War With A Mate

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.

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

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.

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