Patrick's Simulation Realities

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Hederer to talk about the long road from lifelong wargamer to published designer. Paul shares his background—from growing up in the U.S. and serving in the Air Force to building a life in Switzerland—along with how his professional work in leadership and communications coaching intersects with the way he thinks about clarity, structure, and decision-making in...

In this conversation, Patrick interviews Clem, a game designer known for his work on board games, particularly the Heroes of Normandy series. Clem shares his journey into game design, starting from childhood creations to professional projects. He discusses the evolution of Heroes of Normandy, the importance of storytelling in games, and the mechanics behind his new project, Operation Overlord. The...

In this episode, I sit down with veteran game designer Shayne Logan , creator of Old School Tactical and co-designer of Modern Tactics: Afghanistan . Shayne shares his journey from industrial work to full-time game design, his approach to creating tactical wargames, and how real-world asymmetrical warfare inspired this new series. We discuss the development process, scenario design, and what sets...

This conversation delves into the world of conflict simulation, particularly focusing on war games that depict the Battle of Normandy. The host and guest discuss various games that provide insights into the historical events of the Normandy invasion, emphasizing the importance of understanding the battlefield through these simulations. They explore different games, their mechanics, and how they re...

In this engaging conversation, Mike Lorino, a high school history teacher and board game designer, shares his journey into the world of board gaming and game design. He discusses his passion for history, the influence of war gaming clubs, and the development of his game, 'Imperial Elegy.' The conversation delves into game mechanics, playtesting experiences, and the challenges of balancing...

In this engaging conversation, Fred Serval shares his journey from a background in political science and data to becoming a prominent game designer in the historical gaming community. He discusses his experiences living in different countries, the importance of community and conventions in game design, and the challenges of balancing games statistically. Fred emphasizes the significance of histori...

In this episode, Patrick interviews Greg Kuryłowicz, a passionate game designer from Poland, who shares his journey in the world of war games, particularly focusing on his upcoming game 'In Fours to Heaven', which portrays the Poland 1939 campaign. Greg discusses his background, the evolution of war gaming in Poland, his favorite games, and the inspirations behind his design. He delves int...

In this episode, Patrick Gebhardt interviews Andoni Arriva, co-designer of the board game 'New Cold War'. They discuss Andoni's background, the inspiration behind the game, its mechanics, and the historical context it covers. The conversation also delves into the challenges of playtesting, language translation, and future projects related to the game.

In this inaugural episode of Patrick's Simulation Realities, host Patrick Gebhardt interviews game designer Yves Rettel, who shares his journey into the world of wargaming and game design. Yves discusses his early experiences with wargames, the development of his acclaimed game RedStrike, and the importance of community feedback in refining game mechanics. The conversation also touches on Yves' fu...