James Buckley
@jsbuckley.bsky.social
Founder of Sapper Studio - a tabletop game design and development studio. https://www.sapperstudio.com/
Interested in all things wargamey - both professional and hobby fields.
Interested in all things wargamey - both professional and hobby fields.
In early 2023 @fredserval.bsky.social made a game we could give away at PunchedCON. I enjoyed the game, and @domhnallh.bsky.social art so much, I convinced @phalanxgames.bsky.social to publish it. And here it is. Excellent production by PHALANX as always. Can't wait to play it again!
November 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
In early 2023 @fredserval.bsky.social made a game we could give away at PunchedCON. I enjoyed the game, and @domhnallh.bsky.social art so much, I convinced @phalanxgames.bsky.social to publish it. And here it is. Excellent production by PHALANX as always. Can't wait to play it again!
Bell of Treason by @gmtgames.bsky.social at CzechConSimCon. It's less expansive, there's less 'to do', than Red Flag Over Paris. It's more set piece. But that's not a criticism. Rather you feel the pressure placed on the president, and the whim and nefarious impact of outside powers. Very tight.
October 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Bell of Treason by @gmtgames.bsky.social at CzechConSimCon. It's less expansive, there's less 'to do', than Red Flag Over Paris. It's more set piece. But that's not a criticism. Rather you feel the pressure placed on the president, and the whim and nefarious impact of outside powers. Very tight.
I'm trying to see if/how I can use an LLM to reduce time lost on mundane aspects of development. Today, I'm looking for a quicker way to create and upload prototype counters for TTS mods. I've tried using Claude but it's failed. Is there an LLM which is particularly good at visual stuff like this?
October 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I'm trying to see if/how I can use an LLM to reduce time lost on mundane aspects of development. Today, I'm looking for a quicker way to create and upload prototype counters for TTS mods. I've tried using Claude but it's failed. Is there an LLM which is particularly good at visual stuff like this?
Playing a first game of Air & Armor Wurzburg. Very impressed.
October 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Playing a first game of Air & Armor Wurzburg. Very impressed.
Exciting news coming out of France!
September 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Exciting news coming out of France!
@markherman54.bsky.social's keynote speech this morning at ConnectionsUK. My conclusions from his presentation: professional and commercial games have some differences, much in common, and lots to learn from each other.
September 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
@markherman54.bsky.social's keynote speech this morning at ConnectionsUK. My conclusions from his presentation: professional and commercial games have some differences, much in common, and lots to learn from each other.
Taking part in the Green & Pleasant Land mega game at ConnectionsUK. I'm the National Security Adviser. War with Russia looms. The UK govn is preoccupied with fire fighting mini crises. The PM is chairing regular cabinet meetings, but I fear Russian destabilisation efforts are proving effective.
September 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Taking part in the Green & Pleasant Land mega game at ConnectionsUK. I'm the National Security Adviser. War with Russia looms. The UK govn is preoccupied with fire fighting mini crises. The PM is chairing regular cabinet meetings, but I fear Russian destabilisation efforts are proving effective.
Nudge nudge, just 48 hours remain to pre-order Battlegroup Clash: Baltics at a discount of 30% on the MSRP.
Experience modern warfare as a NATO or Russian commander in this game for professional & hobby wargamers.
Delivery planned for later this year.
Pre-order here: www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
Experience modern warfare as a NATO or Russian commander in this game for professional & hobby wargamers.
Delivery planned for later this year.
Pre-order here: www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
August 30, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Nudge nudge, just 48 hours remain to pre-order Battlegroup Clash: Baltics at a discount of 30% on the MSRP.
Experience modern warfare as a NATO or Russian commander in this game for professional & hobby wargamers.
Delivery planned for later this year.
Pre-order here: www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
Experience modern warfare as a NATO or Russian commander in this game for professional & hobby wargamers.
Delivery planned for later this year.
Pre-order here: www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
Woah, this just arrived out of nowhere, ordered on a whim. I know very little about the game. Can't be many games that have a 7th edition, right? Anyone played any earlier edition?
August 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Woah, this just arrived out of nowhere, ordered on a whim. I know very little about the game. Can't be many games that have a 7th edition, right? Anyone played any earlier edition?
Newest member of the Buckley household! Hamish the Welsh Terrier ❤️
August 23, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Newest member of the Buckley household! Hamish the Welsh Terrier ❤️
So many things to remember launching a game first time as a completely solo endeavour. I just clocked I need a copyright for Battlegroup Clash. Inspired by @colewehrle.bsky.social I went for a Creative Commons licence. Share and adapt, but acknowledge the source, and no commercial gain. Back cover.
August 10, 2025 at 10:25 AM
So many things to remember launching a game first time as a completely solo endeavour. I just clocked I need a copyright for Battlegroup Clash. Inspired by @colewehrle.bsky.social I went for a Creative Commons licence. Share and adapt, but acknowledge the source, and no commercial gain. Back cover.
Pre-orders now open for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
August 1, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Pre-orders now open for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
Back at the Cardboard Emperors club in London for the first time in ages. We completed our Purple Haze campaign! Also being played: Struggle of Empires, Imperial Struggle and Pax Renaissance.
July 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Back at the Cardboard Emperors club in London for the first time in ages. We completed our Purple Haze campaign! Also being played: Struggle of Empires, Imperial Struggle and Pax Renaissance.
