Episode 132: The One with the Harp

Last week we were pleased to be the featured guests on another podcast. Three Moves Ahead is the leading computer and console strategy game themed podcast on the internet. You can listen to it here Three Moves Ahead Episode 292 Advanced Squad Leader

In this episode of The 2 Half-Squads Jeff is joined in the broadcast foxhole by his wife Robin to read some letters. Cue the harp music!

Later we get caught up opening some gifts from listeners and then go into some discussion of what we've been playing lately.

SHOW TIMES
11:00 Letters
Gifts from Dennis, Allen, Matt, Steve A and Steve Jobs.
What Have You Been Playing As of Late

LINKS
Coconut Casualty
Coconut Bombs
All about The Netherlands . . . or is it Holland?

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Special: The John Hill Interview

On the evening of January 12, 2015, a few hours after we had recorded Episode 132 of this show, we learned of the passing of John Hill the creator of the original Squad Leader. We knew John only through the interview he graciously granted us in early February 2010 -- four years and exactly 100 episodes ago. In his honor we here present that interview.

If the value of a man's life be weighed by what he leaves behind, then John certainly strained the scales. His achievements and qualities, listed by so many of his fans, family and friends across the internet, need not be repeated here. All we can add is . . . thank heaven he loved to play games.

John Hill  1944 - 2015

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Episode 131: Christmas Special with Pine Trees

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanza!

We gathered around the chestnuts roasting on an open fire, fired up the microphones, popped open some eggnog and produced an especially spectacular jolly holiday show. After some extra cheery banter we jump right into the snow -- uuuh...we meant to say "show" -- with some fascinating letters. The frost is scraped off the box and inside is a gift called Action Pack #10. Terrain Time covers a bundle of terrain rules including Brush, Woods, Orchards (including pear trees), Cactus Patches, and groovy Olive Groves. Now this is a great way to bring in the New Year. Cheers!


SHOW TIMES
3:00 - Banter
11:20 - Letters
29:15 - What's in the Box? 
41:00 - Terrain Time 
1:05 - Spontaneous Trail Break Song
1:15:45 - Pine Tree Song
1:28:56 - Total Running Time

LINKS 
Action Pack #10 

LYRICS to the Human Wave Song
Two squads per hex, Con-tiguous,  A chain of three, With SMC, Not adjacent, To a unit, In Line Of Sight, Even at night, A, twenty, five, point two three. Jive, No HOB, Nor a patsy [PAATC],
Just IPC, No LTC, No pin result, Move by impulse, Cover lots of ground, Enemy’s found, Into their hex, It gets complex, FPF checks, CC effects, “Hürrah!” We cheer, Human Wave’s here,
Very, Very, Very Scary..Humans rush, Very, Very, Very Scary..Humans rush
Russians can send, Men without end, Into the fray,  Most everyday.......... Rushing head-long...

By Dennis Donovan




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Episode 130: Dolan Out Wisdom

Dan Dolan with his game
collection.

Good Morning Campers! Here is the episode you have all been waiting for -- it is an interview with dazzling Dan Dolan. Dan has been a productive member of the Advanced Squad Leader community, having developed the Gavutu-Tanambogo mini campaign game and several scenarios.  As if that wasn't enough to cement his name into the ASL Wall of Fame, he went on to win the coveted Spuddy Award, and contributed articles to various publications like At The Point.

But the project of his that we are all looking forward to, is currently under development, The Dinant Bridgehead. 

SHOW TIMES
1:00 - Bantero
14:00 - Letters (the Call-in Kind)
24:30 - Interview with Dan Dolan
1:24:55 - Total Running Time

LINKS
Asia Pac Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) Rally Point


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Episode 129: Why Knott PBEM?

Ken doesn't let his wilderness
home keep him from playing plenty
of ASL thanks to VASL

After much delay, avoidance, postponement and procrastination, we finally took the time to learn the facts, physics and fun of PBEM (Play By EMail), and for this we turned to experienced VASLer and loyal T2HS fan, Ken Knott. If your spouse hasn't already questioned your sanity regarding your sad devotion to Advanced Squad Leader, wait till she finds out about the virtual friends you're playing with.

SHOW TIMES

17:30 - Letters
36:20 - What Have You Been Playing Lately? A Tarawa AAR
46:45 - VASL and PBEM talk with Ken Knott
1:34:20 - Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

Hit the Beach SoCal ASL Newsletter
VASL

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Episode 128: Wilkommen the Box

Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome!  Fremde, etranger, stranger. Gluklich zu sehen, je suis enchante, We're glad you're here.
And welcome to another somewhat amazing episode of The 2 Half-Squads, featuring the most beloved and revered segment in all game-casting -- What's in the Box?  Tonight we took a look inside and discovered the ASL Mannual '98, a wonderful piece of Advanced Squad Leader satire brought to us by Rob Seulowitz and Tom Repetti. It takes a loving yet mischievous look at our favorite game and the colorful characters who make up its community. We're glad we weren't around at the time of its production as we would have, no doubt, been skewered, roasted, tarred, feathered and and generally dealt our just deserts.

Just as handsome on cardboard as in real life.
(courtesy of Dennis Donovan)

Speaking of deserts, we decided one "What's in the Box" offerings was not enough, so we took another peek and discovered both MMP's Special Ops #5, and Out of the Attic #1. And after all of that, we sneaked just one more look in that Box and were thrilled to discover Dispatches from the Bunker #39.

In addition to all those glances in boxes, Dave offers a review of the book, Weimar Germany Promise and Tragedy.

SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
10:00 What's in the Box? - ASL Mannual '98 (download PDF here)
28:40 What's in Box? - Special Ops #5
36:00 What's in Box? - Out of the Attic #1
56:00 Book Review - Weimar Germany: Promise and Tragedy by Weitz
1:05:00 What's in the Box - Gifts! That's Cool -- for us
1:17:50 Dispatches From the Bunker #39
1:21:40 Total Running Time

LINKS
M
The Shot of Adolf Dave Refers to in Triumph of the Will

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