Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
In this video, I take a first look at Napoleon 1870: The Collapse of the Second French Empire, the game I co-designed with Brian Asklev, soon to be released by Shakos.
Rather than simply adapting a Napoleonic system to a later conflict, we wanted the design to reflect what made the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 fundamentally different: changing command structures, new operational realities, and above all the contrast between the warfare of Napoleon I and the very different military doctrine and political system inherited by Napoleon III. I’ll walk through the core system, explain what makes this entry unique, and discuss some of the historical and mechanical choices that shaped the design.
The Kickstarter campaign launches on September 22:
kickstarter.com/projects/shakos/napoleon-1870-the-collapse-of-the-second-french-empire
BGG page:
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/473376/napoleon-1870
Support Homo Ludens and join our Discord community:
ko-fi.com/homoludens1871
00:00 Intro
00:50 System Overview
05:43 Why did we deign this
08:09 What makes this entry special
11:48 Q&A - The Russ Segment
In this video, I take a first look at Napoleon 1870: The Collapse of the Second French Empire, the game I co-designed with Brian Asklev, soon to be released by Shakos.
Rather than simply adapting a Napoleonic system to a later conflict, we wanted the design to reflect what made the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 fundamentally different: changing command structures, new operational realities, and above all the contrast between the warfare of Napoleon I and the very different military doctrine and political system inherited by Napoleon III. I’ll walk through the core system, explain what makes this entry unique, and discuss some of the historical and mechanical choices that shaped the design.
The Kickstarter campaign launches on September 22:
kickstarter.com/projects/shakos/napoleon-1870-the-collapse-of-the-second-french-empire
BGG page:
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/473376/napoleon-1870
Support Homo Ludens and join our Discord community:
ko-fi.com/homoludens1871
00:00 Intro
00:50 System Overview
05:43 Why did we deign this
08:09 What makes this entry special
11:48 Q&A - The Russ Segment
