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.

Hey all, I got an idea into my head about a miniature skirmish-style game, and I want to give writing rules for it an honest go, rather than just spitball things in my own head and do nothing with it while saying for years "Oh I had this great idea for a game!" However, I've never done anything like this before, so I expect it to go badly, and to be more of a learning experience than a real success of any kind. However, I do want to put real effort into it, and so I was wondering what literature any of you would recommend to try to do this the best I can. Also, I ordered the new Rick Priestley book, but I would prefer more than one viewpoint.

If it helps, how I'm seeing the game so far entails:

Fantasy background/setting
3'x3' or 4'x4' playing area
Low model count
Minimal resources/things to keep track of
Games ideally last between 40-60 minutes
Players aiming for potentially different goals, but not randomized

Any insight on books to read, or rules sets to look at for inspiration, or any general thing I'm probably overlooking? Thanks!

This book just came out.

But I honestly think you would be better off finding a few rulesets similar to the one you are designing, playing them as much as you can, and learning from them about what works and what could be better. Mordheim, Advanced Song of Blade and Heroes, and Frostgrave would be good ones to start. The upshot is the same minis and scenery can be used for all three. Plus you get to play games instead of just reading about 'em!

All right, yeah. I also have a lack of experience with a lot of games on the market, so that will definitely help. I've got that book on the way!

Mordheim was discontinued, wasn't it? Guessing the rules must be kicking around the internet, I'll look for those later.

https://gurth.home.xs4all.nl/mordheim/Mordheim%20Living%20Rulebook.pdf

I would also suggest Two Hour Wargames Chain Reaction and Malifeaux for some atypical designs. Don't get stuck in the alternate turns, fixed move, roll to hit/damage/save, etc. model. Also try the Clix games.

Boardgames can also be very inspirational. Heroquest, Descent, etc.

There is nothing wrong with throwing some homebrew rules together and playing. Really, the more you try, the more you will learn what you like and dislike (and hopefully why!).

I also recommend Osprey "Blue" wargames series to see a few different systems on the cheap.

I think:
Ronin/En Garde
Lion/Dragon Rampant
Of Gods and Mortals

Would be of the most interest to you.

I appreciate the reading material, guys! I have the book Manchu recommended and another on the way. I'll check out those game systems you recommended as well.

@jmurph - I've been leaning toward initially playtesting activations the way Malifaux does it already, I so far like the way the game flows doing it that way (Malifaux that is).

Jacksmiles wrote:


If it helps, how I'm seeing the game so far entails:

Fantasy background/setting
3'x3' or 4'x4' playing area
Low model count
Minimal resources/things to keep track of
Games ideally last between 40-60 minutes
Players aiming for potentially different goals, but not randomized

Any insight on books to read, or rules sets to look at for inspiration, or any general thing I'm probably overlooking? Thanks!

For rules you could try this: https://www.scribd.com/document/237283619/Shield-Breaker-Rules-v0-8 (the homepage is defunct: http://shieldbreaker.net/)

It's a very simple but adaptable skirmish wargame (if I remember correctly: two stats, plus a few special rules), with games taking about half an hour. You can probably expand it a bit (use more points) for longer games and more miniatures.

Paddy Griffith's "Sprawling Wargames" and John Curry at al's "Innovations in Wargaming vol.1" contain a lot of good general advice about design philosophy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sprawling-Wargames-Multiplayer-Wargaming-Griffith/dp/1445202999/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479552517&sr=1-1&keywords=Sprawling+Wargames

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innovations-Wargaming-Vol-Developments-Professional-ebook/dp/B00J5TGBP0/ref=la_B004ROLQ1M_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479552313&sr=1-16

If you just want to look at a bunch of different rulesets, you may also want to take a gander at the Freewargames. wikia.

There are more rule set there than you can shake a stick at!