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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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Greetings. I've been very pleased by the growing public support for Lincoln's War. Despite my poor performance on the Webinar (I let the computer get the better of me). Preorders have been growing at a steady pace. Don't know the exact count but I believe 20-25 a month over the past three months - not bad for a title that many considered a dead issue. I won't let it die! I love this game and what it represents, a break from the old Civil War standards.
The anniversary for the taking of New Orleans has come and gone and I missed the opportunity to show how it figures into the game. In short I felt it necessary to afford the Union player the ability to replicate the feat and the Confederate player the opportunity to block it. In short New Orleans is the only port city that has no inherent defense UNLESS a Confederate general is present. If he is, port defenses come into play, this forces the Confederate player to commit rail resources to reinforce the city with one of his precious field armies. Of course the Union can mount no amphibious offensive in 1861 and only a token one in 1862 so the opportunity exists but is never a certainty.
Now here's where I need your assistance. I have attempted to cover (if loosely) most of the major elements of this fractious war but on two points I am not yet satisfied. I would appreciate your views and suggestions on the following issues, The Emmancipation Proclamation and the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War.
The Emmancipation in LW is triggered when a major Confederate army (7 or more stars) retreats after combat. At this point, the turn marker is flipped to its Emmancipation side, the Confederate player loses 5 PCs to represent the lost opportunity to gain European support and the Union player has the opportunity to discard ANY one card and bank 5 PCs or bring on General Hincks. This represents the growing support for and enrollment of black soldiers. If Hincks is not immediately brought in, the Union player may enlist his services in any future reinforcement phase. The concept is fine and I've seen it occur but far too seldom for my tastes. The Confederate player is usually too cagey to put his major armies in danger of retreat. Anyone have any suggestions.
Now the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War is another matter, it is essential that I work this into the war as it played an influential part in promoting aggressive generals, invesitigating the poor performance of others, as well as supporting the Emmancipation Proclamationan and the development of black units. In my original version I worked them into the cards as a kind of ad-hoc promotion/demotion mechanic. If a Card carried a Committee event, the Union player was given the ability to promote or demote based on current performance. This rule has since gone by the way, but something representing the committee needs to replace it. Again, any suggestions?
Finally, I have decided that I WILL be attending Origins this year specifically to demonstrate Lincoln's War. I will be located in the Games Demonstration areas and LW will be listed on the Demonstration schedule. Look for the 6' Lincoln's War banner which I will be proudly displaying ... unless and until I'm told it's not allowed. Still looking for a roommate to share costs.
Till next time. 
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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Greetings All,
Easter break came and went so quickly, I'm still dizzy. It began with busy preparation for the Lincoln's War CSW Webinar recently posted here, on our Geek LW site and on Consimworld. Joel Toppen patiently worked with me and arranged with John Kranz (super guys, both of them) to help promote Lincoln's War beyond its current group of fans. To date, it has been instrumental in bringing in 12 new preorders. Yes we still have a way to go, but confidence, enthusiasm and the buzz you create will bring it in over the line.
Holy week led to a lot of church, I am in fact about churched out (I'm hoping God forgives that comment). Easter is always about rebirth and and the return of joy after a season of gloom. I revel in it, the joy not the gloom. On Sunday my indulgent wife and I took a five mile hike on the Appalachian trail just North of #30 in Pennsylvania. Pretty rough going until it leveled out. Our two black labs loved it. We hiked beside a beautiful spring, and even more attractive little grotto and a long stretch of rhododendron that will be in all its glory in another couple months. Then the posted warning for Timber Rattlers put a whole new spin on the adventure.
Along the way we passed four folks, coming and going. Three of them were hard core hikers and the fourth was a JOGGER (considering the terrain ... God bless her)But the most amazing thing was the scattering of plastic Easter Eggs we passed. They were filled with trail mix and carryied uplifing Easter messages. Not being true Appalachian hikers we left them for others but the example of the person who planted them was truly uplifting.
