ASL Extra #16: To The Square

Most Slaski Bridge, Warsaw, Poland, January 17, 1945:  We got a bit rusty on how to produce an ASL Extra episode. The maps we used were a bit large and made the units harder to see.  We didn't give exact locations each turn for the Russians/Poles. We forgot to take a photo of the end game. But at least we are back to producing them.  Here we play the classic scenario ASL9  To The Square,  from Beyond Valor.  David Kleinschmidt's Germans will try to stop the Polish onslaught. The Germans have to defend a building and a board edge. Will Dave Timonen's Poles battle on to victory? Will the German's prevail? We hope you appreciate our work and that it might help you understand the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader.  In spite of the few errors, it is a glorious presentation. 

LINKS

Photos of scenario ASL9 TO THE SQUARE on our Flikr site

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Episode 96: Budapest Slugfest with Bill Cirillo

If we were enjoying some nice Gouda and wine while recording, we could have called this episode Goudafest in Budapest. With casualty totals during the Siege of Budapest nearly equaling those of the Battle of Berlin, our current title seems more appropriate. Bill Cirillo was instrumental to bring Advanced Squad Leader players the historical module Festung Budapest. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of that Festung Budafest link on the MMP site to get many free downloads, including chapter H supplements, debris counters, new versions of the player aids and more. This episode is all Bill Cirillo, as Dave and Jeff share a wonderful opportunity to learn of all that went in to the development of this amazing game. Research, discussions with historians and authors, working with the wonderful folks at MMP, all were needed to make this module the success that it is.  We are glad to be able to get this information to you.

Sean Deller and Bill Cirillo playtesting.

Aerial photo of Budapest as mentioned in the show.

This one just might knock your socks off!

SHOW GUIDE
1:00 Small Talk
7:00  Seige of Budapest History
10:40 Interview with Bill Cirillo
1:16:28 Total Running Time

LINKS
WWII: Siege of Budapest article that inspired the module.

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Episode 95: Twelve Heads on a Shelf

Welcome back for another exciting show, somewhere during which we occasionally allude or refer directly to Advanced Squad Leader. Wow, that sentence was awkward, but the show is very smooth. We hope you like it.

SHOW GUIDE
17:30 Call-in Letters
35:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately
44:45 Movie Review  - Enemy at the Gates
1:02:00 What's in the Box? -- Rivers to the Reich
1:21:10 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS
Monsters of Film Land
Famous Monsters
I'm So Ronery (adult content)
History of Rome podcast
Rivers to the Reich

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Episode 94: No Place Like Cholm

We're officially into summer now -- and we know this not because the Earth's northern semi-axis reached its greatest inclination toward our home star (the Sun), but because Dave is out of school and Jeff has begun mixing icy beverages for recording sessions. We're hoping the relaxed work schedules will allow us to get caught up on at least some of the many topics, products and interviews we've got on the Advanced Squad Leader to-do list.

Herein we finally get a look at Dave's copy of Kampfgruppe Scherer: The Shield of Cholm from the fabulous folks at Le Franc Tireur. It's been burning a hole in Dave's collection for lo these past months, so we're feeling much relief at finally unleashing it. And man, it doesn't disappoint. It's got winter maps, perspective artwork and . . . a girl's high school! Who could ask for anything more?

Of course, we also take time to share some wonderful letters. And Dave gives a right proper book report on Hell & Highwater, a history of the Canada's vital and victorious participation in the Italian campaign.

You're gonna like this episode, even if you live south of the equator!

SHOW GUIDE
1:00 Chit-chat
8:00  Letters
27:15 Box Art Review -- Kampfgruppe Scherer
29:30 Whats in the Box? -- Kampfgruppe Scherer
56:30 Book Review: Hell & Highwater
1:16:15 Total Running Time

MORE LINKS
Our Facebook Page
ASL Chicago web site

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Episode 93: Where's the Wasabi?

One of the notable characteristics and attractions of wasabi is while it burns with some pleasurable intensity, its affects are relatively short lived. Chili pepper chemistry, on the other hand, is oil-based and so its affects are more prolonged. This episode is like a blistering chili pepper; it will blast you with pleasure straight away, yet the burning delight will linger long after we sign off.

Letters are conspicuously absent this time as there is so much other stuff to talk about. After some chit chat about beer and wasabi-laced seaweed, Jeff introduces Dave to Sabaton, a heavy metal band whose songs are based on famous historical battles, including many engagements from World War II. You like "chrome" in your Advanced Squad Leader? How about heavy metal? Then we talk about what we've been playing lately. We pull two nice items from The Box. Jeff reveals his recently acquired copy of Blood Reef: Tarawa and Dave goes through MMP's scenario pack, Best of Friends.

2:00 Somewhat entertaining banter
13:00 Music to Game By
20:00 What've You Been Playing Lately?
37:00 What's In the Box?
1:25:38  TOTAL

Sabaton
Best of Friends
Tarawa
Tarawa: Story of a Battle

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Episode 92: Tank-Hunting, Krupnikas-Drinking Heroes

Hey all! We have another really big show for you here, as Ed Sullivan would say. There are letters that spark all kinds of Advanced Squad Leader topics. Dave presents his review of the classic World War II film Saving Private Ryan. We continue our series on the Japanese with a look at the fanatically fun Tank-Hunter Hero. If you have been wondering what is being played at the PAASL club meetings lately you will be able to find out at the end of this episode. The members give a little report on the scenarios they played. Very enjoyable!

SHOW GUIDE
1:00 Banter and Letters
37:00 Movie Review
49:50 The Japanese: Part Two (TH Heroes & Other Rules)
1:13:30 PAASL Update
1:40:30 Total Running Time







LINKS
World of Tanks: Japanese Anti-Tank Assaults
ASLML Hero Q & A
When is a Tank Hunter Hero Removed Q & A on Gamesquad
The Marvelous Drink - Krupnikas

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