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Spotlight Articles

Outstanding articles that are not necessarily linked to one particular game, but may have broad appeal to gamers.

Epic Revolution (AWI)

Spotlight Article Graphic

"Another instalment in Warlord Games’ Epic series has just been released..."! Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, checks out the latest figures/ruleset package in this series. "... a lot of work has gone into this rule set to make it AWI specific - well done that team."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/30/2025


War reaches northern Italy, 215 BC

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"Hannibal has come over the Alps..."! Prufrock and his friend Ian P bring us an intense Punic War clash that doesn't look too promising for the Romans, when they "...win the first move and mostly freeze."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/26/2025


Interview with Robert Phaneuf Designer of Secession 1861: The American Civil War and The Armada from Fortress Games Currently on Kickstarter

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"...there are few more fertile areas for educational, simulation-ai gaming." Grant Kleinhenz, in The Players' Aid, interviews designer Bob Phaneuf about his two upcoming games. See why he thinks that "...Secession 1861 will mature as a classic solitaire nail-biter."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/18/2025


Battles of Heraclea Lyncestis, 219 BC and Emporiae, 218 BC (Med Campaign 9)

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"Reports are in of a battle in northern Macedon between the invading Illyrians and a force scrambled together to meet them...". Prufrock continues with two more nicely photographed AARs in the ongoing Med Campaign! "...in Nearer Spain, Proconsul Aaronius Dubius Scipio Calvus, having landed a force near Emporiae, was engaged by an alliance of indomitable Iberian tribes...".

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/9/2025


My pre-orders analysis – what is new and coming!

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Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, covers his current game preorders, and why he is anxiously awaiting them. See which game has him commenting that "...we are getting so many new elements – from graphical representation, to add-ons and optional rules – that this it will be a great, refreshing comeback to fantastic classic!"

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/6/2025


My Top Solitaire Wargames: New Designs and All-Time Classics

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Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, reveals his favorite recent and all time solitaire classics. Check out the game he describes as "...probably the best small units combat simulation ever created, which has fantastic planning phase and unfolds completely differently each time.", and the one that challenges you to "...harness a brilliant mind, titanic energies, and a sometimes terrifying charisma to leave your mark on history?"

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/4/2025


Soviet 12mm WWII Pocket Army

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"My second WWII Pocket Army is now complete..."! Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, brings us a Pocket Army update pictorial.

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 5/26/2025


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Gaming Conventions

Gaming Conventions

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Grognard Originals

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Malaya (v2.5) War Game Review

Pat La Pella reviews this post-card sized game and its computer editions. Can the UK Commonwealth prevent the Japanese from occupying Singapore in 1941?

Malaya Player Aid (pdf)

Pat La Pella created this player aid to clarify special movement rules for the Japanese player for Amphibious Movement and Reinforcement beach landing hexes. Computer versions of the game show eligible hexes automatically when the Japanese player selects a unit for movement.

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A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z '-9

Game: Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea



(a10033)
 
 




Publisher: GMT Games
Game Type: Board
Designer(s): Christopher Vorder Bruegge, Mark McLaughlin
Search for this and related games with Noble Knight


Description:


Build great Wonders to glorify a peaceful, thriving, commercial empire - or sack cities and conquer new lands as you spread your domain across the waters and around the shores of the Inner Sea. Start from humble beginnings in isolated settlements at the dawn of the Bronze Age or leap ahead to scenarios that put you in charge of the mighty civilizations of Troy, Egypt, Carthage, Mycenae, Minos, Phoenicia, Rome and the Celts as they contend for supremacy and survival in numerous historical environments.


Articles


Article ID
Pub Date
Article Description
Source
23
Date: 11/8/2020
Poster: Harvey M.
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – “Darius III” scenario

The Boardgames Chronicle brings us a replay of the Darius III scenario of Ancient Civilizations of the Inner-Sea published by GMT Games. "What a crazy game! A lot of things happened, the AI was pretty challenging, razing and burning my cities. Still, a well-prepared attack on the Greek mainland and lucky card-draw caused Alexander to stop his conquest and return home to pacify the situation. The game was won by my, the Asia minor was anyhow lost to Greeks. Really funny game!"
Web Link
22
Date: 4/24/2020
Poster: Harvey M.
3500 YEARS OF HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! – GMT’s ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS OF THE INNER SEA Board Game Review

Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea is a huge sandbox of a game published by GMT Games that allows the players to relive over 3500 years of history of the kingdoms and empires found around the Mediterranean from 3000 BC to 500 AD.! Rick Martin reviews reporting for the Armchair General says,"I just have to say that I love this game. It is a work of functional art! It belongs on the shelf and gaming table of every gamer interested in the ancient world."
Web Link
21
Date: 4/21/2020
Poster: Harvey M.
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – Alexander the Great scenario

In these days of the Pandemic, solo board gaming has become paramount. The Boardgames Chronicle brings us the Alexander scenario played solitaire from Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea published by GMT games.
Web Link
20
Date: 4/5/2020
Poster: Harvey M.
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – Greeks & Persians scenario

I haven't tried this GMT Games offering yet but Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea seems to be a very popular game right now. The Boardgames Chronicle replays for us the Greeks & Persians scenario.
Web Link
19
Date: 2/24/2020
Poster: Harvey M.
Learning Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea

The Boardgames Chronicle gives us replays of some of the scenarios of GMT's Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea testing out some of the "bots" in the process.
Web Link
18
Date: 12/6/2019
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea from GMT Games – Action Point 4

