War With A Mate

Join Andy and James, a year after obtaining SPI’s The Campaign For North Africa and beginning this ridiculous debacle, as they discuss what the plan was and what the plan became. War With A Mate is supporting Movember this year, with James sporting a truly embarrassing excuse of a moustache. For those that can give to a valuable charity, it would mean the world (plus if we hit £1,000 James will ge...

Turn Two is over. One third of the practice run is officially done. Andy wrestles with the reality of James mastering his truck supplies, while James needs to prepare for an upcoming devastating fate destined for one of his units. Who has initiative for Turn Three? How is the weather looking? Who put the magic in the ceiling? All this and more, wrapped up in an audio file for YOUR listening pleasu...

Get your butcher knives, demon summoning puzzles and scary masks to hand - the guys are getting spooky! A terrifyingly important series of moves take place in the final movement phase of Turn Two, and a new history segment sews existential dread at the concept of what could be history repeating itself. A Common Ground segment and musings throughout this week’s episode really touch on the scariest...

The air stuff isn’t always fun isn’t it? Though I suppose that depends on what happens to you during it. The guys fly through (air pun) the final air segment of Turn Two, with undeniably better understanding of the rules, as shown by their efficiency. The Mailbag certifies Andy as a political savant, while this week’s Common Ground certifies James as small and vain man. A long awaited arrival fina...

And there goes Operation Stage Two, of Turn Two! More aggressive and conniving action by James sets up the Axis forces for a fierce beginning to Turn Three, as Andy’s prayers to the weather gods are left unanswered. ABC’s tenure in the history segment comes to a close, and discussions arise from the mailbag around employment, game reinforcements and the adrenaline rush of spreadsheets - and a Comm...

And there goes Operation Stage Two, of Turn Two! More aggressive and conniving action by James sets up the Axis forces for a fierce beginning to Turn Three, as Andy’s prayers to the weather gods are left unanswered. ABC’s tenure in the history segment comes to a close, and discussions arise from the mailbag around employment, game reinforcements and the adrenaline rush of spreadsheets - and a Comm...

Wow, look at James being ambitious! A huge Eastern push shows he has the moves it takes to make the push, while Andy is busy posturing about his grand air tactics for the next turn. The 4th CCNN and 7th Armoured finally part ways, and a mystery celebrity guest makes an appearance! ABC has a much more successful war effort than the guys in the history segment, and Common Ground looks to a future wh...

The guys mount up for the Close Assault portion of Turn 2.2, with all signs pointing towards an imminent conclusion to the conflict between the 7th and 4th at long last. An episode that sees the guys touch on hubris across the board, whether that’s on the part of Sony, fledgling Admirals, or simply Andy at a bus stop.

They’ve flown to the skies, they’ve crossed the seas - they’ve had a significant technical hiccup. What can’t the guys say they didn’t do this week? James’ air mastery comes into question while Andy turns his eye to devastating the 4th CCNN. The longest telegram to date is received jam-packed with questions, in this, the longest (and latest) episode to date! We hear more of ABC’s nautical adventur...

A game-changing movement phase occurs due to the revelation that James has inadvertently squirrelled away additional divisions for the whole of play so far - now on the to Andy’s Eastern territories. That’s not all that’s in danger, in an episode reviewing electrical dangers, airborne catastrophe and the risk of learning some valuable history in a new series of Andy’s History Corner.

Oh dear, was it all for nothing? A gruelling run of Close Assault and Truck Captures in Turn 2-1 has left the guys feeling cheated out of their own time, and long dormant rules-rage rears its ugly head as the frontlines and by proxy, rule reviews, are getting busier. Spirits are still high however! An episode that looks at the first War With A Mate field trip (relating to confusing stone monuments...

Look to the skies! And then to a calm, quiet space. James has released unbridled rage upon Andy following unexpected strategic shifts at the end of a particularly ambitious air mission segment. Important questions are asked, such as the future of global sporting, the marketing behind CfNA and the state of the guys’ hair.

