AI AI Oh

 I had already appreciated that this new fangled Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help me with wargaming/history research and creating illustrations. As well as assisting me at work which is obviously why I have it. 

I got AI to help me plan a battlefield walk. And I had toyed with the idea of playing solo games with an AI opponent. Then I read an article in the latest Miniature Wargames mag about using AI in wargaming. It was the author’s lack of expertise combined with his success that made me think that I need to use this powerful tool more!

For the recent Vapnartak show I put on a participation game based on the final naval battle of the Boshin War in Japan. I’d already laminated illustrations and written a “handout” for folk to photograph as is the modern way. As it could be considered an obscure conflict I decided to use AI to create more information for people to read. 

I asked the AI to adopt the persona of a military historian with an interest in the Boshin War. The AI scours the internet for everything it can find on the subject and places its new expertise at your disposal. Off we went.

AI’s attempts to create a map of the battle were farcical! It was all wrong geographically and showed movement of ships over land for pity’s sake. I tried a few different ways of prompting what I wanted, but to no avail. I gave up on that. 

Instead I asked the AI to create a summary of the naval aspect of the war. This it did very well. I added illustrations to the text it created and laminated it. With that I had a nice reference for people to read and for me to wave around as I explained the game and the war. 

The AI offered a few more ideas. Asking whether I wanted this, that or the other. I took it up on its offer to create pieces of fiction as though written as firsthand accounts by participants on both sides. These were pretty good. A couple of errors were easy to spot. It’s very true that you need to review and edit what AI creates. Again I added illustrations for interest. You could of course ask the AI to do this. 

My mate Glen and I had a game in mind and Glen came up with the general idea for a scenario. He was surprised when I said I’d get AI to write the scenario for us. 

I gave the AI the basic ideas Glen had for the scenario, along with the website address for the rules we’d be using and asked it to take on the persona of a wargamer and a Whovian! (Sorry serious wargamers!)

The scenario it came up with needed a few iterations of prompting and pointing out that what the AI had created wasn’t how the rules worked, but we got there in the end. Again I added illustrations for interest. 

And the game played well. The mishap table which was the AI’s creation, tweaked by me, rather than something in the Doctor Who Miniatures Game rules, was very entertaining as The Doctor fluffed examining a frozen Tomb Cyberman…   

Giving the Cybermen intruders time to overpower the crew and break into the med lab just as The Doctor was on the verge of success. 

Since I can point the AI at the DWMG rules on the internet, I can get it to draft future Doctor Who scenarios for us. I can even ask it to reference episodes of the tv show. 

Asking the AI to take on the persona of a wargamer and expert on any aspect of military history you choose, you can get it to create scenarios or even campaigns without reference to any particular set of rules. It’s far more than a search engine. Powerful stuff this AI and not something to cause us to hide behind the sofa…

Thanks for reading!

The old Roman road.E.C.W. 1644.

Last night we had a terrific game using my 25mm E.C.W. war figures.Andy and Dave were the Royalists,whilst Brian,Graham and I were the Parliamentarians..................

Top photo is the scenario,bottom shows the initial troop dispositions-Royalists on the left.

The battle begins-our plan was just to attack the defences,whilst holding the flanks with our cavalry-what could possibly go wrong??-Dave and Andy look grim(!)

Action all the way-fire-fights, melees and cavalry charges-proper stuff!

This is Brian and Andy's flank-their cavalry battles went on the whole game,nip and tuck at every turn,in the background you can see Brian's Dragoons about to be ridden down by Andy's "Lobsters"

Dave and I were having our own little battle-twice he put his Brigadiers into a melee to stabilise the fight,only to get them both killed!!!-this caused the defence to collapse(you can see my "Lobsters" advancing to take advantage of the situation)-but what of the central fight?

Despite being cannistered and shot at from behind the defences,Graham did manage to breach the barricade,but then was repulsed by fresh troops! isn't war hell?? after losing all his infantry he then fell back on his guns to assist Brian who was just holding his own(steady!) by this time it was just about certain that the Royalsts couldn't hold onto their position,but Andy and Brian still had fresh troops and fought on!!

"Lobsters" shooting at a defensive knot of white coats,before taking on Dave's last cavalry regiment-he actually put the King(yes the King!) in charge of them but to no avail.We all agreed that the Royalists should retire(it's good being retired!) and the Parliamentarians declared the winners-hurrah!

This was a good game enjoyed by all-roll on next week-something very strange but maybe feasible could be on the table-we'll see!

 

Battle of "Kalistra River" 218BC.

I have been trying out my new armies(aren't Elephants a bugger?) and had this very interesting battle/game.Both Roman and Carthaginians are approaching the river Kalistra,hoping to force a crossing-the photo's tell the story.................

 Bottom photo shows the terrain,before that the two armies facing each other!

Top photo shows "nearly there!" bottom shows the first clash,both sides suffered casualties from pilum and impetus.

Bloody Elephants!!!!