"For those of you that hate dice, or rather that the dice hate you, you will be pleased to find out that no dice are used in the conflict resolution." Grant Kleinhenz, in the Player's Aid blog, continues an in-depth look at GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. See why Grant likes the resolution system, and why he offers the tip: "…Carthage has some very useful special abilities."
Web Link
17
Date: 10/31/2019
Poster: Harvey M.
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea from GMT Games – Action Point 1 The Growth Phase

Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea from GMT has quite "The Buzz" currently and Grant at The Player's Aid starts a series of articles on one important aspect of the game, The Growth Phase,
Web Link
16
Date: 10/30/2019
Poster: Doug Holt
Any Fool Can Build an Empire – It Takes a Great Ruler to Keep It

How about a game that "…is MORE than just another Civilization BUILDING game – it is a Civilization SURVIVAL game …"? Designer Mark McLaughlin has some entertaining comments on the fun in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Playability is enhanced by how he's built technology into the game system, or as Mark puts it, "Why spend your precious game time researching pottery when you can defend an empire?"
Web Link
15
Date: 9/29/2019
Poster: Mark D.
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea Unboxing

Unboxing video by Moe's Game Table.
Web Link
14
Date: 5/24/2019
Poster: Doug Holt
A Game of the Ages for All Ages: Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea at Huzzah! Convention in Maine

"…somehow, someone in their lower ranks got their lines crossed…". Designer Mark McLaughlin narrates an entertaining replay of his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. With a surprise conclusion as well: "Like Sea Biscuit, he came from behind, raced right through the pack – and won by a nose."
Web Link
13
Date: 5/21/2018
Poster: Doug Holt
It’s All in the Cards: The Cards of Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea (Part 1)

So which event card is worse, Millennial Earthquakes or Black Death? Designer Christopher Vorder Bruegge discusses the role of Natural Event cards in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. As Christopher tartly points out, "Earthquakes are especially useful for reducing an opponent’s cities and thus victory points…"!
Web Link
12
Date: 12/8/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Minoans

Want to play a civilization that is "…envied as much for its wealth as it was respected for its command of the seas."? Designer Mark McLaughlin covers the advantages of the Minoans in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Can't hurt that the "...Minoans are the only true sea power..." in the game!
Web Link
11
Date: 11/20/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Trojans

Want an advantage in the game? Then play a civilization that is "…unique in that it has a near inviolable base in its home area.…"! Designer Mark McLaughlin sets out Trojan advantages in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Sounds like a great set up "…unless, of course, that damned wooden horse is left before their walls…"
Web Link
10
Date: 11/6/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Phoenicians

Want to play "…plucky sailors and canny merchants…"? Designer Mark McLaughlin shows off the primarily nautical advantages of the Phoenicians in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. They can, of course, enter Deep-Sea Areas; but what is their "…second nautical boon…"?
Web Link
9
Date: 10/30/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Celt-Iberians

"Tucked away on the western edge of the board, the Celt-Iberians usually, at least at first, only need to worry about two neighbors..." Designer Mark McLaughlin introduces Celt-Iberia (a region of modern Spain) and its place in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Not only do they benefit from isolation, but also from wealth in the form of "…Talents [which] can prove very useful to ward off disasters…"
Web Link
8
Date: 10/23/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Egyptians

Egypt "...is a power to be carefully watched and reckoned with." Designer Mark McLaughlin considers the place of the kingdom of the pharaohs in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Strong indeed, but Phoenicia and Minos "…can hem Egypt in to its corner of the map."!
Web Link
7
Date: 10/18/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Gauls

"The Gauls have a strong starting position in the game." Designer Mark McLaughlin turns to a discussion of the Gauls in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Does this mean it's good to be the Gauls? Perhaps so, since Mark points out that they possess "…a unique advantage…"
Web Link
6
Date: 10/9/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea: Meet the Carthaginians

"Carthage can use its military advantages for conquest – or to warn foes away." Designer Mark McLaughlin lays out the strengths of the Carthaginians in his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. You play a well-balanced power, but if you mishandle things, your opponents can say "Carthago Delenda Est"!
Web Link
5
Date: 7/21/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – July Development Update

"This is a rare game that can be played either as a wargame or a non-militaristic competitive game of civilization building..." Designer Mark McLaughlin covers some of the fine tuning going on with his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea, as the game closes in on production. Part of the focus seems to be adding more fun: "Having more Civilizations means more possible ways to play the game, more possible match-ups and, of course, more scenarios."
Web Link
4
Date: 6/19/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Solitaire Play of Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – Greeks vs Persians: An AAR (Part 1)

"...they can hear the cadence of a vast multitude of sandal shod feet just beyond sight." Designer Christopher Vorder Bruegge playtests a solitaire version of the special Greeks and Persians scenario of his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Is the scenario balanced, or have they "…inadvertently created a kind of Frankenstein, all too powerful Greek-killing machine…"?
Web Link
3
Date: 6/5/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Solitaire Play of The God-King of Egypt (Part 2)

"Woe to the Land of the Nile!" Christopher Vorder Bruegge continues a rousing replay of GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea, using Mark McLaughlin's solitaire system, which he finds to be "…efficiently malignant and challenging to play against"!
Web Link
2
Date: 4/14/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
Solitaire Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea (Part 1 of 2)

"The Mycenaeans can be tough customers indeed!" Designer Mark McLaughlin walks us through a solitaire scenario of his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Mark points out that solitaire play is "an intrinsic part of the design", so get ready for some "Competition"!
Web Link
1
Date: 2/8/2017
Poster: Doug Holt
“It’s a Cruel, Cruel World!” – A Replay of a Three-Player Game of Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea

"Pharaoh held on, if barely." Designer Mark McLaughlin recounts a rollicking game of his GMT Games' Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea. Rather than take a "nice guy" tack, the players chose to "...unleash hell on each other"!
Web Link