The Wargaming Scribe
@wargamingscribe.bsky.social
Started as "all the computer strategy games in chronological order". Now a bit more.
https://zeitgame.net/
https://zeitgame.net/
Warlords (1978) by Speakeasy Software (Canada) is AFAIK the second PC wargame ever released (after Tanktics). Multiplayer-only, it's well-designed/coded for such an early game but incredibly dry: think Chess with randomness. Screens from my PBEM AAR below.
Read it here:
zeitgame.net/archives/19497
Read it here:
zeitgame.net/archives/19497
October 29, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Warlords (1978) by Speakeasy Software (Canada) is AFAIK the second PC wargame ever released (after Tanktics). Multiplayer-only, it's well-designed/coded for such an early game but incredibly dry: think Chess with randomness. Screens from my PBEM AAR below.
Read it here:
zeitgame.net/archives/19497
Read it here:
zeitgame.net/archives/19497
"Oh, you thought Rome fell in 1453/1461? Cute 😏".
My current tactics is to look appropriately jaded when anyone proposes a date and then assert that the Western Roman Empire finally fell with Wales in 1283 after the battle of Orewin Bridge.
My current tactics is to look appropriately jaded when anyone proposes a date and then assert that the Western Roman Empire finally fell with Wales in 1283 after the battle of Orewin Bridge.
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
"Oh, you thought Rome fell in 1453/1461? Cute 😏".
My current tactics is to look appropriately jaded when anyone proposes a date and then assert that the Western Roman Empire finally fell with Wales in 1283 after the battle of Orewin Bridge.
My current tactics is to look appropriately jaded when anyone proposes a date and then assert that the Western Roman Empire finally fell with Wales in 1283 after the battle of Orewin Bridge.
Operation Cerberus (1985) by Colin Bishop is the only game I know about the Feb '42 Channel Dash. The strategic layer is cosmetic; the game is rather a collection of minigames depending on what you attack with (plane, MTB, destroyer or even Dover guns!)
Review here: zeitgame.net/archives/19428
Review here: zeitgame.net/archives/19428
October 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Operation Cerberus (1985) by Colin Bishop is the only game I know about the Feb '42 Channel Dash. The strategic layer is cosmetic; the game is rather a collection of minigames depending on what you attack with (plane, MTB, destroyer or even Dover guns!)
Review here: zeitgame.net/archives/19428
Review here: zeitgame.net/archives/19428
I published the end of my Gulf Strike AAR. I focused on how the game came to be, from the board game designed by SPI survivors who fled to Avalon Hill, to the port by @nyrath.bsky.social, a Renaissance man to which we also own among others the iconic look of the OGRE.
zeitgame.net/archives/19330
zeitgame.net/archives/19330
October 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I published the end of my Gulf Strike AAR. I focused on how the game came to be, from the board game designed by SPI survivors who fled to Avalon Hill, to the port by @nyrath.bsky.social, a Renaissance man to which we also own among others the iconic look of the OGRE.
zeitgame.net/archives/19330
zeitgame.net/archives/19330
Back to traditional cwargames with Avalon Hill's Gulf Strike (1984), with an unexpected US+Iran+Peninsular Arabs alliance against Iraq+USSR. Bad UI (2 icons for everything - check the 4th screenshot) & major design flaws make this early monster game mediocre. Read my AAR:
zeitgame.net/archives/19231
zeitgame.net/archives/19231
September 29, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Back to traditional cwargames with Avalon Hill's Gulf Strike (1984), with an unexpected US+Iran+Peninsular Arabs alliance against Iraq+USSR. Bad UI (2 icons for everything - check the 4th screenshot) & major design flaws make this early monster game mediocre. Read my AAR:
zeitgame.net/archives/19231
zeitgame.net/archives/19231
Paul Clansey's Alien (1984) is the first official game of the licence. Quite innovative and supported by excellent SFX, this Alien managed to create really tense moments; alas its many design issues and outright bugs will ruin most sessions.
AAR and context of the game:
zeitgame.net/archives/18838
AAR and context of the game:
zeitgame.net/archives/18838
September 17, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Paul Clansey's Alien (1984) is the first official game of the licence. Quite innovative and supported by excellent SFX, this Alien managed to create really tense moments; alas its many design issues and outright bugs will ruin most sessions.