The final map for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics is now ready, see below. All the maps are grid based, and replicate satellite imagery of Estonia. Blind playtesting is underway. I plan to open up the game for pre-orders at the start of next month. Sign up for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
July 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The final map for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics is now ready, see below. All the maps are grid based, and replicate satellite imagery of Estonia. Blind playtesting is underway. I plan to open up the game for pre-orders at the start of next month. Sign up for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
The campaign scenario of Liberty Roads begins. I really enjoyed playing Stalingrad Roads solo, so I'm looking forward to this. Recommended reading: Monty's Men by John Buckley (no relation). A great book re-examining the British Army's performance post D-Day, h/t @charlesvasey.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The campaign scenario of Liberty Roads begins. I really enjoyed playing Stalingrad Roads solo, so I'm looking forward to this. Recommended reading: Monty's Men by John Buckley (no relation). A great book re-examining the British Army's performance post D-Day, h/t @charlesvasey.bsky.social
The latest designer diary for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics is up. It covers a recent 6-player playtest, a production timeline update, and how the game models electronic warfare & drones. If you have any interest in tactical EW and drones, have a read.
www.sapperstudio.com/post/battleg...
www.sapperstudio.com/post/battleg...
May 17, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The latest designer diary for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics is up. It covers a recent 6-player playtest, a production timeline update, and how the game models electronic warfare & drones. If you have any interest in tactical EW and drones, have a read.
www.sapperstudio.com/post/battleg...
www.sapperstudio.com/post/battleg...
Promised myself I wasn't going to buy any new games at PunchedCON this year... 😂
May 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Promised myself I wasn't going to buy any new games at PunchedCON this year... 😂
Epic Command & Colours Waterloo game underway at PunchedCON. Bold moves being made by @fredserval.bsky.social
May 9, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Epic Command & Colours Waterloo game underway at PunchedCON. Bold moves being made by @fredserval.bsky.social
I now have a prototype copy of Battlegroup Clash Baltics. Map artwork courtesy of Shayne Langdon, designer of Old School Tactical.
Getting some playtesting in before a big 3vs3 player at PunchedCON on Saturday.
www.sapperstudio.com/games
Getting some playtesting in before a big 3vs3 player at PunchedCON on Saturday.
www.sapperstudio.com/games
May 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I now have a prototype copy of Battlegroup Clash Baltics. Map artwork courtesy of Shayne Langdon, designer of Old School Tactical.
Getting some playtesting in before a big 3vs3 player at PunchedCON on Saturday.
www.sapperstudio.com/games
Getting some playtesting in before a big 3vs3 player at PunchedCON on Saturday.
www.sapperstudio.com/games
Just arrived! Thank you @sebastianbae.bsky.social ♥️
Can't wait to dig into it!
Can't wait to dig into it!
April 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Just arrived! Thank you @sebastianbae.bsky.social ♥️
Can't wait to dig into it!
Can't wait to dig into it!
I'm helping edit the rules for Sea & Steel, forthcoming by @nevawargames.bsky.social. Just played my first game (Vassal). If I weren't getting a comp copy I would be ordering it straight away. Mechanically simple but tense and with tough decision. Great looking too!
nevawargames.com/product/sea-...
nevawargames.com/product/sea-...
April 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I'm helping edit the rules for Sea & Steel, forthcoming by @nevawargames.bsky.social. Just played my first game (Vassal). If I weren't getting a comp copy I would be ordering it straight away. Mechanically simple but tense and with tough decision. Great looking too!
nevawargames.com/product/sea-...
nevawargames.com/product/sea-...
Here's a review of Battlegroup Clash! It highlights key game features like the Orders system & electronic warfare. "Superb, like nothing I have played before," he says.
boardgamegeek.com/thread/34882...
The game will be up for pre-orders 'soon'.
Register for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
boardgamegeek.com/thread/34882...
The game will be up for pre-orders 'soon'.
Register for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
April 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Here's a review of Battlegroup Clash! It highlights key game features like the Orders system & electronic warfare. "Superb, like nothing I have played before," he says.
boardgamegeek.com/thread/34882...
The game will be up for pre-orders 'soon'.
Register for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
boardgamegeek.com/thread/34882...
The game will be up for pre-orders 'soon'.
Register for updates here www.sapperstudio.com/games
Just finished the campaign game of Stalingrad Roads by @nutspublishing.bsky.social. Have played it solo for about a month (c25 hours total). Soviets took Kharkov on the last roll for a minor victory. Try a monster-ish h&c game solo, it can be a great experience. Video coming @fredserval.bsky.social?
March 25, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Just finished the campaign game of Stalingrad Roads by @nutspublishing.bsky.social. Have played it solo for about a month (c25 hours total). Soviets took Kharkov on the last roll for a minor victory. Try a monster-ish h&c game solo, it can be a great experience. Video coming @fredserval.bsky.social?
Played every COIN game out there, multiple times. Cuba Libre remains my favourite. Accessible. Fast. No fiddly rules. The best tabletalk. Dark humour. Sinatra. And whadda look.
March 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Played every COIN game out there, multiple times. Cuba Libre remains my favourite. Accessible. Fast. No fiddly rules. The best tabletalk. Dark humour. Sinatra. And whadda look.
Yesterday I played a mega game on Operation Market Garden. Played with c100 others over 3 venues & online. Umpires managed the game as a double blind with each team having their own map. I led 43rd Div to Eindhoven. It was a great experience. I'm planning to run a smaller mega game at PunchedCON.26
March 16, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Yesterday I played a mega game on Operation Market Garden. Played with c100 others over 3 venues & online. Umpires managed the game as a double blind with each team having their own map. I led 43rd Div to Eindhoven. It was a great experience. I'm planning to run a smaller mega game at PunchedCON.26