CSW is saddened to learn of the passing of a true legend in wargame design, Richard H. Berg. It would be a rare circumstance indeed if any of our members have not enjoyed countless hours of enjoyment playing a game designed by Richard Berg. He was a major force in the hobby and influenced many of today's designers. He is also, of course, a close friend to many and will be sorely missed.
I remember I met him and spoke briefly at Origins '78, in Ann Arbor. It was a panel for his War of the Ring game, and Howard Barasch was also there. I was between my sophomore and junior years in high school.
It seems like a lifetime ago, because it was...
He seemed like quite a character, and he designed some remarkable games.
I don't care to imagine where my hobby might be today without the genius of RHB and the craftsmanship he brought to tabletop games.
His designs were able to meld history and game play like no other. Sure, sometimes his rules left a bit to be desired...there are few designers who can write rules well enough to play the game without a competent developer. I cannot think of a game where it was said he got the history wrong.
Berg also advanced the craftsmanship of game design through his Berg's Review of Games publication and column. He may not have been diplomatic but his critiques were spot on I thought.
I was lucky to become his developer for his Great Battles of the American Civil War system (GBACW) through GMT unit he sold the system rights (did not know one could do that) about a year ago. My favorite memory of working with RHB occurred at the last Consimworld Expo he attended. A group was playing a GBACW game and one of the players wandered over to me with a game question (don't remember who or what the question was). My answer appeared unsatisfactory to him. Sensing something was up I watched him circle his way over to where RHB was sitting by himself prepping for a soon-to-start playtest. A minute or two later the gamer walked away still not pleased as evident in his body language. RHB looked over to where I was, caught my eye and yelled out "Hey John, we both gave him the same answer!" A moment one cannot make up.
Berg also advanced the craftsmanship of game design through his Berg's Review of Games publication and column. He may not have been diplomatic but his critiques were spot on I thought.
Are Richard Berg's Review of Games available online and/or as PDFs anywhere?
John Alsen says, "I cannot think of a game where it was said he got the history wrong."
Maybe his history wasn't exactly wrong but he didn't pursue Lion of the North, the application of GBOH to warfare in the age of Gustavus Adolphus, when Ben Hull's Musket and Pike Battle System appeared. I can't provide a quote or cite where it appeared but Mr. Berg acknowledged, in a perfectly gentlemanly and professional way, that Ben Hull had more accurately captured what was happening on those Thirty Years War battlefields. Classy, I thought.
My other favourite (off gaming table) Berg moment was listening to the audio tape included in Moments In History's A Famous Victory describing the subject and the game. Hilarious and informative, and if that isn't a worthy epitaph I don't know what is.
Thank You Richard Berg. Where ever you are I hope the food is good!
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