AAR and context of the game:
zeitgame.net/archives/18838
AAR and context of the game:
zeitgame.net/archives/18838
Just published: Reyes y Castillos (1984) - the first Argentinian game of my blog. It's terrible, but I learned a lot of things researching Argentina & Uruguay, so it's not a total loss. I made sure the 2 last screenshots included lunfardo (rioplatenese argot)!
Read more: zeitgame.net/archives/18350
Read more: zeitgame.net/archives/18350
September 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Just published: Reyes y Castillos (1984) - the first Argentinian game of my blog. It's terrible, but I learned a lot of things researching Argentina & Uruguay, so it's not a total loss. I made sure the 2 last screenshots included lunfardo (rioplatenese argot)!
Read more: zeitgame.net/archives/18350
Read more: zeitgame.net/archives/18350
Back with the article on computing & gaming in Uruguay. There was a weird Coleco ADAM presence, but Brazilian clones TK90S bagged close to 50% of the market. Uruguay also had a Spectrum peripherical that would make the Brits jealous Discover why:
zeitgame.net/archives/18891
zeitgame.net/archives/18891
September 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Back with the article on computing & gaming in Uruguay. There was a weird Coleco ADAM presence, but Brazilian clones TK90S bagged close to 50% of the market. Uruguay also had a Spectrum peripherical that would make the Brits jealous Discover why:
zeitgame.net/archives/18891
zeitgame.net/archives/18891
Just out: my article on the beginnings of computing & gaming in Argentina, from the first computer (1961) to the end of the 80s. What was the first Argentinian game? Why isn't there any famous Argentinian company until the 90s (and even then very few of them). Read here: zeitgame.net/archives/18373
August 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Just out: my article on the beginnings of computing & gaming in Argentina, from the first computer (1961) to the end of the 80s. What was the first Argentinian game? Why isn't there any famous Argentinian company until the 90s (and even then very few of them). Read here: zeitgame.net/archives/18373
In theory, Synapse's Air Support (1984) is a game for everyone with an arcade mode (combat-focused) and a strategy mode (where you move infantry around).
In practice, it's jack of all trades, adequate at none. It was also released at the worst possible moment. Read more:
zeitgame.net/archives/18753
In practice, it's jack of all trades, adequate at none. It was also released at the worst possible moment. Read more:
zeitgame.net/archives/18753
July 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
In theory, Synapse's Air Support (1984) is a game for everyone with an arcade mode (combat-focused) and a strategy mode (where you move infantry around).
In practice, it's jack of all trades, adequate at none. It was also released at the worst possible moment. Read more:
zeitgame.net/archives/18753
In practice, it's jack of all trades, adequate at none. It was also released at the worst possible moment. Read more:
zeitgame.net/archives/18753
... today I cover another one: PSS' Air Defence, which has a few interesting features that the others don't have, but is so slow and so poorly-designed UI wise that it may be the worst one. Read my review:
zeitgame.net/archives/18677
The best one? So far SSI's Fighter Command, soon on my blog.
zeitgame.net/archives/18677
The best one? So far SSI's Fighter Command, soon on my blog.
July 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
... today I cover another one: PSS' Air Defence, which has a few interesting features that the others don't have, but is so slow and so poorly-designed UI wise that it may be the worst one. Read my review:
zeitgame.net/archives/18677
The best one? So far SSI's Fighter Command, soon on my blog.
zeitgame.net/archives/18677
The best one? So far SSI's Fighter Command, soon on my blog.
In the "wargame subgenres that did not pass the test of time" category, there is "Air Defense", in which you allocate fighters to enemy bombing squadrons. This subgenre was particularly popular in UK (probably due to the Battle of Britain) - here are four examples below, but there are more (1/2)
July 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
In the "wargame subgenres that did not pass the test of time" category, there is "Air Defense", in which you allocate fighters to enemy bombing squadrons. This subgenre was particularly popular in UK (probably due to the Battle of Britain) - here are four examples below, but there are more (1/2)
All I can say about War Zone (1984, CCS) is that it is a wargame. It is the most generic experience I can think of. No salient feature whatsoever, and no huge flaw, beyond its absolute blandness. Still praised at release because there were so few wargames then.
AAR: zeitgame.net/archives/18490
AAR: zeitgame.net/archives/18490
July 10, 2025 at 11:25 AM
All I can say about War Zone (1984, CCS) is that it is a wargame. It is the most generic experience I can think of. No salient feature whatsoever, and no huge flaw, beyond its absolute blandness. Still praised at release because there were so few wargames then.
