Mark Herman
@markherman54.bsky.social
Professional Game Designer
Back from WBC more For the People. Opening cards with many US naval opportunities. Opened with strategy board Butler to Sabine city, CSA sent Price to TX. Red River (50/50 run guns) succeeds, Overseas agent event. War in West removes Concentration card, CSA Minor then USA minor.
August 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Back from WBC more For the People. Opening cards with many US naval opportunities. Opened with strategy board Butler to Sabine city, CSA sent Price to TX. Red River (50/50 run guns) succeeds, Overseas agent event. War in West removes Concentration card, CSA Minor then USA minor.
The Toppen Vassal set cometh.
July 6, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The Toppen Vassal set cometh.
When I’m designing I don’t get to play much. As the Army of the Potomac is in final production today is the day I can play for fun and insight. Fair Oaks is a one day (2 turn) historical training scenario that takes 30m to play. After I play it a dozen times or so today I over to the Seven Days.
June 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
When I’m designing I don’t get to play much. As the Army of the Potomac is in final production today is the day I can play for fun and insight. Fair Oaks is a one day (2 turn) historical training scenario that takes 30m to play. After I play it a dozen times or so today I over to the Seven Days.
Final art, checking set ups. Seven Pines, 7 Days, May 18 1864 Campaign start, Cold Harbor. Overall 10 scenarios.
June 15, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Final art, checking set ups. Seven Pines, 7 Days, May 18 1864 Campaign start, Cold Harbor. Overall 10 scenarios.
Rainy day and my wife is out doing errands. Oh well, I guess I’m forced to play Army of the Potomac. This is the start of the May 11 PM movement phase, Union has the initiative. What’s your first Union move?
June 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Rainy day and my wife is out doing errands. Oh well, I guess I’m forced to play Army of the Potomac. This is the start of the May 11 PM movement phase, Union has the initiative. What’s your first Union move?
What sorcery is this?
June 11, 2025 at 8:22 PM
What sorcery is this?
Schematic of all the Army of the Potomac maps that will be in the Playbook.
June 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Schematic of all the Army of the Potomac maps that will be in the Playbook.
Army of the Potomac, May 10 AM; operational campaign is validating Grand tactical model. Armies are where they were with historical casualties with no special rules. Having too much fun.
June 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Army of the Potomac, May 10 AM; operational campaign is validating Grand tactical model. Armies are where they were with historical casualties with no special rules. Having too much fun.
Dune: war for Arrakis, heats up after both sides receive Spacing Guild reinforcements. Harkonnen needs 4 points to win as Atriedes are further from victory.
May 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Dune: war for Arrakis, heats up after both sides receive Spacing Guild reinforcements. Harkonnen needs 4 points to win as Atriedes are further from victory.
During my lunch break starting a game of DUNE!
May 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
During my lunch break starting a game of DUNE!
I’m officially addicted playing the 1864 campaign scenario. This is May 8th PM movement phase. It’s hard to tell but Sheridan has just begun his cavalry raid. Grant is pushing on the CSA left flank but a recent Ewell 2nd Corps attack busted up Getty’s division. Total casualties 50k.
May 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I’m officially addicted playing the 1864 campaign scenario. This is May 8th PM movement phase. It’s hard to tell but Sheridan has just begun his cavalry raid. Grant is pushing on the CSA left flank but a recent Ewell 2nd Corps attack busted up Getty’s division. Total casualties 50k.
Just like the real campaign the Rebs just beat the Union to Laurel Hill. 1864 campaign proceeds.
May 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Just like the real campaign the Rebs just beat the Union to Laurel Hill. 1864 campaign proceeds.
AoP Design phase is complete, now in art and playbook editing. Today is fun day where I’m going to play the entire combined 1864 campaign. Starts with the Wilderness, moves onto the overlap Spotsylvania map, then North Anna, then Richmond. Covers from May 5th to June 5 1864, century ago this month.
May 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
AoP Design phase is complete, now in art and playbook editing. Today is fun day where I’m going to play the entire combined 1864 campaign. Starts with the Wilderness, moves onto the overlap Spotsylvania map, then North Anna, then Richmond. Covers from May 5th to June 5 1864, century ago this month.
