Close Action Demo with Mark Campbell

On 21 May 2005, Mark Campbell, designer of Close Action refereed a demonstration of his game. Below are pictures taken and are represented in Turn Order, averaging about 3 or 4 pictures per turn. It starts with the pre-setup and initial briefing by Mark Campbell. Following the turn sequence, photos of the participants are shown.

It takes me about 15 minutes each to do a thumbnail. So it may take several more weeks to get them all. The full size likes work well however.

Introduction Introductory layout (Large Size) . Smaller Size.
Mark Campbell Mark Campbell gives introductory briefing and explains rules .
Players listen to instructions. Players listen to Mark's instructions .
The French turn to a broad reach to attack the English van. The French turn to a broad reach to attack the English van .
The French rear, plus Artesian to the right, trying to catch up 
       to the English. The French rear, plus Artesian to the right, trying to catch up to the English. .

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    The French van (in what used to be line of bearing,)
       and the French rear (in line agead) try to close with the enemy
       as the British turn onto a broad reach. The French van (in what used to be line of bearing,) and the French rear (in line ahead) try to close with the enemy as the British turn onto a broad reach .

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  • The British van begins beating upwind.

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  • French rear division engages the British center.

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  • In the French navy, the larger ship has right of way. Orient's captain points this out to Sphinx.

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  • The British jostle to reform their line.

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  • Annibal begins breaking the English line.

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  • Looking north, the English rear tries to escape from the French van. Looking closely at Heros (to the right), you'll see a battlesheep at the prow.

  • The British form line closehauled, as the French sweep down on their rear.

  • Mark removes a mast marker from Annibal. Annibal still has plenty of guns, though.

  • In the game-winning move, Annibal slips in between Superb and Monarca, cutting off the British rear.

  • A longer view of Annibal's attack.

  • Same as previous, looking north. Heros is muttering darkly about Vengeur's casual attitude towards staying out of the flagship's way.

  • Artesien, Heros, and Vengeur narrowly avoid collision, to the disappointment of the British.

  • A close up of the French precision maneuvering display team.

  • Looking northwest into the wind. The Brits are closehauled. On the right, Orient is racing down on a broad reach.

  • Annibal is the center of British attention. In the distance, Petit Annibal plinks at Superb.

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  • Hang on, Annibal, the cavalry is coming....or as Mark put it, "The good news for the British is that Annibal has been beaten down from a Star Destroyer to a mere cruiser. Unfortunately for the British, Heros is coming, and she's a Deathstar."

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  • In the distance, Burford wanders off on her own. The British, in line of clump, turn to a broad reach. Heros, Artesien and Vengeur are out of frame to the left. Sphinx and Orient narrowly avoid collision while trying to close on the British rear.

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  • Annibal is the center of British attention.

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  • Monarca suffers the attentions of four French ships, including a stern rake from Heros. The British admiral decides Monarca is expendable--or perhaps expended--and orders his squadron to break contact.

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  • Confusion and close action.

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  • Burford finally gets a shot off.

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  • Worcester rakes Heros while trying to get clear of the French squadron.

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  • Heros shatters Worcester with a stern rake while the rest of the squadron finishes off Monarca.

  • The English abandon their cripples and escape, while two smaller French ships harass them.

  • Heros grapples Worcester to make sure of the kill. In the background, Orient hammers Monarca while screening the wounded Annibal.

  • The English van and center escape, harried by Petit Annibal and Artesien.

  • The French pack converges on their prey, Monarca and Worcester, as Superb and Eagle accelerate away.

  • Mark Campbell.

  • The French, except their admiral.

  • The Brits, except their admiral and flag captain.

  • a Mark wraps up the game. On the couch are Bob (Worcester) and Tom (don't recall).

  • Left to right: Josh (Monarca), Joe (Exeter), Eric (Burford, Brit MVP).

  • Left to right: Ryan (Orient), Dan (Annibal, French MVP), one of Tracy's sons (Sphinx, I think).

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