Thanks to Zhu Bajiee (Realm of Zhu blog), we have another article written by Tony Bath to share. It's again an article from "Games and Puzzles", issue 39, published in 1975.
The article is titled "Fantasy Gaming" and outlines Tony Bath's view on the (at the time) new genre of fantasy wargaming.
Click here to see the full article
As with the previous article, we will analyze it further in follow-up posts, but for now, it's interesting to quote the last paragraph:
What is the reason for this sudden popular upsurge of interest not only in fantasy literature but fantasy gaming? We could say a little pompously that it is a revolt against the materialistic world we I ive in; this undoubtedly has something to do with it but I think it is more likely that, in these bleak and troublous times of unrest abroad and economic depression at home, we turn to the escapism inherent in fantasy. Once it was Cowboys and Indians or International Intrigue; now-as in the hard times of the 30s-Fantasy has struck the public imagination. What better way to escape from a world of strikes, pay claims and rising prices than to adventure through a mythical world, living by your sword and your wits, to trade spells and enchantments with master Wizards, and to drive through space and time in a mighty spaceship to fight the monsters from beyond? These thrills and escapes have long been available in the pages of fantasy literature; now they are also available in the form of fantasy board and table games and people of all ages and sexes are eager to try them.
You can still see all collected Tony Bath's materials on our Hyboria webpage.
I don't remember where I got it, but apparently Tony Bath wanted to play fantasy but his regular gaming buddy Featherstone would have none of it and that is why his campaign settled on a fictional setting with pseudo-historical armies and no magic, monsters & other fairytale stuff. If true that would be sad. And also reflect the reality of gaming groups, where naysayers & refuseniks ultimately decide what gets played through the awesome power of the NO :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting piece of information re D F. Thanks for that and also to Realm of Zhu for finding this fascinating article.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
I'm not sure that's entirely true. Featherstone was not completely against fantasy (as in fictional) wargaming. His book "Wargames" (1962) features a battle set in Hyboria, and he has written skirmish scenarios for fantasy (https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2023/04/13/donald-featherstone-in-outer-space-skirmish-pure-sci-fi-fantasy/).
DeleteWhat is documented though, is that Featherstone wanted to focus on the game, and was not a big fan of writing stories or a history about the battles. When you read all the various Featherstone books and articles (the man was very productive!) you get the sense that his style of wargaming was 1/ firmly rooted in historical plausability; and 2/ very playable without inserting too much "theory".
Let's also not forget that "fantasy" had different connotations in the late 50s or early 60s. The original Conan stories upon which Bath based Hyboria are low-fantasy in today's terminology. Tolkien's popularity with all others he inspired was not yet the giant he's today (and Middle Earth is low fantasy too).
I remember where I got this from I think, Jon Peterson's Playing at the world, where Featherstone is quoted as strong resisting the introduction of rules for wizards & spells, and later in the book is described as being dismissive of D&D.
DeleteI looked it up in my copy of PatW, and indeed, it's mentioned on p.45, and refers to an editorial of Featherstone in Wargamers' Newsletter in November 1969. You can read that editorial here: https://www.fourcats.co.uk/mags/files/WGN-092-Nov-69-OCR.pdf
DeleteTo quote Featherstone:
I am strictly for the fun aspects - the books I write and the magazine I edit will always be devoted to t bat end. But let us get it straight just what I mean by fun:
No one resisted more strongly than I when an opponent introduced into his Ancient war games the use of wizards whose spells would turn cavalry squadrons into toads or formulated rules governing the introduction of pre-historic animals (Timpo plastic monsters) whose table-top activities made war elephants seem like seaside donkeys. Nor have I any patience with that type of Chance Card which tells you that your Guard are too drunk to fight because they have discovered a cask of Old Collyl'o'obbles Rye whisky or that your entire right wing must be detached to go to the rescue of your commander- in- chief 's mistress who is trapped in a chateau behind the enemy lines.
The full quote seems pretty much in line with Peterson's take on this. We'll never know for sure.
DeleteThanks for sharing these articles Phil (and Zhu)
ReplyDelete