Spent much of my time away from school working on a new Civil War design - a deck building game that pits two Civil War companies against each other. Involves recruitment, skirmishing, melees, artillery and sharpshooting. Got in five test plays with various people in various locations. With the information gleaned I'm streamlinging the decks and cutting play time. Should be ready to show off in Lancaster this year.
My last playtests took place in West Virginia at Wade Wyett's house. Wade collects out of print games and sells them via mail order I met Wade recently at PrezCon and he kindly invited me over to see his stock. Floor to ceiling, room to room ... HOLY CRAP! THAT'S A LOT OF INCREDIBLE GAMES YOU'VE GOT THERE, WADE! If had that kind of investment I'd be seriously thinking about retirement.
Unfortunately, retirement is far in the future. Currently, I'm wondering how to follow up the recent interest in Lincoln's War. Am considering a promotional visit to Origins where I think I'll be renting demonstration space. It seems like an ideal place to interest a whole new group of people. It's expensive and chancy, but I'm having a couple of nice banners made up and look forward to meeting a lot of new gamers. Oh, if any of you are going and you're looking to share a room. I'm looking for roommates to share the cost.
Thank you all for your continued interest.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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John Kranz just sent out this message.
Here is the recorded webinar on Lincoln's War. I hope you enjoy it!
http://www.consimworld.com/post/20666385715/csw-webinar-003-...
I hope you find it helpful as well ... keep in mind I wasn't feeling all that well on the night it was produced.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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Joel Toppen helped me set up a webinar with John Kranz last night. Twenty-eight folks tuned in to listen to me blather about the game and dance around their questions. Seriously, I showed a number of helpful Powerpoints that covered some of the unique qualities of the game, discussed a cross-section of historical personalities, covered political support for the war, chain of command, war on the water, scenarios and victory objectives.
Granted I couldn't do it all justice in the half hour alotted and it didn't help that I was feeling ill and bolloxed up the slides a couple times. But I was able to show off Michel Boucher's wonderful Vassal version and give a fair introduction to the cards and combat system. If you missed out don't feel left out. The recording should be available on Consimworld sometime next week.
Several of the questions asked regarded the game components. Was it going to be a mounted board? We can cross our fingers and hope Perry is feeling magnanimous (Are you reading this, Perry?)!!! Was the map art the finished version? No. There will be changes made, the color will be lightened, the rails softened, and the states delineated. I was also asked about the number of cards and counters and I waffled, as I said I wasn't feeling well. I answered at least two sheets, the correct answer is ... two 80 card decks, and 250-275 oversized counters. The exact count is yet to be decided.
We had 26 folks attend and the response was largely favorable. more than half of the attendees offered to playtest. Most had not preordered and I noticed three new preorders this morning, I assume the webinar had something to do with it. Several of those who attended mentioned that they do not preorder while many others said they were awaiting more favorable reviews. I'm looking forward to a few more of those myself. Just in case anyone changes their mind, here's the MMP Preorder site http://www.multimanpublishing.com/tabid/59/ProductID/88/Defa...
Stay tuned as later this week I plan on posting the stats on all the generals involved. Be interesting to get everyone's take on it. I know we all have our favorites.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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The latest two YOUTUBE videos have been released on LW's Naval and Rail phases. You can access them via LINCOLN'S WAR BOARDGAME. Keep in mind this is not a professional filming but an over the shoulder peek at a game in progress. Also John Kranz and Joel Toppen are about to announce a ConSimWorld webinar on LINCOLN'S WAR tentatively scheduled for Thursday evening. I'm looking forward to getting some fresh eyes on the title, and as both of these gentlemen carry a lot of influence in the hobby, I expect a new crop of preorders forthcoming. We did pretty well last month being the MMP's third highest preorder title. We just have to keep getting the word out so we can give a new crop of players an opportunity to match wits across the Mason-Dixon.
Peace and grace to you all this Easter Season.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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Hi all. Long time, nothing printed. To quote Jimmy Buffet, "Mia culpa, mia culpa, mia maxima culpa."
Besides the pressures of school, a recurring dental problem (lost a temporary crown five times in two weeks)and my wife's frightening brush with cancer, a lot of things were backing up.