The starting pistol for Turn Two has been fired! The guys are off, with initiative determined, weather rolled for and the fate of James' Naval Convoy is sealed by a daring mission by Andy's Commonwealth airforce. What's on offer this week is a taste-sensation of former flash games, fascist faux pas and two feverishly fun fellows. It's here, it's now - it's one of the episodes of this podcast.

The guys are joined by Nate of Breakup Gaming Society as a pleasant change of pace at the end of Turn One. Touching on the ambitions of “artists”, the state of board games in the cultural zeitgeist and the existential question of when we should care about funerals. Stay SHB & D. Special thanks to Nate for beaming himself over to us via internet from shores afar this week. Check out Breakup Gam...

After mishaps, mistakes and (and occasional friendly malice), Turn One finally comes to an end. The guys are feeling bulletproof, with one turn under their belt, and no underlying health conditions, finishing the game looks like a possibility in this lifetime. To see off this first portion, they discuss upcoming strategies, delve into the mailbag to understand more about the English Language and t...

Twists and turns at Fort Maddalena and a massacre in the South shakes up the imminent conclusion to Turn One. A fresh new history segment topic sees the focus shift to a rather unsavoury fellow and common ground has the guys looking to the stars.

The situation in Fort Maddalena heats up further as the guys close out their air missions and James begins angling for the impending close assault. This week’s history segment sees a poignant farewell to the 28th Māori Battalion, closing out another topic. With a sleepy Andy at the wheel and an admin-heavy session, the guys take the time to right some wrongs, from the state of live music performan...

The resolution of air missions over Fort Maddelenna leaves more questions than answers when it comes to the next steps of engagement, with both sides reeling from strikes. The guys traverse a time-trials episode by reminiscing on icons passed; some modern, some Māori. All this before settling on a Common Ground that sees the world living the quiet life - wouldn’t that be nice?

Breakdowns, bayonets and battle planning. The guys wave goodbye to Operation Stage 2 and buckle up for the final Operation Stage of Turn One. All eyes are on the centre of the map for the upcoming engagement that is set to end the turn. The mailbag sheds new light on the Heathcliff mystery and the alternative roles within the game. Stick around to the end if YOU are a rental tenant in need of some...

Tactical cunning is in the air, and Andy has been breathing in an unhealthy level of it, call a doctor, quick! Upon their return from the War With A Mate company retreat, the guys are tackling the twilight portions of Operation Stage 2. Combat comes to a tense halt, with truck movement on the horizon. Another Māori centric history segment vows to showcase some of the most intimidating folks in the...

Decisive assault in Operation Stage Two has left James reeling from some very heavy losses on the ground, leaving Andy braced for what could be a disproportionate response. Looking at some of the more formidable units in the history segment, Andy treats us to some information on the 28th Māori Battalion. An episode that…wait, what is this? Who did this?!

Batten down the hatches friends, it’s time for the guys to unfurl the battle plans and look at the current state of play. Quite the different approach this week as Andy and James reflect on 100 days of playing The Campaign For North Africa, what they’ve experienced and what the future holds.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s actually 48 planes to be precise, and they’re blowing each other out of the sky! Andy and James tackle their first bit of air combat as James’ bombing run hangs on the line. Amongst this high octane action, we also travel back in time to the conclusive history segment focused on the Long Range Desert Group.

We have liftoff! The planes are finally in the air, and making an impact! Look at them go, glorious flight. From up here, the guys can get a good view of meaty history segment about the Long Range Desert Group's activities, some mail that walks the line between praise and penalising, as well as a Common Ground segment that is primed to save British entertainment.

It’s official - the first Operation Stage (of 351 admittedly) is finally OVER. The guys make steady progress with the second Op Stage, and begin ramping up the realisation that this is a competitive game. A radically changed landscape for the second Op Stage spells trouble. What is the weather? Who goes first? And most importantly, do you remember when Olly Murs wore a hat?