War With A Mate

A game-changing movement phase occurs due to the revelation that James has inadvertently squirrelled away additional divisions for the whole of play so far - now on the to Andy’s Eastern territories. That’s not all that’s in danger, in an episode reviewing electrical dangers, airborne catastrophe and the risk of learning some valuable history in a new series of Andy’s History Corner.

Oh dear, was it all for nothing? A gruelling run of Close Assault and Truck Captures in Turn 2-1 has left the guys feeling cheated out of their own time, and long dormant rules-rage rears its ugly head as the frontlines and by proxy, rule reviews, are getting busier. Spirits are still high however! An episode that looks at the first War With A Mate field trip (relating to confusing stone monuments from the past), the final chapter of Balbo’s history segment and a Common Ground that sees James willing to give up any personal liberties to watch The Sopranos. The long awaited merch has finally arrived in a limited run capacity for the next couple of weeks, the stockpile can be found athttps://war-with-a-mate.printify.me

Look to the skies! And then to a calm, quiet space. James has released unbridled rage upon Andy following unexpected strategic shifts at the end of a particularly ambitious air mission segment. Important questions are asked, such as the future of global sporting, the marketing behind CfNA and the state of the guys’ hair.

The starting pistol for Turn Two has been fired! The guys are off, with initiative determined, weather rolled for and the fate of James' Naval Convoy is sealed by a daring mission by Andy's Commonwealth airforce. What's on offer this week is a taste-sensation of former flash games, fascist faux pas and two feverishly fun fellows. It's here, it's now - it's one of the episodes of this podcast.

The guys are joined by Nate of Breakup Gaming Society as a pleasant change of pace at the end of Turn One. Touching on the ambitions of “artists”, the state of board games in the cultural zeitgeist and the existential question of when we should care about funerals. Stay SHB & D. Special thanks to Nate for beaming himself over to us via internet from shores afar this week. Check out Breakup Gaming Society for the ultimate one-stop shop covering Board Games, Hip-Hop and Booze!https://www.breakupgamingsociety.com

After mishaps, mistakes and (and occasional friendly malice), Turn One finally comes to an end. The guys are feeling bulletproof, with one turn under their belt, and no underlying health conditions, finishing the game looks like a possibility in this lifetime. To see off this first portion, they discuss upcoming strategies, delve into the mailbag to understand more about the English Language and take a trip to the past to see what on Earth is happening to Italy in the lead up to the war.

Twists and turns at Fort Maddalena and a massacre in the South shakes up the imminent conclusion to Turn One. A fresh new history segment topic sees the focus shift to a rather unsavoury fellow and common ground has the guys looking to the stars.

The situation in Fort Maddalena heats up further as the guys close out their air missions and James begins angling for the impending close assault. This week’s history segment sees a poignant farewell to the 28th Māori Battalion, closing out another topic. With a sleepy Andy at the wheel and an admin-heavy session, the guys take the time to right some wrongs, from the state of live music performances to interstellar diplomacy.

The resolution of air missions over Fort Maddelenna leaves more questions than answers when it comes to the next steps of engagement, with both sides reeling from strikes. The guys traverse a time-trials episode by reminiscing on icons passed; some modern, some Māori. All this before settling on a Common Ground that sees the world living the quiet life - wouldn’t that be nice?

Breakdowns, bayonets and battle planning. The guys wave goodbye to Operation Stage 2 and buckle up for the final Operation Stage of Turn One. All eyes are on the centre of the map for the upcoming engagement that is set to end the turn. The mailbag sheds new light on the Heathcliff mystery and the alternative roles within the game. Stick around to the end if YOU are a rental tenant in need of some vindication.

Tactical cunning is in the air, and Andy has been breathing in an unhealthy level of it, call a doctor, quick! Upon their return from the War With A Mate company retreat, the guys are tackling the twilight portions of Operation Stage 2. Combat comes to a tense halt, with truck movement on the horizon. Another Māori centric history segment vows to showcase some of the most intimidating folks in the desert, and James tries to tackle the desert heat with more lateral-thinking Common Ground.

Decisive assault in Operation Stage Two has left James reeling from some very heavy losses on the ground, leaving Andy braced for what could be a disproportionate response. Looking at some of the more formidable units in the history segment, Andy treats us to some information on the 28th Māori Battalion. An episode that…wait, what is this? Who did this?!