Our video project had to be put on hold and I do hate to go back on my word. When I say I'm going to do something, I really do mean it. However, sometimes things are just out of our control. Just viewed the second video cut about a half hour ago. It should be released tonight. Hoping it will generate more interest than the last attempt.
I am discussing with Joel Toppen and John Kranz the possibility of a live Consimworld webinar on Lincoln's War. No date as yet, but I will let you know as soon as I know.
I did attend PrezCon for the first time last month. Only there for a day but generated a lot of interest in LW and took a slew of pictures of people admiring the game and several who took the time to play it. As usual, some amazing things happened, chief among them was Stonewall getting hit by friendly fire in Virginia. Now on the surface that sounds ho-hum, but you have to understand I did not preset that scenario in the game. Many factors enter into such a circumstance. It just so happened that all the planets were alligned and General Jackson took a bullet for the cause ... again. I love this game.
Don't hold the lack of pictures against me. Soon as my wife has the time she's going to help me download the pics off my phone (yeah, I forgot my camera.)
The biggest recent news (next to my wife's clean bill of health) is Sean Chick's wonderful review of the game found on the Geek's Lincoln's War site. It netted 20+ preorders and preorders of 4-5 a week over the last couple weeks. Folks are starting to take notice. They'll take more notice when I sport my new 5'LW banner at this summer's conventions. I plan on attending the biggees and showing of Lincoln's War to a brand new flock of fans. Big push this year. In the fall I also plan on visiting Essen and I will definately show off the title there as well.
In a recent conversation with Adam I learned that he is still in need of a couple more playtesters. Any takers?
E-mail him at adam.ant@mac.com
That's all for now. Bless you all for sticking with Abe and I.
Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:39 pm
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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I attended MMP's Winter Offensive in Bowie, Maryland this past weekend.
As usual, I was duly impressed. Unlike many other convention venues the accommodations at the Comfort Inn Convention Center are more than adequate while the staff are among the most friendly folks this convention-goer has experienced. Unlike other venues, the hotel allowed MMP to offer it’s own reasonably priced beverages (soda AND beer) rather than rape the gamer with a monopoly on overpriced drinks. Ah, but the best feature is always the piping hot breakfast spread available to attendees, most welcome after a night of rolling dice and searching for lost counters
Not to be outdone, on Saturday evening the good folks of MMP, Brian Youse, Perry Cocke and staff, present a plethora of pizza free to attendees- forty boxes worth with all the trimmings. Wanted to provide you with a picture of the pizza pile but was a leetle too late. You get a flick of the empty boxes instead.
Every year MMP promotes a charity raffle for some worthy cause. With a record attendance, this year’s raffle netted $1600+. For prizes the guys at MMP offer an amazing number of games and sports memorabilia. I lost track of exactly how many winners there were. Again, MMP needs to be recognized for shining such a positive light on the hobby. Homage.
Winter Offensive is obviously a showcase for MMP product, particularly SQUADLEADER and its infinity of scenarios. But many other games were laid out as well, including the monster WHERE EAGLES DARE as well as (gasp) fantasy games.
I attended primarily to promote and demonstrate LINCOLN’S WAR, which I did tirelessly.
Many folks stopped by, mostly Civil War aficionados. Many of my visitors commented on the unique quality of the design, focusing as it does on politics and historical personalities.
Had some wonderful conversations regarding the current rules and possible rule variations.
Got in three complete games. The first with Steven Pleva was amazing. Steven had never played before. I directed him to pick up his player’s aid and take charge of directing the phases. He did so admirably, so admirably, he whipped me. We played an entire campaign game in four and a half hours and Steven repeatedly remarked on how smoothly the game moved.
Played two additional games against Roger Taylor and David Hoskins. Over the course of all three games, we saw “Little Mac” killed THREE times (and the Union rejoiced … I mean of course, the Confederacy rejoiced), once in remarkable foray into Virginia, once by friendly fire in Pennsylvania and once in a gallant attempt to stop Lee from rampaging in Ohio. Ironically, after “Mac’s” third untimely demise, Lee lost his life in the very next battle. Shown below is the precarious Union position in the West.