AAR: zeitgame.net/archives/18490
AAR: zeitgame.net/archives/18490
Before Civilization, there was a Civ-like(ish): Incunabula (1984). It included most of the Civ-like staples: Research, Disasters, City-Building, choice of politics, trade and of course warfare. It missed dedicated combat units and stopped at the bronze age. Read my AAR:
zeitgame.net/archives/18543
zeitgame.net/archives/18543
July 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Before Civilization, there was a Civ-like(ish): Incunabula (1984). It included most of the Civ-like staples: Research, Disasters, City-Building, choice of politics, trade and of course warfare. It missed dedicated combat units and stopped at the bronze age. Read my AAR:
zeitgame.net/archives/18543
zeitgame.net/archives/18543
Turn 4 of Warlords
A short turn with only two impulses. This is bad for my rival Rastignak though: Morpheus manages to push him back from the border of his castle and retake a town, and I start my move against Dayyalu's former castle - wealthy yet isolated.
Rastignak was poised to win. Not anymore.
A short turn with only two impulses. This is bad for my rival Rastignak though: Morpheus manages to push him back from the border of his castle and retake a town, and I start my move against Dayyalu's former castle - wealthy yet isolated.
Rastignak was poised to win. Not anymore.
June 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Turn 4 of Warlords
A short turn with only two impulses. This is bad for my rival Rastignak though: Morpheus manages to push him back from the border of his castle and retake a town, and I start my move against Dayyalu's former castle - wealthy yet isolated.
Rastignak was poised to win. Not anymore.
A short turn with only two impulses. This is bad for my rival Rastignak though: Morpheus manages to push him back from the border of his castle and retake a town, and I start my move against Dayyalu's former castle - wealthy yet isolated.
Rastignak was poised to win. Not anymore.
Turn 3 of the Warlords' (1978) AAR;I received only two impulses vs three for the other players this turn :(
Rastignak moves first AGAIN and garrisons Xity. I move away. He then beeline for Morpheus and defeats his main army in front of M's castle - but the turn ends there so Morpheus can rebuild.
Rastignak moves first AGAIN and garrisons Xity. I move away. He then beeline for Morpheus and defeats his main army in front of M's castle - but the turn ends there so Morpheus can rebuild.
June 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Turn 3 of the Warlords' (1978) AAR;I received only two impulses vs three for the other players this turn :(
Rastignak moves first AGAIN and garrisons Xity. I move away. He then beeline for Morpheus and defeats his main army in front of M's castle - but the turn ends there so Morpheus can rebuild.
Rastignak moves first AGAIN and garrisons Xity. I move away. He then beeline for Morpheus and defeats his main army in front of M's castle - but the turn ends there so Morpheus can rebuild.
It's time to buy new armies. Money that wasn't spent the previous turn can be used to buy army everywhere, money earned this turn can only be used to buy army in the castle. My revenue is 17, Morpheus' 18 and Rastignak's 25. This means immediate alliance with Morpheus...
June 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
It's time to buy new armies. Money that wasn't spent the previous turn can be used to buy army everywhere, money earned this turn can only be used to buy army in the castle. My revenue is 17, Morpheus' 18 and Rastignak's 25. This means immediate alliance with Morpheus...
But the random turn order every impulse favours Rastignak, and he gets to garrison his city before I can launch my assault. I am not willing to attack a city with "only" a 3:2 ratio, and I take a poor territory instead. That's the last impulse of the turn.
June 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
But the random turn order every impulse favours Rastignak, and he gets to garrison his city before I can launch my assault. I am not willing to attack a city with "only" a 3:2 ratio, and I take a poor territory instead. That's the last impulse of the turn.
Dayyalu gathers what's left of his force in his castle, but Rastignak's force is stronger, or luckier, and Dayyalu's castle is overrun!
Meanwhile, I hope to exploit the fast that Rastignak's army are fighting Dayyalu to seize the wealthy [X]ity... (3/5)
Meanwhile, I hope to exploit the fast that Rastignak's army are fighting Dayyalu to seize the wealthy [X]ity... (3/5)
June 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Dayyalu gathers what's left of his force in his castle, but Rastignak's force is stronger, or luckier, and Dayyalu's castle is overrun!
