Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
In this special episode, the tables turn as Paul LaFondiose—typically the host—takes the guest seat to share his full story. Interviewed by James Horton, Paul walks us through his journey from a D&D dungeon master to a U.S. Army intelligence officer, to one of the most prolific umpires in the International Kriegsspiel Society. He discusses his love for operational planning, how he discovered the Moltke problems, his work transforming them into a modern resource, and his unique approach to scenario design, mapping, and AI integration. They dive into what it means to pursue mastery in Kriegsspiel, the challenge of scaling to 1,000 fans, and the future of live gaming and AI-enhanced campaigns.
In this special episode, the tables turn as Paul LaFondiose—typically the host—takes the guest seat to share his full story. Interviewed by James Horton, Paul walks us through his journey from a D&D dungeon master to a U.S. Army intelligence officer, to one of the most prolific umpires in the International Kriegsspiel Society. He discusses his love for operational planning, how he discovered the Moltke problems, his work transforming them into a modern resource, and his unique approach to scenario design, mapping, and AI integration. They dive into what it means to pursue mastery in Kriegsspiel, the challenge of scaling to 1,000 fans, and the future of live gaming and AI-enhanced campaigns.