My final games were played against Roger Taylor and David Hoskins. Both led to some pretty interesting situations, among them, the surprising invasion of Kentucky in an attempt to get Lee's invading army back into supply.
We found several instances of convoluted card text and debated the utility of specific card events. Out of these discussions will come simpler supply and campaign rules, along with a more viable application of the Emancipation Proclamation.
All in all, another satisfying outing. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Keep campaigning. We'll see LW published yet.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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Through the day we were repeatedly reminded that we needed to visit Hollywood Cemetery. The name did not attract me, but the interred personages did. Apparently two presidents and numerous confederate notables had been laid to rest in Hollywood. Wending our way through the labyrinth of one-way streets, we eventually crawled into a different sort of forest, one of marble memorials. With Johnnie Horton’s version of “Dixie” blaring from my CD player, we immediately stumbled upon J.E.B. Stuart’s grave
and soon after General Mosby’s stone.
One Confederate hero after another, I found it kind of hard to believe.
At the end of our drive we found the Circle of Presidents, overlooking the James from the highest point of the cemetery. There we paid our respects to Presidents Tyler and Monroe.
That evening, my dear wife had made dinner reservations for us at the Capital Ale House, not just for the cuisine. The Capital Ale House is among the top ten beer establishments in the country, sporting 300 varieties of lagers, ales, porters and stouts, thirty on draft.
For dinner I indulged in a full rack of beer-b-qued ribs while Jen polished off a slab of very rare sirloin steak We experimented with a number of interesting beers until we each found our new best friends. Jen’s favorite was St. George’s Brown Ale ( the beer menu specifically states that one should NOT share this brew). My choice has to be a Kansas TallGrass Oasis Bitter, a rich liquid that has a delicious tangy aftertaste. We topped off a perfect evening by descending to the game room where we played darts (real “pointy” darts ) on one of 6 professional dart lanes.
Then it was home to bed, rowdy Marines, and more piper screeching (don’t get me wrong I respect the skill of pipers, they just don’t float my boat). At midnight we wished each other a happy, popped our poppers and crashed soon after.
The following morning we rose slowly, lazily, and took a short walk to the Jefferson Hotel. The Jefferson we were told is a site to see. It was. We were greeted at its beautiful entrance by a uniformed doorman and a six foot bronze alligator.
Intrigued we inquired about it and learned that around the turn of the century soon after it was built, visitors used to bring and drop off in the hotel's fountain, live souvenir alligators brought with them from Florida. Inside we studied a graceful Greek style life sized marble statue of Jefferson. From there we moved to inspect the hotel dining room.
All I can say is WOW! The Astors and Vanderbilts would have felt right at home.
As we departed Richmond, Jenny had us reroute to pay a visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church, the famous site where Patrick Henry made his daring challenge “GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH.
The church is a simple affair, quaint and unassuming. Built several decades before the Revolution. The church yard is filled with the colonial devout and renowned. One stone read, “He taught the likes of Thomas Jefferson and …” this being our final stop we clambered back in the car to make our way home. One last thing. When we stopped for lunch we stumbled on a delightful surprise, a Peruvian fusion restaurant, Aguayamento, just outside of Westfield, Virginia, where hot salted corn nuts served the same purpose as tortilla chips in a Mexican restaurant.
Good food. If you have the opportunity we highly reccomend it.
That's it. This was an incredible weekend, particularly for a Civil War aficionado. If only I’d found that Richmond sweatshirt I was looking for, it would have been perfect.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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The following morning and the morning thereafter, Jen and I enjoyed a sumptuous hot breakfast bar in the Inn’s dining room, after which we headed back to Tredegar to finish touring the works. On the way, we detoured to drive up and down Richmond’s Avenue of Monuments, featuring gargantuan memorials to JEB Stuart, Robert E. Lee,
Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, Matthew Fontaine Maury and … Arthur Ashe. The latter came as a surprise.
Soon after, we learned that Belle Isle (a pleasant sounding name for Richmond’s other terrible POW camp for wayward yankees) happened to be only a short walk across a suspended bridge from Tredegar.
