iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Since nobody is asking I would say it anyhow 🤓 The meeting with the artist for my game on the Decembrist Revolution last night went really well: lots of ideas were circulated and I got really positive vibes! And I felt very privileged being able to meet him. Thank you 😊

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

And here are two siblings separated for and by 50 years. SPI “The Next War” and KV Design “NATO Division Commander”. The KV Design team has managed to replicate the soapbox size in width and in thickness. Height is just a tad bigger!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Something new and something old that is new again have arrived! Thanks the folks at KV Design for the outstanding service as usual! Yes, on the left is a new edition of the venerable NATO Division Commander by SPI! On the right is a new game by a Chinese designer on the Yom Kippur war.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

First (rough) draft of the rules for my little game on the Decembrist’s Revolution is down! Tomorrow night we talk to the potential artist. Feeling good 😊 @snafustore.bsky.social

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Latest arrivals. Don’t be distracted by the wrong cover on the book on the right: it was published in 1865 right after the ACW and should summarize the experiences of that conflict. Book on the left is the first on a specific campaign as the time has arrived to dive in!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Introducing the kids to an old game made new again! And the youngest kicked everybody’s butt in our first two games!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Some Sky Team action with the oldest kid. We did not clear the airspace in time… I just love this design.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Strolling through villages in Abruzzo and discovering that you are walking the same steps of one of your favorite artists, that was unequivocally influenced by the sights!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

New brigade-level system to try out after blind swords: Borthers At War -1862 by Compass Games. Scenario 5 - initial part of the battle for South Mountain - Fox’s Gap.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Revisiting a little gem in honor of Jack Greene. “278th Squadron - The Same 4 Cats” by Marco Campari and published with the help of @yasN2010 My pilot went all in on mission 6: torpedo hits the HMS Indomitable, but a last flak burst kills the damned hunchback! 4 ships total for a silver medal.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Sunday…soccer season is out, but we are playing Eleven. Whoa, so many moving parts and subsystems I have a hard time to keep up with the kids…that also know the game inside out way better than me 🙄

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Weekend wargaming. Yes, it’s a wargame…

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I am breaking the time-space continuum: while GBACW is moving forward, I am going backwards! Reality is: I got a very good deal on the lot and I could not let it pass.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

No wargaming this WE for me. But I got to play a tight race with my kids with Rallyman GT. I came this close to winning with my light blue GT6 car after a blocking strategy in one of the curves (second pic). My kids are building tracks like the F1 ones, this was 🇦🇺 Waiting for a proper F1 sim…

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Reposted by Nicola S

Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

📆 Time to get more monthly #WargameDay events launched‼️ We're looking for folks who are willing to get w/ their FLGS & get it on the calendar, and show up to play🤠 * Consistency * Accessibility * Visibility If you're interested, drop us a line & let's get it started youtube.com/shorts/U...

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the folks @snafustore.bsky.social for the warm welcome these past few days. It was great to learn and play new games with you all, it was even better to spend quality time together, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. You are my gaming home (away from home)!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

New obsession: Ostia Antica black and white mosaics. I had an outstanding visit and wholeheartedly recommend this to anybody looking for things to do around Rome. Majestic.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Last Turn of our game of @multimanpublishing.bsky.social GCACW The Crater scenario of The Petersburg Campaign. I tried to assault New Market but failed, but I remained in Richmond and tried to rack up VPs by eliminating CSA manpower points. Solid Union Victory in the end. Thanks Marco!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Sunday morning prototyping. When your publisher @snafustore.bsky.social sets up a meeting in person to talk about current and future projects, you cannot show up empty handed… My graphic skills show no sign of improving, but at least the ergonomics seem to be working.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I guess there is a reason why this MMP GCACW module is called “On to Richmond” after all! Turn 2 of “The Crater” scenario and here the Union cav is in Richmond! The Rebels are plugging the holes, but Hanckock is arriving. 2 turns left to try and score 100 VP!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Playing The Stone Wall scenario solo of 1st Kernstown in the Blind Swords series to get a grip on the system. This is the end of Turn 1. The Rebels got lucky by picking the “Command Fatigue” chit before the USA only brigade activation. With 3MPs the Federals maneuver faltered..

