set. Thanks!

Looks like you got a response from Twitter but to post it here for all to enjoy:
"@HokieeStone BoW heraldry contest ends 1 week from this Monday"