Jon-Paul’s Substack

Beyond Abstraction: Using Design Theory to Understand Tabletop Wargames

A deeper look two frameworks that help designers and hobbyists better understand how rules create experience in games. Also my humble attempt to make…

Jun 9 • 

5th Column Wargaming

The Art of Abstraction in Historical Wargame Design

This article explores the essential role of abstraction in the design of historical tabletop wargames, arguing that abstraction is not a compromise but…

Jun 1 • 

5th Column Wargaming

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April 2025

Thinking with Bayonets and Algorithms: Using AI to Design Historical Wargaming Scenarios

Introduction

Apr 4 • 

5th Column Wargaming

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March 2025

🔰 Collecting Napoleonic Armies by Campaign and Theatre: Pros and Cons

"Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less concerned about the latter than the former; space we can recover, lost time never." …

Mar 28 • 

5th Column Wargaming

Painting Miniatures as a Parent: Finding Time and Balance

Finding time to paint

Mar 21 • 

5th Column Wargaming

Getting Started in Napoleonic Wargaming Part 3: Collecting a 28mm Napoleonic Army: Planning, Building, and Enjoying the Journey

"The strength of an army lies not in the numbers of its soldiers, but in their unity of purpose and discipline." — Sun Tzu (paraphrased from The Art of…

Mar 14 • 

5th Column Wargaming

February 2025

Getting Started in Napoleonic Wargaming Pt2

Getting Started with a Napoleonic Wargaming Army: Choosing Scale, Game Size, and Models

Feb 28 • 

5th Column Wargaming

Getting Started in Napoleonic Wargaming

Overcoming the Challenge of Painting Historical Miniatures for Wargaming

Feb 18 • 

5th Column Wargaming

Coming soon

This is Jon-Paul’s Substack.

Feb 18 • 

5th Column Wargaming

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