Wow

[karohemd]

Look at this:

Is this the first tabletop wargame ever (made in 1812)? The inscription on the chest translates as "Tactical Wargame". The captions are in German but I think the pictures speak for themselves, it had terrain tiles, miniatures, counters, dice (it had a conflict resolution system not unlike that of modern wargames) and pretty much everything else you'd expect. Full article (in German). It was actually used as training tool for the Prussian military. Most remarkable is this bit: "Their legacy was a concept of playing games in fictitious worlds, using dice, paper and miniatures. This only became a hobby in the 20th century when authors created the first fantasy worlds."
Our hobby isn't as young as you might think! And for once, it wasn't the Chinese but the Germans who thought of it first. Take that, D&D! ;oP

ETA: English article on boardgamegeek
It turns out I'm actually ignorant and this is old news, you can even buy it in a modern version.
Still impressive, though.

Speaking of classic RPGs, "Das Schwarze Auge", the main (but not first) orginal German RPG, is 25.

Comments

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

That looks very interesting; I like how they have tiles to make a custom board!

I want to play :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Very modern game design, isn't it?

I'm not sure they would let us, even if we visited the collection where it's held. ;)

I can see the headline...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

"Gamers arrested for playing on priceless old boardgame."

Re: I can see the headline...

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Hehehe.

[derekct.livejournal.com]

Nice Table. I actually have the English version of the rules. Nice wargaming set for that period of time.

[simonsatori.livejournal.com]

The Napoleonic association often do demonstrations of 'Kriegs Spiel' games at Reenactments in a 'games tent'.

I've never seen the table though... wow!

[theoldcatlady.livejournal.com]

I think it's great that there is a modern version of the game! Thanks for sharing, I found this really interesting.

[matgb]

*cough* if it was invented in 1812, it wasn't the first wargame--Napoleon played some while training to be an artillery officer.

Yes, we did get a course in wargaming history as part of staff training back when I started with GW.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I never said that it was the first one (hence the question mark) but it was very similar to modern games in terms of conflict resolution system etc.

[matgb]

True, which is interesting, I don't actually know much about the system they used to train Napoleon (but I'm assuming it was fairly effective)

The first UK game that was sold as such was, IIRC, H G Wells's Battle, but I may be misremembering.

[hellgirl5.livejournal.com]

I am an avid gamer and LOVE this piece! There was something similar to it recently at a gaming convention in Columbus, a "gaming table" that featured recessed top, side compartments, etc for all your gaming needs. Very cool.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw photos of that. :)

Just a random question: Can I ask how you found me? We don't seem to have any mutual friends or communities.

[hellgirl5.livejournal.com]

I think I found you by clicking a picture of a penguin on livejournal? (I really liked the photo) Which led me to your page, which led me to the table. When I saw the dice I was pleasantly surprised!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Ah, thought as much. My 15 minutes of fame. :o)
Welcome. Sorry, I waffle a lot on here. ;o)

[monokung.livejournal.com]

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