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In 1964, historian Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mitchell published a compact book, Twenty Decisive Battles of the World, an expansion of Sir Edward Creasy's most famous work from a hundred years past, updating it into the 20th Century.

Turning Point Simulations (TPS), a division of LPS Inc, examines these 20 battles with a new series of boxed wargames. These games emphasize accessibility and playability, and come with hard-mounted maps and mounted, die-cut counters. Each battle is presented in a design of low complexity, but high challenge, from some of the industry's top designers.

And be sure to check out our sister publication Against the Odds!

While TPS games focus on the decisive battles across time, Against the Odds magazine investigates all of military history from a broad perspective. The economic, political, religious and social aspects of warfare are examined in concert with events on the battlefield. Get yourself truly "connected" with games and gaming by subscribing to Against the Odds! Learn more...

Spring 2012 Newsletter from Turning Point/Against the Odds

View History with two Chucks, a Joan and a Joe, and then remember the “Dash.”

Lots of news going on, along with a special offer to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of one of the most remarkable (and seldom mentioned) episodes of the early years of WW2.

TPS - Now Open for Business

Our newest company, Turning Point Simulations, is now releasing the First Four games of our “20 Decisive Battles” series. Yes, we are taking every chapter of Mitchell/Creasy military history classic and turning them into an exciting game. We will release 4 games each year to achieve all 20, plus a special 21st game, only available to those who collect the entire series.

Rather than release the games in exact chronological order, we’ve thought it more interesting to mix things up a bit. The first four games feature actions from Charles Martel, Charles XII, Joan of Arc, and the campaign for Stalingrad. (“Two Chucks, a Joan, and a Joe!”)

You’ve been able to look at the TPS games on-line for quite a while, but now, with the game parts at the printers and being manufactured, the website is fully turned on and accepting orders! So visit the TPS homepage for details and a “honeymoon” offer that’s really sweet. (Try all four games at one low price, with an option to buy-in to the entire series after you’ve spent time with them…a honeymoon deal indeed!). 

Pictured below are the map and counters to Poltava's Dread Day. Check out the other TPS games and components on-line at our website.

Aside from TPS, you have much to choose from!

Coming Very Soon from Against the Odds

Our next Annual is will being mailing soon. “Beyond Waterloo” takes a broader look at Napoleon’s “100 Days” than anyone has ever tried before.
 
All of France and adjoining areas are there, as two players wrestle with the future of Europe. It’s even possible that the battle at Waterloo will never happen! You decide!

ATO #35 is also due very soon, visiting Boudicca’s revolt. Boudicca: The Warrior Queen represents a full upgrade of the “Druid” game Richard Berg designed for West End over 25 years ago. Along with great counters and map art (including the period road net and location of tribal centers), you’ll find streamlined mechanics, more involved possibilities and “what ifs?”, and a game driven by card play, somewhat like that used for “Hammer of the Scots.”

Boudicca is followed by games covering WW2 Burma, the Russian Revolution, and WW1 East Africa. It’s a great time to subscribe or re-up (and make a DASH for a cool Pocket Battle Game too.)

And not to forget the past – all subscribers should have received their copies of ATO #34 with Right Fierce & Terrible inside by now. If you didn’t, please write admin@atomagazine.com and we’ll investigate where it might be.

Now what about that DASH?

Some may say, the investment Nazi Germany made in surface ships was a gross misplacement of resources. But things like the hunt for the Bismarck certainly made for interesting stories, didn’t they?

One of the most interesting happened on Feb. 11th, 1942, when, complying with an order from Hitler the navy did not much care for, Vice Admiral Otto Ciliax led some of Germany’s most powerful naval units on a daring run… right up the English Channel. It sounds like madness, and in fact, was so unexpected, they got away with it!

An editorial in The Times of London read:

"Vice Admiral Ciliax has succeeded where the Duke of Medina Sidonia failed. Nothing more mortifying to the pride of our seapower has happened since the seventeenth century. [...] It spelled the end of the Royal Navy legend that in wartime no enemy battle fleet could pass through what we proudly call the English Channel."

The Germans called it Operation Cerberus. The British always referred to it as, “The Channel Dash.” Now you can refer to it as a new Pocket Battle Game from Against the Odds Magazine. For a limited time, Feb. 9th-13th, enter promo code “DASH” with any order on the ATO website and receive a FREE deluxe version of this game on a postcard, complete with die-cut counters and extra expansion rules and units. Remember to hit the "apply button" after entering the code so the deal "takes."
 
 

So dash to one of the links we’ve given above and make your gaming experiences decisive (and fun!).

Thanks for reading!

Steve Rawling, Publisher ATO/TPS