Mark Johnson
@wargamestogo.bsky.social
This is my wargame-focused account, tying in to my irregular podcast. Proud parent of trans & cis daughters.🏳️⚧️👩🏽🤝👩🏼 Discord: https://discord.gg/vxEG9bMPdx
WargamesToGo.com
WargamesToGo.com
Guess what? Besides the cool seminars/talks and seeing the local sights I also played some GAMES at @sdhistcon.bsky.social . As befits this unique event, the titles reflect new directions in “wargaming,” as well as older precursors of the same. History Games!
November 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Guess what? Besides the cool seminars/talks and seeing the local sights I also played some GAMES at @sdhistcon.bsky.social . As befits this unique event, the titles reflect new directions in “wargaming,” as well as older precursors of the same. History Games!
Age yourself with tabletop gaming
November 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Age yourself with tabletop gaming
Hey @volko.bsky.social , after I recommended The Barbarossa Campaign to you (for its chit-pull), and name-dropped Bruce Geryk to emphasize the point, I learned that Bruce is actually trying to bring it back into print. boardgamegeek.com/thread/34235...
TBC rights and reprint | The Barbarossa Campaign
I'd like to announce that I have purchased the rights to The Barbarossa Campaign (both editions) from Gary Graber. I did this specifically in order to facilitate a new edition. I have been trying to g...
boardgamegeek.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Hey @volko.bsky.social , after I recommended The Barbarossa Campaign to you (for its chit-pull), and name-dropped Bruce Geryk to emphasize the point, I learned that Bruce is actually trying to bring it back into print. boardgamegeek.com/thread/34235...
As much as I liked the games I played (to be described on my next podcast), I also liked the other opportunities at @sdhistcon.bsky.social . I went to the nearby Sunset Cliffs, saw the impressive Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, and listened to more seminar panels.
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
As much as I liked the games I played (to be described on my next podcast), I also liked the other opportunities at @sdhistcon.bsky.social . I went to the nearby Sunset Cliffs, saw the impressive Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, and listened to more seminar panels.
A rare treat to get back into some smaller/lighter wargames & history games at @sdhistcon.bsky.social .
November 9, 2025 at 6:07 AM
A rare treat to get back into some smaller/lighter wargames & history games at @sdhistcon.bsky.social .
What was your first tabletop wargame?
October 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
What was your first tabletop wargame?
Now some wonderful nautical history at the Connecticut River museum. The successful British raid on Essex in 1814, the AWI’s Turtle, and a replica of the Onrust that first brought European explorers to the interior in 1614.
October 9, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Now some wonderful nautical history at the Connecticut River museum. The successful British raid on Essex in 1814, the AWI’s Turtle, and a replica of the Onrust that first brought European explorers to the interior in 1614.
A bit of FIW tourism today. Drove down the Lake Champlain/Lake George corridor, then visited Fort William Henry. A little cheesy (1950s reconstruction & museum mannequins), but still good to see & understand. And yes—I’m also playing AFAoS right now on Yucata.
October 8, 2025 at 12:44 AM
A bit of FIW tourism today. Drove down the Lake Champlain/Lake George corridor, then visited Fort William Henry. A little cheesy (1950s reconstruction & museum mannequins), but still good to see & understand. And yes—I’m also playing AFAoS right now on Yucata.
These were the “history games” I played in August. Arguably HotW is more euro and M44 is more wargame, but I think they both count. I love this in-between category.
September 3, 2025 at 2:37 AM
These were the “history games” I played in August. Arguably HotW is more euro and M44 is more wargame, but I think they both count. I love this in-between category.
I’ve got an adult kid moving to Germany for grad school soon. Figuring out how to find & sign a contract for an apartment is tricky. DM me if you’ve got experience or tips with this.
August 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I’ve got an adult kid moving to Germany for grad school soon. Figuring out how to find & sign a contract for an apartment is tricky. DM me if you’ve got experience or tips with this.
ATO “minigame” Assault on Narvik getting set up. Not sure about that fatigue tracking for each unit…
June 18, 2025 at 3:36 AM
ATO “minigame” Assault on Narvik getting set up. Not sure about that fatigue tracking for each unit…
I’d been setting up to try ATO’s mini game Assault
On Narvik when I learned a fan made map redone “in SPI style.” It looks so much better that I’m waiting to play until I can print it out. (I wish it had snowy mountains, but the green tones are an improvement over the original’s inexplicable reds).
On Narvik when I learned a fan made map redone “in SPI style.” It looks so much better that I’m waiting to play until I can print it out. (I wish it had snowy mountains, but the green tones are an improvement over the original’s inexplicable reds).
June 9, 2025 at 4:13 AM
I’d been setting up to try ATO’s mini game Assault
On Narvik when I learned a fan made map redone “in SPI style.” It looks so much better that I’m waiting to play until I can print it out. (I wish it had snowy mountains, but the green tones are an improvement over the original’s inexplicable reds).
On Narvik when I learned a fan made map redone “in SPI style.” It looks so much better that I’m waiting to play until I can print it out. (I wish it had snowy mountains, but the green tones are an improvement over the original’s inexplicable reds).
