The Wargames Developments Autumn Virtual Gatherings (WDAVG) started during the lockdowns of 2020 and have persisted ever since. They aren't virtual gaming sessions per se (that is Virtual Conference of Wargamers), but presentations and discussions around gaming.
They aren't very photogenic I'm afraid, a couple of screenfuls of attendees on Zoom! The programme for this year is fairly typical, and they generally just last one Saturday afternoon/evening.
Programme - Saturday 19 October 2024:
1400 Welcome
1402 The Military History of Cyprus, Part Two: 1572 to 2024, a presentation by Alex Kleanthous.
1500 Break
1510 The Future of Designer’s Notes in Wargames, a forum moderated by Michael D'Alessandro with Thomas Danger (Danish Defence College), Graham Evans (Wargaming for Grownups) and Evan D’Alessandro (King’s College London).
1625 Break
1635 Combat Photography 1914-1975: Control and Revolution, a presentation by Terry Martin.
1750 Break
1800 Tetrarchs, Barbarians, Heretics and Eunuchs: Wargaming the Later Roman Empire 284-641 AD, a discussion led by John Bassett and David Bradbury.
1900 Supper Break
2015 'WATU, the real story”, a presentation by John Curry which might challenge the existing orthodoxy about the success of the WATU games.
2115 Formal close of AVG 2024
2130 From Kaiserschlacht to Khe Sanh, an after-hours historical lecture and singalong on 1918 and 1968 led by Jim Roche.
The main interactive session was the 1500 one, 'The Future of Designers Notes in Wargames' where we broke out into groups to discuss two main points - are designers notes necessary, and what format is most effective. I always enjoy the discussion sessions as I get to chat to people I don't normally see. We didn't come to any startling conclusions - yes, designers notes are useful, more useful in certain contexts, particularly professional games. Different people like things presented in different ways, but there did seem to be a more general preference for designers end notes and side notes, as they don't get (so much) in the way of actually reading the rules.
It is always a pleasant afternoon and something I look forward to each year. Long may they continue.
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