Top photo shows both first lines retiring(it's good being retired!) to reform behind the second line. Middle photo shows the second lines engaging-a real dice tussle followed... bottom photo shows the Romans breaking the Carthaginian line,so all was lost,and the Romans claimed a well deserved victory.

We will be playing tonight(Sunday 9th)-an English Civil War game-report will follow!

Back!

I haven't been too well lately,but it has given me the chance to do some painting,ie Republican Romans and Carthaginians in 15mm for my solo games.................

The figures are,Roman,Irregular and Lancashire Games,the Carthaginians are Lancashire Games only. With over 200 figures per side,plus Elephants and Cavalry,it was an arduous task,but it kept me sane(?) for a couple of weeks!!

A few more shots showing the collection-my painting technique is very simple-bash the colours on,varnish(gloss) and get them on the board!

Top photo shows my ever growing collection of 15mm figures bottom photo shows the Republican Romans and Carthaginians about to "get to it"

Now that I'm almost at peak fitness,and have eventually "cracked" how to get photo's onto the computer,I will endeavour to get the blog up and running again.

Border Reiver Show 2025

The Battle of the Metaurus River 207 BC

Hannibal was awaiting re-enforcements to bolster his army currently in southern Italy. 

He was faced by the legions of Gaius Claudius Nero. 

His brother Hasdrubal had assembled an army and followed in Hannibal's footsteps

 and marched across the Alpine passes heading southwards alone the eastern coastline.

Consul Marcus Livius, accompanied by Praetor Lucius Porcius Licinus

was attempting to prevent Hasdrubal joining with his brother.

Nero had deceived the master of deception, Hannibal and force marched 7000 men north.

They crept into the camp of Livius prior to the day of battle.

Morning trumpets heralded the awakening of the legions. 

Two blasts loudly announced the presence of both generals in the field! How so ?

Would the gods reward the Roman General's intrepid ruse? 

All will be revealed.

                                       

Our game display

A wonderful replica of a gladius sword, originally of Iberian origin !

Nero's Legion in the background facing off the

 Gallic left of Hasdrubal's army on top of a rugged ridge. 

The River Metaurus on the left bounded this part of the battlefield

       

The center of the Carthaginian line with 

elephants and light infantry in the front line.

Gallic warriors support in the second line

 with dependable Spaniards in the third line.

Opposite the Carthaginian center were the legionaries of Livius

Hasdrubal's right was composed of African veterans and Iberian warriors.

The open flank was guarded by Numidian light cavalry who

 were greatly outnumbered by their opposing Roman cavalry.

Our game had just under 2000 figures. 

The battle commenced with both lines eager to engage.

All except the gallic left flank of Hasdrubal ! Tired, drunk of just disinterested ?

They held their position atop a ridge which was perfectly secured

 to its front by ravines and broken ground. Why engage lower down the slopes ?

Wiley Nero wasn't going to bash his head against such a strong position though.

Screening the ravine, he again forced marched his men on a 

route that would end up as a decisive war winning move. 

Behind the confusion of the engaged battlelines, legions

 against the mighty Carthaginian war elephants, 

fearsome African spearmen and Iberian warriors.

He lead them ever off to the left wing of the army.

... and what of the outnumbered Numidian cavalry screen ?

brave but overwhelmed, they bought a heavy price

 for the ground but they retired and fled the field.

Which left the troops of Gaius Nero the open flank !

Unopposed, the legions flanked the lines of Hasdrubal's infantry.

A great show, we really enjoyed meeting lots of show friends !

Thank you to the organisers again and a big shout out to

 those ladies who kept the hoards fed with delicious pies, sandwiches and cakes.

This game is the first of our trilogy of Punic War games. 

Catch us at Battleground Show at Middlesbrough 29th November then Carronade, Falkirk next May.

Romans and Carthaginians.

Last night the "fab four" (Paul,Graham,Brian and Myself) had this great game-Paul and Brian were the Carthaginian Generals,whilst Graham and I commanded(?) the Romans. 

The table layout-Romans to the left-already in three lines-two Legions!

Brian is furiously writing orders as his first line of Gauls and Elephants clash with Graham's Hastati!!

My legion takes a more sedate approach to Paul's waiting line of Spaniards and Elephants-the hill  proved to be a bit of a problem to me as Paul's use of his three units of Numidian cavalry was wonderful to watch(but not to be on the pointy end of!)

Both legions' Hastati are being torn apart by the combination of Elephants and wild Gauls! better send in the Princepes-a quick exchange of lines,and off we go!!

My hill is occupied by the enemy-oh dear!! meanwhile Brian's Spaniards,supported by some African spearmen,are making mince meat of Graham's Princepes! -oh dear again!!-looks good though.

My Princepes aren't doing so well against Paul's Spanish either!

Bloody Elephants!!!

My cavalry are retiring(it's good being retired!) leaving my Legion's flank totally exposed-all is lost!

Paul surveys the battle field-it has come down to the Roman Triarii-ie a defeat!!-this was a good game,we tried a couple of new Elephant rules which worked well(meaning they didn't dominate and spoil the game,as in previous games!) well done to us all,looking forward to next Sunday!