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Last night I met with my friend Giuseppe after a long time and he got me playing a game he is publishing on the “brigands” of Italy in the late 1800s. A fun little game designed to teach history in collaboration with the Italian museum of Risorgimento. Oh, the game is designed by Brian Train!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

I started a new @multimanpublishing.bsky.social GCACW game last night with a friend via Vassal. Scenario 4 “The Crater” of the Petersburg Campaign (OTR II volume). I have unleashed the Union cavalry for a grand sweep maneuver north and then west/south west for Richmond…

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

The trilogy is now complete. Time to find out if the (tactical) ACW wargames I have accumulated in the past year will stand the test of “verisimilitude” (i.e. if the model adopted catches what I would deem important). Spoiler: most don’t and those that do sacrifice playability.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I worked on a couple of launches there. A bit sad to see it go.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

With the one on the left, my ACW collection has almost reached the (current) end. I blame @fredserval.bsky.social Homo Ludens « We Intend to Move on Your Works » podcast by @drcrossbows.bsky.social & @pierrevj.bsky.social The one on the right is because I am a completist and just love GCACW!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Punched and sorted in @cube4me.bsky.social trays. Playing it will be a whole different matter 😢 I will maybe solo it just to get the rules down well…

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Sometimes I buy an artifact after I designed a game. Other times I buy an artifact in order to design the game 👇🏻

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Victory Games’ Mosby’s Raiders finally makes it on the table! This is the end of Turn 2 (Turn 1 went by with 0 recruits for Mosby). A couple of close calls with strong Federal patrols, but in the end I managed almost a 3 notoriety.

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Reposted by Nicola S

Jonathan Tweet @jonathantweet.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

nothing, just a hand-drawn Monopoly board from East Germany, where it was illegal

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Reposted by Nicola S

Mark Backhouse @markbackhouse29.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Anybody know any historical gaming groups in New Orleans?

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

In da house!!! BTW: it’s Gela like Gelato (I hear a lot of “hard” G’s like in Geek…and it makes the place unrecognizable to an Italian! 🤗)

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

To punch or not to punch? That is the question… Whether ‘tis nobler in mind to suffer the eardogs and misregistering of old counters, or to contemplate the box on the shelf of shame and thus not playing them. To wait, to contemplate - no more, for it is ACW and solitaire.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Not a wargame, but some… Sniper Elite with the youngest. He is truly sneaking around!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

The ACW craze shows no signs of stopping. Left: looking for a tactical system that matches my recent readings Left-center: Southard in the West. Enough said Right-center: Worthington’s Brigade system for 20€ Right: more GCACW

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I am not inclined to play my own trumpet, but I must admit that this review really struck a cord in the unaccomplished game designer that I am 🤗 Thank you to the kind gamer that penned it! (Link to the full review in the next post)

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

When you get a little too carried away by your current game design project…😎 A critical instrument of a B-25, star of my upcoming Catch-18 / The Battle of the Brenner for @snafustore.bsky.social

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I managed to play the 2nd learning scenario of Grant. Most went according to plan. Top Left: the battle for New Madrid Top R: USS Essex runs the batteries of Island n.10 to win over a CSA flotilla at Madrid Bend. Bottom R: battle of Madrid Bend BL: before the last turn (April II)

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Ready for my 2nd learning game of Grant - The Western Campaign of 1862. This time the action revolves around Island no.10 and New Madrid. Pope is in charge coming south from Commerce, with the help of Foote flotilla in Cairo.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Big shout-out to the crew of @fredserval.bsky.social Homo Ludens “We Intend to Move on Your Works” podcast: @pierrevj.bsky.social @drcrossbows.bsky.social and Alexandre.I have literally devoured all the episodes in my commute in the past 2 weeks and greatly enjoyed the discussion.Can’t wait 4 more!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Wow 🥲 This picture brings back memories of over 30 years ago. I stood on that very pier with my American high school best buddies Steve and Jim. No regrets now, but I miss that feeling of having a whole future to live and that anything was possible.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Last turn of the introductory scenario 1 of Grant - The W Campaign of 1862: the siege of Ft. Donelson. The batteries recovered from suppression, which means the only option is attacking from Ft. Henry. I transferred McClernand and Hurlbut to Ft. Henry to reinforce the battle.

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Spent a few hours with Grant - The Wester Campaign of 1862, soloing the 1st intro scenario. Conquered Ft. Henry in the 1st turn (but almost got Grant killed in battle). Ft. Donelson proved a much tougher nut to crack: the gunboats ended up in bad shape for only 2/3 of the batteries suppressed

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Got these two in the mail yesterday (with the respective games). A bit of context: one of the oldest wargame shops in Italy is closing down. They did A LOT to spread the hobby in our country, so this is a bit out of respect to them 🫡

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

I find a cure to my wargaming design delusions to be… …more wargaming! In this case I am preparing to playtest a design by a fellow designer. More to follow!

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Nicola S @6xwa.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I will be demoing my upcoming “Catch-18 - The Battle of the Brenner” game for @snafustore.bsky.social The demo will be via Vassal and multiple players can take a hot seat and play a turn or two! Come and be merry!

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