Matrix Games Forums

“Storming the Gap” and its supplements are a series of tabletop wargames by Lock n’ Load detailing a Cold War gone hot in 1985. The scale is platoon level with some truly big scenarios.

I don’t have them because they are fast and fun but lack detail (I’m a “MBT/Panzer” guy). Hoverer, out of curiosity, I bought the novels that accompany them (7 Euro on Kindle) and - lo! - the author says that he used Armored Brigade to re-enact some of the clashes described in the book. Apparently StG was used for the overall situation, with AB as the reference when things went “down in the weeds”.

I’m not a writer, but I would have used “Steel,Beasts Pro” too for what is happening inside tanks and APCs. Anyway, if you are curios to read “AB - the Novel” you will recognize many game situations. The author is not Tom Clancy (by far..) but the pace is brisk and the story is fun.

Sort of interesting situation. Does the author avoid the gamplay artifacts from AB? Like for example just the situational awareness and communication - instantly knowing what all units see, no friendly fire, all units getting info about enemy, etc. in the game distorts the action a lot.

There are some things I learned from the game. For example when people were hyping up Ukraine getting modern tanks and I just remembered what extensive minefields and artillery can do to armoured attacks.

But I sort of find it hard to imagine translating the battles to novels. Like there are so much things that are simply different from reality. Starting with limitations of AI and ending with limitations of C3 representation.

I posted a scenario based on one of the battles in this book a couple of years ago.

Defense of the Bridge at Eichhoffsseidlung, just west of Bad Hersfeld.

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