About a month ago, I came across this pretty interesting looking project from the great mind of Dana Lombardy and Lombardy Studios with a reprint 2nd Edition of a famous game from years past. This project is One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition originally from Steve Jackson Games. I reached out to Dana and he was more than willing to share information about the project with us.
If you are interested in One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition – Special 80th Anniversary Edition, you can back the project on the Kickstarter game page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danalombardy/one-page-bulgetm-2nd-edition
Grant: Why have you embarked on a crowdfunding campaign to reprint the classic pocket wargame from Steve Jackson Games One-Page Bulge?
Dana: This past summer, I published several D-Day 80th anniversary items, including a hardcover book, an illustrated historical guide, two foldout posters, and a solitaire and 2-player board game called Bloody Omaha: D-Day Amphibious Assault – so this One-Page Bulge project is the second 80th anniversary project for 2024 and there will be at least be one more upcoming next year.
The D-Day project details can be found here:
The D-Day books, posters and game can be ordered here:
The current One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition Kickstarter video can be watched here:
Grant: What is the story behind the original One-Page Bulge game?
“One-Page Bulge owes its whole existence to a challenge.” – Steve Jackson
Dana: Steve was already a respected game designer in 1980 when Moves Magazine posited the question, “Would it be possible to get all the rules for a wargame … onto both sides of an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper?” Steve’s response was “Sure. Why not?” The result was a fun, challenging and easy-to-learn regimental-scale game based on solid historical research. (Note from SJ: And the challenge was a really meaningful one, because at the time, game rules were LONG. I had fun!)
Grant: Why do you think this game has been so well thought of over the past 40 years?
Dana: In both physical size and play length, it’s a memorable contrast to most WWII games, even today . . . And its mechanics are smooth, so it’s very replayable.
Grant: Why do you feel now is the time to bring this back?
Dana: 80th anniversary events of World War II will be getting attention in the media and hopefully boost attention to this classic wargame. In addition, the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest engagement fought by America in Europe and is as well-known as the D-Day invasion at Normandy.
Grant: What changes do you propose to make in the 2nd Edition?
Dana: One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition is now going through playtesting. The goal is to retain the simple, playable design of the original with state-of-the-art graphics and a few new components such as the Random Event Cards. Some of the changes are cosmetic, such as a mounted, color map board with large hexes to accommodate ¾-inch square unit counters, compared to the smaller counters and hexes of the original 1980 design. There will also be some new circular die-cut tokens that designate destroyed bridges, road blocks, etc., that should stand out from the square unit counters and therefore be readily visible. As they are approved, the artwork for these new features will be posted for feedback from backers and fans.
Grant: What other games have you worked on with Steve Jackson in the past?
Dana: When I published Game News Magazine back in the 1980’s I was an avid Car Wars fan and Steve gave me a cameo appearance in one of the supplements. I also helped with the development of Kamikaze, the game published with Fire & Movement #31 (December 1989). Steve and I are looking at a second edition of that game using state-of-the-art graphics for the 80th anniversary of the Battle for Okinawa (April-June 1945) where hundreds of Japanese planes threw themselves at American ships, including the debut of the Baka rocket-powered human-guided kamikaze aircraft.
Grant: What rules edits have you made to the game?
Dana: The only rule edit now being discussed is a clarification about attacking defending units on more than one hex adjacent to the attackers. That will be posted soon. The other rules to be added are for new components such as Random Event Cards, information tokens such as such as road blocks, and a revised Combat Results Table. All of art and rules for these will be posted as soon as possible to get feedback.
Grant: Why did you feel these changes were necessary?
Dana: The basic rules are still sound, and make for a fantastic and quick gaming experience but the new components require explanation. There will be numerous examples of play and a video that explains these changes.
Grant: I understand you are working closely with Steve on this new edition. How have you two cooperated?
Dana: Playtesting is currently on going and there is no specific division of labor. Whatever I suggest must be approved by Steve before it gets published. This is his design and I am working hard to be faithful to it and give him the deference he deserves with the new edition.
Grant: Who has been the artist involved in the art makeover and especially the new cover?
Dana; Tom Rubalcava is an illustrator and videographer/video editor I’ve worked with for several years. He has worn many hats, including Art Director, storyboard designer, graphic novelist, contributor to television and feature films, and more. Tom’s online portfolio is here: https://trubalcava.com/
For the counter art I am fortunate to have Dan Zillion, who also builds web pages for my LombardyStudios.com – including https://lombardystudios.com/one-page-bulge-2nd-edition/
The base map is now being finished by Philip Schwartzberg of Meridian Mapping, a professional cartographer who created many of the historical maps that appear in the books I’ve published. As soon as we are satisfied with the hex scale the map will be posted for feedback.
Grant: Can you share a few examples of the new Event Cards? How are these used in the game?
Dana: These are all Random Event Cards for situations that neither side had control of but that historically either happened or had a likelihood of happening. A change in the weather, for instance, can interfere with logistics, communications, and tactics. Some actual historical events will be included. Playtesting will show how many cards should be in the game and the exact wording.
Grant: What is the other part of the campaign in the Illustrated Story of the Battle of the Bulge?
Dana: The actual history of the battle in an illustrated graphic novel-like presentation is now under development. As with all the other art, we will post samples as soon as they are available. It will be similar to the Bloody Omaha graphic history published for the D-Day project: https://lombardystudios.com/the-big-red-one-on-d-day/
Grant: When do you feel the project will fulfill?
Dana: One-Page Bulge already exists, so finishing playtesting should not take as much time as a totally new wargame. It will be next year but will not be that far into 2025.
Grant: What other games are you considering bringing back for new editions?
Dana: In addition to Kamikaze with Steve Jackson, I have several second editions I hope to produce, including Dunkerque 1940 (1972), and Khalkhin-Gol (1973). NORAD 3rd Edition was recently published in the Japanese-language magazine Banzai (the rules are in English as well as Japanese) and I will have a web page for it soon.
If you are interested in One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition – Special 80th Anniversary Edition, you can back the project on the Kickstarter game page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danalombardy/one-page-bulgetm-2nd-edition
-Grant
The Players' Aid 