Tales & Tactics

RaW: Mork Borg-verse

In this episode of Rules as Written, we dive into MÖRK BORG, PIRATE BORG, Forbidden Psalm, and the rise of the modern “vibe game.” These visually striking indie RPGs helped define a new era of tabletop design built around mood, aesthetic identity, and fast improvisational play. But beneath the doom metal art, apocalyptic prophecy, and brutal minimalism lies a major design question: how much procedural game structure is actually there? We examine MÖRK BORG’s mechanics, themes, and OSR roots, discuss why PIRATE BORG may be the strongest and most complete version of the formula, and explore how Forbidden Psalm adds the kind of tactical and campaign scaffolding many Borg style games lack. Along the way, we ask whether these games are streamlined masterpieces of minimalist design, or whether they rely too heavily on GM fiat and inherited play culture to carry the experience.

BtB: Written Orders

In this episode of Beyond the Book, we dive into what happens when players must commit to plans before the action begins. From classic hex and counter simulations of naval warfare and air force games to the game Diplomacy of 1959 and more modern board games, pre planning systems force players to think like real commanders. Orders are written, actions are locked in, and once the turn begins, events unfold simultaneously. We explore how simultaneous activation changes the psychology of play compared to traditional I go You go systems, why hidden planning creates uncertainty and friction, and how different games handle the challenge of prediction, initiative, and command control.

RaW: Talon

In this episode of Tales & Tactics, our Rules as Written series covers Talon from GMT Games, a tactical sci-fi fleet combat game pitting the human Terran Confederation against the alien Talon Empire across a series of ship to ship engagements. We discuss how the game’s impulse based turn structure creates a tense and interleaved flow of action that will feel familiar to veterans of Starfleet Battles, while remaining accessible enough to bring new players into the fold. We also highlight one of Talon’s smartest design decisions in placing all essential game information directly on the counters themselves, keeping the action on the table and the rulebook on the shelf. Clean, tactical, and rewarding, Talon earns its place as one of the more elegant entries in the space combat wargame genre.

BtB: Sports Simulation

From dugouts and playbooks to stat sheets and dice rolls, this Beyond the Book episode dives into the world of tabletop sports simulation. We look at how designers have tried to capture the drama and strategy of real world sport without requiring players to throw a single punch or swing a real bat. From classic replay games to modern fast play designs, we explore what makes a sports sim feel authentic, what gets abstracted away, and why these games have such a dedicated following. If you have ever wondered how a tabletop game can recreate the tension of a full season or a crucial fourth down, this episode is for you.

RaW: Deadball

In this episode of Rules as Written, we step up to the plate with Deadball by W.M. Akers, a fast, elegant tabletop baseball game that turns statistics, scorekeeping, and a handful of dice into a tense pennant race drama. We dig into the history behind the term Deadball, explore the real life Deadball Era of baseball, and look at how Akers translates that low scoring, small ball style into tabletop form. Along the way, we break down the game’s core mechanics, its evolving editions, the charm of the fictional Southern Circuit, and how it compares to other tabletop baseball classics. If you love sports history, clever design, or games that capture the feeling of their subject with surprising precision, this one’s for you.