Meanwhile, I hope to exploit the fast that Rastignak's army are fighting Dayyalu to seize the wealthy [X]ity... (3/5)
Meanwhile, I hope to exploit the fast that Rastignak's army are fighting Dayyalu to seize the wealthy [X]ity... (3/5)
Dayyalu and myself agree on an alliance in which we both converge on Rastignak. The alliance never materialize: Rastignak moves first and attack a swamp South of Dayyalu's castle! (2/5)
June 14, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Dayyalu and myself agree on an alliance in which we both converge on Rastignak. The alliance never materialize: Rastignak moves first and attack a swamp South of Dayyalu's castle! (2/5)
Turn 1: Rastignak proposes that I seize the unguarded Dayyalu's castle from the North while Dayyalu is moving South.
I don't see the point given Rastignak has the best start and it's a risky move anyway. Good choice: the number of impulses every turn is random, and the first turn has only one!
I don't see the point given Rastignak has the best start and it's a risky move anyway. Good choice: the number of impulses every turn is random, and the first turn has only one!
![I replace the [L]ake by blue squares to add some colour and show that they can't be crossed.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vbyos4ly2hmqqx5vbwzom2g4/bafkreif473ivcqpztvqjbc3n7xspsfg67tiiwid32pbllk6iytfeu276xe@jpeg)
June 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Turn 1: Rastignak proposes that I seize the unguarded Dayyalu's castle from the North while Dayyalu is moving South.
I don't see the point given Rastignak has the best start and it's a risky move anyway. Good choice: the number of impulses every turn is random, and the first turn has only one!
I don't see the point given Rastignak has the best start and it's a risky move anyway. Good choice: the number of impulses every turn is random, and the first turn has only one!
We open on the game's 7x7 map. In each tile, the first number is terrain (T= Town, F= Forest, etc), the second pop/revenue, the third owner. The number below is soldiers. My C[astle] has a population of only six!
Not a great start for me: low starting revenue, and the rich X[ity] is far away! [3/3]
Not a great start for me: low starting revenue, and the rich X[ity] is far away! [3/3]
June 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
We open on the game's 7x7 map. In each tile, the first number is terrain (T= Town, F= Forest, etc), the second pop/revenue, the third owner. The number below is soldiers. My C[astle] has a population of only six!
Not a great start for me: low starting revenue, and the rich X[ity] is far away! [3/3]
Not a great start for me: low starting revenue, and the rich X[ity] is far away! [3/3]
I am going to try something new: an AAR through BlueSky.
The game is going to be Speakeasy Software's Warlord. It was released in 1978C; if you don't include imports from Mainframe it is, to my knowledge, one of the first 3 (with Tankics and Starfleet Orion). [Intro 1/3]
The game is going to be Speakeasy Software's Warlord. It was released in 1978C; if you don't include imports from Mainframe it is, to my knowledge, one of the first 3 (with Tankics and Starfleet Orion). [Intro 1/3]
June 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I am going to try something new: an AAR through BlueSky.
The game is going to be Speakeasy Software's Warlord. It was released in 1978C; if you don't include imports from Mainframe it is, to my knowledge, one of the first 3 (with Tankics and Starfleet Orion). [Intro 1/3]
The game is going to be Speakeasy Software's Warlord. It was released in 1978C; if you don't include imports from Mainframe it is, to my knowledge, one of the first 3 (with Tankics and Starfleet Orion). [Intro 1/3]
Siege on the Volga (1984) is the first computer wargame specifically about the Battle of Stalingrad. Great presentation, w/ a map & counters to visualize the battle (unnecessary, as the in-computer game map is good), but shallow and easy. Hard to see why the Germans lost.
zeitgame.net/archives/18269
zeitgame.net/archives/18269
June 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Siege on the Volga (1984) is the first computer wargame specifically about the Battle of Stalingrad. Great presentation, w/ a map & counters to visualize the battle (unnecessary, as the in-computer game map is good), but shallow and easy. Hard to see why the Germans lost.
zeitgame.net/archives/18269
zeitgame.net/archives/18269
Storm Trooper (1984). There isn't a lot of nice things to say about this type-in game, except that it held in only 3 pages! In any case, squad tactical is my favorite genre, so I had to cover it.
zeitgame.net/archives/18072
I haven't posted lately, but I got stuck on long games. That's over :).
zeitgame.net/archives/18072
I haven't posted lately, but I got stuck on long games. That's over :).
June 2, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Storm Trooper (1984). There isn't a lot of nice things to say about this type-in game, except that it held in only 3 pages! In any case, squad tactical is my favorite genre, so I had to cover it.
zeitgame.net/archives/18072
I haven't posted lately, but I got stuck on long games. That's over :).
zeitgame.net/archives/18072
I haven't posted lately, but I got stuck on long games. That's over :).