Army of the Potomac counters now into final art. By combining Rebel Fury Wilderness map you can now for the first time play the entire Grand Tactical entire 1864 campaign at the 1/2 mile/ hex scale. In order set up for AoP campaign, North Anna, and 7 Days (playtest counters).
May 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Army of the Potomac counters now into final art. By combining Rebel Fury Wilderness map you can now for the first time play the entire Grand Tactical entire 1864 campaign at the 1/2 mile/ hex scale. In order set up for AoP campaign, North Anna, and 7 Days (playtest counters).
Finished the Seven days battle scenario. It took a lot of official report research to get everyone in the right location. This scenario will play solitaire (historical) and two player (what-if). Today is going to be fun as I’m play testing
May 16, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Finished the Seven days battle scenario. It took a lot of official report research to get everyone in the right location. This scenario will play solitaire (historical) and two player (what-if). Today is going to be fun as I’m play testing
Tonight I’m watching Ken Burn’s (someone I would love to talk to) The Civil War; 1864 disc. Then back to For the People. Great evening ahead.
May 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Tonight I’m watching Ken Burn’s (someone I would love to talk to) The Civil War; 1864 disc. Then back to For the People. Great evening ahead.
Back in the US and have set up the position for T7, with cards. Interesting this is only the second campaign card drawn this game. CSA hand is going to be a bit tough in this situation. Union hand faces similar challenges. Should be interesting.
April 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Back in the US and have set up the position for T7, with cards. Interesting this is only the second campaign card drawn this game. CSA hand is going to be a bit tough in this situation. Union hand faces similar challenges. Should be interesting.
Game over, Spartans finish off Athens. Quick game with a great narrative. Frederic Bey always delivers.
April 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Game over, Spartans finish off Athens. Quick game with a great narrative. Frederic Bey always delivers.
T2 went badly for Athens. Pylos fortification is surrounded on land and sea plus the play of event 12 has delayed the Athenian navy. It will be a near run turn 4 to see if Sparta reverses history.
April 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
T2 went badly for Athens. Pylos fortification is surrounded on land and sea plus the play of event 12 has delayed the Athenian navy. It will be a near run turn 4 to see if Sparta reverses history.
T2 went badly for Athens. Pylos fortification is surrounded on land and sea plus the play of event 12 has delayed the Athenian navy. It will be a near run turn 4 to see if Sparta reverses history.
April 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
T2 went badly for Athens. Pylos fortification is surrounded on land and sea plus the play of event 12 has delayed the Athenian navy. It will be a near run turn 4 to see if Sparta reverses history.
Pre-dawn Turks & Caicos game of Frank Davis’s epic Frederick the Great. This is the 1756 scenario I have played countless times in hotel rooms across the world. This is the SPI map with AH counters. Last day, head back to states tomorrow. Great country to visit.
April 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Pre-dawn Turks & Caicos game of Frank Davis’s epic Frederick the Great. This is the 1756 scenario I have played countless times in hotel rooms across the world. This is the SPI map with AH counters. Last day, head back to states tomorrow. Great country to visit.
For the People T5: summer ‘62, battle for KY intensifies while Union forces buff up in strength. Lee in central position set to move in any direction. Union newspapers call for an advance on Richmond.
April 20, 2025 at 12:59 PM
For the People T5: summer ‘62, battle for KY intensifies while Union forces buff up in strength. Lee in central position set to move in any direction. Union newspapers call for an advance on Richmond.
For the People T5: summer ‘62, battle for KY intensifies while Union forces buff up in strength. Lee in central position set to move in any direction. Union newspapers call for an advance on Richmond.
April 20, 2025 at 12:23 PM
For the People T5: summer ‘62, battle for KY intensifies while Union forces buff up in strength. Lee in central position set to move in any direction. Union newspapers call for an advance on Richmond.
Likely the first game of For the People ever played in Turks & Caicos. Note opening hands; Union top, South bottom. Which card should the Union play first?
April 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Likely the first game of For the People ever played in Turks & Caicos. Note opening hands; Union top, South bottom. Which card should the Union play first?