A new book and playing around with rules

Currently, I have my 20mm WWII collection set up on the tabletop as I am testing out some rule changes for combat and activation mechanics. A few photos from one of the test games below.

On the subject of rules, I recently picked up “The Fundamentals of Tabletop Miniatures Game Design - A Designer’s Handbook” by Glenn Ford and Mike Hutchinson. The book arrived the day before Christmas and I am treating it as a present to myself.

A recent purchase

Rather than reading it cover-to-cover I am dipping into different chapters to read about specific design aspects that catch my interest or areas where I’m seeking ideas. The book has 235 pages and is organised into three main sections:

• Miniatures as Medium
• Raw Materials
• Miniature Rule Systems

Each section contains multiple chapters that discuss various elements of game design along with their advantages and disadvantages. Examples of games using the discussed mechanics are often provided. At the end of each chapter, there’s a helpful summary along with suggested experiments to try out with the rules. The chapters are listed below and give an idea of what is covered:

Section 1 Miniatures as Medium.

• What Are Tabletop Miniatures Games?
• A Brief History of Miniatures Games.
• The Spatial Relationship.
• When Should Something Be a Miniatures Game?
• The Hobby Games Loop.
• Players of Tabletop Miniatures Games.
• Sources of Fun.
• The Victory Imperative.
• Fantasy and Narrative.
• Dramatic Focus. 

Section 2 The Raw Materials.

• Miniatures and Measures.
• Scale and Scope.
• Uncertainty.
• Dice Mechanics.
• Card Mechanics.
• Genre, Theme and Setting.
• Resources.

Section 3 Miniatures Rules Systems.

• Setup and Deployment.
• Activation and Initiative.
• Movement.
• Close Resolution.
• Line of Sight and Ranged Actions.
• Terrain.
• Control Removal.
• Damage.
• Victory Conditions.
• Special Abilities.
• Scenarios.
• Campaigns.
• Forces and List Building.
• Conclusion.

I have probably dipped into a third of the chapters so far. I have found them all easy to read and clearly written, averaging 8-10 pagers per chapter.

The authors of the book also have a YouTube channel where they have quite a list of videos where they discuss many of the topics covered above (https://www.youtube.com/@RuleofCarnage). I find I generally listen to them while painting.