Batten down the hatches friends, it’s time for the guys to unfurl the battle plans and look at the current state of play. Quite the different approach this week as Andy and James reflect on 100 days of playing The Campaign For North Africa, what they’ve experienced and what the future holds.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s actually 48 planes to be precise, and they’re blowing each other out of the sky! Andy and James tackle their first bit of air combat as James’ bombing run hangs on the line. Amongst this high octane action, we also travel back in time to the conclusive history segment focused on the Long Range Desert Group.

We have liftoff! The planes are finally in the air, and making an impact! Look at them go, glorious flight. From up here, the guys can get a good view of meaty history segment about the Long Range Desert Group's activities, some mail that walks the line between praise and penalising, as well as a Common Ground segment that is primed to save British entertainment.

It’s official - the first Operation Stage (of 351 admittedly) is finally OVER. The guys make steady progress with the second Op Stage, and begin ramping up the realisation that this is a competitive game. A radically changed landscape for the second Op Stage spells trouble. What is the weather? Who goes first? And most importantly, do you remember when Olly Murs wore a hat?

Oh this is quintessential War With A Mate. The trucks are out in storm here, they are making their way across the deserts and our hearts. Touching on the logistics of trucking is this week’s history segment, wherein Andy covers some much more capable “truckers”. A Common Ground segment that is focused on taking things back to basics, as well as a reflection on what makes the guys tick.

What better way to look forward than by looking back? This week the guys are joined by Kam, whose video on the game helped sculpt this twisted ordeal. From perspective on the game, to the paranormal spectre hanging above the trio, to an emotionally charged Common Ground, the message is there in a roundabout way.

And that’s a wrap folks, the first chunk of movement is officially over! With the lion’s share of the first operation stage in the rear view mirror, Andy tries to psychoanalyse some questionable tactical choices made by James - who appears to have cracked under the pressure. An extra-chunky history segment covers the scariest adventure-bros of their time and a Common Ground poised to save the world comes about - with some strings attached.

Is this rolling? Alright, well here comes the confession…some huge mistakes have been made. The guys wrestle with some more-than-minor errors in the recent sessions. Recapping several battles, including the one for their spirits, they cope in different ways - whether that’s the tough love of accountability or the decision to curse future generations with mischief.

Anyone miss the good old days? The days before the game could be played? When it was just playing with magnets? The guys continue through the movement stage, with something of a two-steps-forward-one-step-back approach after the first recorded whoopsie! Professor Andy covers the conclusion of the Enigma history segment and James threatens to expedite global warming. Do NOT trust Thomas the Tank with your economic stability.

The first shot has been fired! In what is undeniably the greatest stride yet, the guys have made a tremendous charge through multiple game stages (albiet some did not apply to Operation Stage One). The point of no return is well and truly in the rear-view mirror as the first casualties are recorded, and pieces on the board begin to move. More enigmatic enigma facts from Andy's History Corner and the mail call segment may finally shed some light on the meaning of "TOE" Points, while James basks in the kindness of strangers. Only the exposure of Andy's hubris in Common Ground could taint these waters.

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! In a state of elation at finally ending the water distribution phase, James has developed a messiah complex. Meanwhile, Andy is struck with a case of the Nihilisms, realising James was right all along about the game and the current optimist is simply mania. All this as well as a stand-out mail segment and Andy’s delve into Enigma’s history provides what can definitively be called, an episode of the podcast.

HA! Gotcha! In today's episode, the artist formerly known as James has neglected to treat himself to any REM, resulting in even the most menial of the play session's tasks wearing him down. Andy on the other hand is fighting a war on two fronts; keeping James awake and remembering where Sportacus lives. In this gruelling fight to keep the flame of their souls alight, the guys cover the third and final Monty history segment, some camel-based mail that truly tantalises, and planning of the WwaM World Tour destinations. The movement game stage grows ever closer...

The world is turned on it’s head as James enters the ring with his head held high, full of optimism, while Andy feels the need to call on divine intervention for aid. Delving into more of Monty’s history as well as some exotic mail calls, the guys touch on themes of love and loss (which isn’t really related to a board game about WW2, they’re slipping). Featuring Anubis, Bigfoot and Lauren!