Belle Isle is now a popular spot for jogging and dog exercising. Met many friendly canines coming and going. The historic prison today shows little evidence of the horror and sorrow that once existed.
A few park service signs and a collection of ballast stones arranged in the general area where the dead were buried, that’s about it.
What dominates the location now is the skeleton of a Chrysler tank turret plant (WWI era).
Returning to the Tredegar complex we entered Richmond’s CIVIL WAR GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER.
I have to say I was very impressed. I hold a Master’s in Public History and so am well aware of the trend in museum displays. This is state of the art.
I found it to be roomy, balanced, free flowing, broken by frequent informative videos and a wealth of Civil War relics. Displays covered the usual: politics leading up to the war, progression of the war, the home front, wartime industry (with an emphasis on Tredegar), and later reconciliation. One display particularly moved me – the coverage of Lincoln’s visit to Richmond no more than ONE DAY after its fall. Every step of the way, three separate points of view were offered: Northern, Southern and African American. I was impressed that the museum tour ends with an invitation to participate by sharing reactions to a number of related issues.
After departing the museum, Jen and I made our way to a highly-recommended park in ther west end of the city, Maymont Mansion and grounds.
The park is an incredible example of philanthropy. A well-to-do couple who lived on the grounds for thirty odd years, spending a fortune improving the estate to royal splendor, up and donated the whole kit and caboodle to the city. Beside the opulent mansion, Maymont includes an Italian garden,
an extensive Japanese garden,
a zoo, an aviary, and some amazing exotic trees, among them Deodar Cedars (in Sanskrit, “Tree of God”) originally native to the Himalayas. These trees have beautiful rose like cones. They are in fact nicknamed pine roses.
You are nearing the end, you who have stuck with me thus far. Stick with it a little longer, I’m almost done.
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John Poniske
United States
Pennsylvania
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We visited the site of the Tredegar Iron Works, primary armorer of the Confederacy.
It is located just off of the James River where great water wheels once helped to power its machinery.
One surprise after another … much of the old factory works are gone, but a good deal remains including one original and one reconstructed waterwheel numerous cannon (among them a rare stubby-barreled volley gun)
and a wonderful Richmond battle display that recreated numerous conflicts using colored lights, a more modern version of the great Gettysburg lighted battlefield.
Ah, but the piece-de-resistance happened to be a replica torpedo.
Having heard so much about them I was fascinated by the display. I also got into a genial argument with a Canadian visitor who got my ire up when he stated that slavery had nothing to do with the war. That led to a lengthy debate that wore on the patience of my indulgent wife. As it was, we barely made it out of the compound before they locked the gates.
That night we ate like kings at the unlikely named BEAUREGARD’S THAI ROOM. The décor is nothing to write home about, as the restaurant seemed to be an afterthought attached to a pretty popular bar. Still, the service was excellent as was the food. Had Thai dumplings, Thai beer, and was reacquainted with drunken noodles, Jen had brown noodles and shrimp which she declared to be delicious.
A short time later we had the hotel shuttle drop us at a local nightspot call Bogarts. I had images of a WWII era speakeasy complete with a big white baby grand. No such luck. Fairly unimpressive , just like the wine Jenny ordered. We were, however, graced with the most amazing jazz quartet. They were pretty good musicians, but what made them and the night memorable was their amazing resemblance to four personalities you might recognize. On percussion we had Sammie Davis Jr., on the electric base, a taciturn Buddy Holly, complete with horn rimmed glasses, the keyboardist and lead vocalist was none other than the laid back chief parrot head himself, Jimmy Buffet, but wait, on lead guitar was Jesus himself. What a night. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard Jesus riff out Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”
Returning to our third floor room in the inn we were bemused to find that a New Year’s wedding was planned the following evening. It appeared to involve a bevy of Marines who wandered in and out of their rooms in full dress blues. (I remember when) If this was not enough entertainment, a bagpiper seemed to have been brought in for the event. He strangled cats well into the night. Sigh.
More tomorrow night.
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