Designer interview: Mike Lambo

Mike Lambo is the designer of a succesfull series of book-wargames. Let´ s see what his great mind is hiding in the workshed...

Hi Mike! Thank you for accepting this interview, I really appreciate it. I reviewed your game The Fields of Normandy as the first article on this blog, actually it was the inspiration to start the whole project. How would you define what a book-game is?

For me, a book game is simply a game which is included entirely within a book format. That is, everything you need to play the game is included in the book which would obviously include the rules, but also any maps or counters and so on which are needed to play the game.

You designed a whole series of book games. What target audience did you have in mind when designing them?

Certainly when I first started out, my target audience consisted of people who were new to wargaming but also people who found that they didn't have the time to set up and play longer board games and were looking for something that would give them a 'quick fix' but which still included meaningful decisions. From the feedback I have received, my games certainly seem to have encouraged new people to come to the hobby and other people to return to the hobby after a period of time, but they are also played by people who have considerable experience of wargaming. To that extent, I feel that I have achieved my aims.

Which title would you recommend as an entry to your gameworld?

This is always a difficult question to answer, as none of my games is overly complex. Having said that, there are degrees of complexity within them and I try to make that clear within any relevant sales description. I would generally encourage people to buy the game which fits the theme or period to which they are most attracted. Other than that, my first game, The Fields of Normandy, is a great place to start as it eases people into the hex and counter style of gaming.

How do you come up with different gaming mechanisms for different conflicts?

Honestly, there is no particular process I go through. I tend to draw on my experience of game design and of playing other games, but also think carefully about how a particular conflict played out and try to pick mechanisms which fit the theme. Sometimes a particular game mechanism occurs to me and then I think of a theme that would best fit it, so almost reversing the process I guess.

Now a little bit about you. What did get you into board games? And what are your all time favorites?

I've always enjoyed board games but I guess like many people finding others to play with was often the issue, especially in adulthood. It is relatively recently that I discovered the concept of solitaire board games, which has allowed me to rediscover the hobby and go on to produce my own games for publication. My own personal favourites tend to be the classic solo war games such as the D-Day Series by John Butterfield, Fields of Fire, Conflict of Heroes and other classics such as those designed by David Thompson including the Valiant Defence series.

Which historical period would you visit with a time machine and why?

That's a tough question. I have always had a particular fascination with World War Two, although that still feels a little recent if you are offering me any time period ever! I think I would probably want to travel back to medieval Great Britain although I'm not sure I'd want to stay for too long!

Do you already have any future plans for new games?

Always! I'm currently developing a Napoleonic war game but have several others in very early development. Watch this space!

Thank you for your time!