Five years ago I used some bonus money to treat myself to a 5year subscription to S&T Quartely, now almost up. No games in these, but an entire journal devoted to a specific topic, with a foldout map. Truthfully, they pile up at home, but I love the chance to dive into these when there’s time. 🌍🌏🌎📖
June 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Five years ago I used some bonus money to treat myself to a 5year subscription to S&T Quartely, now almost up. No games in these, but an entire journal devoted to a specific topic, with a foldout map. Truthfully, they pile up at home, but I love the chance to dive into these when there’s time. 🌍🌏🌎📖
There’s so much in @cfarrell317.bsky.social latest blog entry that I had to go past the Purple Haze and Pandemic-LotR stuff to get to what wanted—a critical look at the “history” in Pax Hispanica. Worth it.
open.substack.com/pub/chrisfar...
open.substack.com/pub/chrisfar...
May 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
There’s so much in @cfarrell317.bsky.social latest blog entry that I had to go past the Purple Haze and Pandemic-LotR stuff to get to what wanted—a critical look at the “history” in Pax Hispanica. Worth it.
open.substack.com/pub/chrisfar...
open.substack.com/pub/chrisfar...
May 13, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A nice morning cutting counters & watching @pushingcardboard.bsky.social ‘s Livestream YouTube episode
April 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A nice morning cutting counters & watching @pushingcardboard.bsky.social ‘s Livestream YouTube episode
Today’s the 85th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Norway. I tried Lou Coatney’s pnp wargame on the topic. Rules are short, but a bit tricky to parse. In this game, the Germans were NOT able to gain control.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...
April 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Today’s the 85th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Norway. I tried Lou Coatney’s pnp wargame on the topic. Rules are short, but a bit tricky to parse. In this game, the Germans were NOT able to gain control.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...
On @cfarrell317.bsky.social 's excellent blog, Illuminating Games (now at chrisfarrell317.substack.com), he recommended Real Time History on YouTube for its WW2 docs. This one about the 1940 Battle of Norway is just what I needed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_7O...
Battle of Norway 1940 (Documentary)
YouTube video by Real Time History
www.youtube.com
April 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
On @cfarrell317.bsky.social 's excellent blog, Illuminating Games (now at chrisfarrell317.substack.com), he recommended Real Time History on YouTube for its WW2 docs. This one about the 1940 Battle of Norway is just what I needed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_7O...
On #TDOV (last Monday), one of the points was showing who “we” are. I’ve got a transgender daughter. If 1% of the population is transgender, that’s small but IMPORTANT. They deserve kindness, respect, and rights. Their parents should support & band together. You probably know someone.
April 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
On #TDOV (last Monday), one of the points was showing who “we” are. I’ve got a transgender daughter. If 1% of the population is transgender, that’s small but IMPORTANT. They deserve kindness, respect, and rights. Their parents should support & band together. You probably know someone.
Next podcast topic is the Invasion of Norway 1940. As always, learning tons already when I didn’t know so much before. This series has been a good overview before later books, magazines, and wargames.
megaphone.link/ARML2095921269
megaphone.link/ARML2095921269
163: The Invasion of Norway Pt. 1 - The Altmark Incident by History of the Second World War
megaphone.link
April 2, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Next podcast topic is the Invasion of Norway 1940. As always, learning tons already when I didn’t know so much before. This series has been a good overview before later books, magazines, and wargames.
megaphone.link/ARML2095921269
megaphone.link/ARML2095921269
My podcast episode wrapping up the look at First Contact in Wargames is now posted. Features a discussion with @joebyer.bsky.social . The topic for the next episode will be Norway 1940.
WargamesToGo.com
WargamesToGo.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
My podcast episode wrapping up the look at First Contact in Wargames is now posted. Features a discussion with @joebyer.bsky.social . The topic for the next episode will be Norway 1940.
WargamesToGo.com
WargamesToGo.com
Ooh! This shoots to the top of my podcast queue. Just like a Minié ball!
March 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Ooh! This shoots to the top of my podcast queue. Just like a Minié ball!
Designer & tireless wargame booster @fredserval.bsky.social innovates yet again. When have we ever seen a designer self-criticize his own game? RFOP is a quick-but-deep wargame about a fascinating episode in world history. Bravo!
youtu.be/ESlo7R2v9sE
youtu.be/ESlo7R2v9sE
Red Flag Over Paris - An Attempt at Self-Criticism
YouTube video by Homo Ludens
youtu.be
March 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Designer & tireless wargame booster @fredserval.bsky.social innovates yet again. When have we ever seen a designer self-criticize his own game? RFOP is a quick-but-deep wargame about a fascinating episode in world history. Bravo!
youtu.be/ESlo7R2v9sE
youtu.be/ESlo7R2v9sE
I’ve appreciated the online marketplace buying & selling secondhand wargames, wherever it is. Over decades I’ve done everything from eBay to rec.games.board.marketplace to CSW to BGG to Facebook Marketplace. But now I’m leaving Facebook entirely. Where’s the next best place for buying & selling?
January 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I’ve appreciated the online marketplace buying & selling secondhand wargames, wherever it is. Over decades I’ve done everything from eBay to rec.games.board.marketplace to CSW to BGG to Facebook Marketplace. But now I’m leaving Facebook entirely. Where’s the next best place for buying & selling?
I’ve clearly bitten off more than I can chew with this “First Contact” topic for my podcast episode. Most of the games aren’t exactly about that, and the books keep coming. Now reading one about the Norse in Greenland and “Canada”
December 8, 2024 at 8:13 PM
I’ve clearly bitten off more than I can chew with this “First Contact” topic for my podcast episode. Most of the games aren’t exactly about that, and the books keep coming. Now reading one about the Norse in Greenland and “Canada”