Further Misadventures in Solo Wargaming

"Building odd monuments with a single viewing chair in a protean gallery of your own learning experiences is one of the things you learn to treasure as a solo gamer. I believe these little triumphs and insights enrich the inner life."

These thoughts and more in Episode 72 as I document my attempts to learn Thunderbolt Apache Leader. Two options: Check out Pt. 3 of my Hapless Commander's Journal if you're in a reading mood, or hit play and also get the blog post read aloud, further experiments with upgrading cheap whiskey, and a fun Handsome Boy Modeling school track.

Making TTRPGs More Accessible for Kids and Families

Educator, mom and TTRPG designer Leslie Arambula put us up on Stargems, a space-hopping adventure that uses a simplified TTRPG system perfect for adventurers as young as four.

If you have kids who are fascinated with what's happening on your D&D table but who aren't ready for that much complexity, Leslie has created an alternative worth checking out.

She followed that release with a 3-in-1 holiday bundle of adventures using the same system. Keep an eye out in February as she Kickstarts a "witchy, crafting system for 1-4 players" as part of ZineQuest 2024.

Try These Monopoly Hacks Instead of Your Dumb House Rules

First of all, a pile of cash from Free Parking isn't a thing. Second of all, Monopoly is lame. Being a thoughtful and helpful chap, our Aussie homie Noisy Andrew (a.k.a. Party Meeple) made a short video that talks about house rules, Monopoly's fundamental and frequently bemoaned designed flaws, and a few creative tweaks your game group can use to make this unavoidable title more enjoyable.

In the Mailbox: Dustrunner, My Second Tin Series Game

Jason Glover of Grey Gnome Games had a January sale, so I snapped up Dustrunner, a solo game from his Tin Series that sees you equipping a wasteland vehicle for a scary dash across a map with vicious raiders close on your tail. Did you get caught or gobbled up by a dustworm? Set it up and try again. Or pack it back into its lovely little tin for your next try. Look for this one in a future episode of Breakup Gaming Society.

That's all I got for this one. Until next time, may you fight long and well.

N