Episode 17: Pasta Point Of No Return Well it’s finally here, the wacky (and genuinely punishing) Italian Pasta Point rule. James struggles to come to terms with the fact he’s playing a difficult game, while Andy makes large strides to streamline the future of CfNA gameplay. The guys receive telegrams-a-plenty and another trip into the past sheds some light on the commonwealth leadership of the campaign. Special thanks this week to KamSandwich having us on for a cameo role in his Worst Board Game Of All Time series, check him out, he’s better than us! https://youtube.com/@kamsandwich?si=IV9d3k5Zb_gWxKp8

With the distribution of water and stores well underway in the desert, the guys have some revelations about the naïveté they may have approached logistics with. A trip back in time gives Andy a chance to recount atrocities of the past and the guys answer some questions from listeners about the atrocities of their short-sighted judgement entering the fray. Some wordplay gets heated and Irish traditions receive a patchwork tribute.Email : [email protected] : WarWithAMate.co.uk.Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/warwithamate

What’s better than talking about things completely unrelated to the game you ask? Talking about things that ARE related of course! You asked, they listened. This week the guys focus in amidst an admin heavy play session and instead address some listener questions about the game, some historical background on Italian leadership during the campaign and then burrow into an Andrew-led common ground, all in this bumper sized episode.

A roaring charge through stage 1.1! With a brand new and creative way to set up the game, the guys are peacocking as the innovators they quite frankly aren’t. Between discussions of the first operation stage of play, important subjects discussed include the origin of the podcast name, ways to motivate the workforce of tomorrow and…a sequel? All in this bitesized episode.

THEY’VE STARTED. No really, this time they have! The game is afoot and there’s no stopping this momentum apart from the game itself; or repetitive tangents about metaphors. A particularly heightened Common Ground segment gives a peek into Andy’s enigmatic mind and James suffers yet again from physical ailment.

Today we visit an alternate reality where the guys successfully talk about the game for an extended period of time - before making room for the very first official segment of the podcast. My, how they’ve grown! Newfound motivation is nurtured in some unity, absolutely nothing can go wrong now.

How do I abhor thee? Let me count the ways. A philosophical and psychological battle of the wits has erupted between Andrew and James, with no punches pulled against beloved pop culture and treasured memories. With game progress moving at a glacial pace, the War is spilling out to all faucets of life - and an online purchase is poised to change the fundamentals of the game forever; or at least briefly.

Have you seen Click? Amazing movie. Today the guys commiserate 10 long play sessions with a logistical overhaul of setup, a brief autopsy of SPI, and…surely not a brief cameo from Mr Christopher Walken himself? It’s a hairy one.

Here ye, here ye! Appeals and promises a-plenty are a tall order today from James and Andrew given how long it’s taken to get out of the starting gates, yet here we are. With talks of Kinder Bueno, doxxing and Dirty Dancing, if you squint really hard you might see that behind that, they actually make some steadfast progress with the game.

Nothing lasts forever ey? (Except maybe this game). The energy from NYE most certainly did not make it to 2025, with a dreary - near delusional - atmosphere in the war room today. The guys plod on towards the conflict…but maybe the real conflicts are the “friends” they were along the way?

Happy New Year! In this especially unhinged NYE episode, the guys have been at the sauce and are proud to have finally started what some consider actual gameplay. Revelations, promises and just a dash of threatening language all lie ahead in this festive bonanza of spirits.

We’re off to a bold start as 2024 approaches an end. They say one door closes, and another opens; that door is to the red mist. James is furious with the fundamentals of the game, whereas Andrew has come to realise his destiny as the winner. Rated PEGI-18.

Whoever thought that the set-up for a board game would take so long? Clearly not these two short-sighted fellows. A 12 hour stint of preparation has really taken a toll on James, with Andrew standing tall as the energised front-runner. Hopefully this one stays on topic and isn't wildly unrelated to the game.

Well it's some for something a little different. This time around, the guys are joined by the good folks from the Echoes of War podcast, Craig and Gaurav. I hope you're hungry for some history, because in this pot-luck, Craig and Gaurav bring the facts, James and Andrew bring the lacklustre interview skills and YOU bring the ears, to listen to it all.Echoes Of War : Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@ThePacificWarChannelPatreon : https://www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel

A relatively festive recording (released a month later) sees the guys hot on the heels of actual gameplay. Some self-agrandaising may be required in order to keep spirits high, despite the fact the rules are starting to take shape after some playtesting. Could this be progress? It's hard to say, because the game still hasn't started.

The guys have decided that the best way to approach the game is to do so at a leisurely pace - which is a generous way to describe procrastination. A very animal-themed episode hears discussion of various desert inhabitants, like camels, hedgehogs and corporations.Email : [email protected] Website : WarWithAMate.co.uk

Join Andrew and James as they unravel the premise of War With A Mate, as well as their psyche as they touch on the pros and cons of such a long form project, and the vast rewards that lay ahead.Email : [email protected] Website : WarWithAMate.co.uk