Rubble Town

When I was playtesting Festung/Christmas in Hell v1.5/6 it struck me that a lot of the learnings of CiH were in that main combat cycle as you pushed up a street, and that setting up a big game if that is all you're interested in (rather than the historic context) was probably a waste of time, so I developed Rubble Town to hopefully deliver that “quick hit” urban experience, using the same core mechanics as Festung in a more beer-and-pretzels, style. 

Rubble Town is a card-based game designed to be played solo in ~20 minutes, probably over a beer and competing with friends and mates to get the best score. The aim of the game is to introduce players to some of the key features of urban combat in a fun and entertaining way.

Rubble Town allow players to explore the different trade-offs of urban combat, such as deciding how much they will rely on using heavy weapons to help ensure success – but at the cost of increasing the rubblization of the town, or trading time to avoid casualties. The random street and event cards will provide different challenges on each turn, and introduce players to an array of urban issues including combined arms, mouse-holing, direct and indirect fire support, civilians and the media. Rubble Town comes in WW2 and Modern versions, the latter allowing you to use UAVs, UGVs, LAWs and other more modern equipment.

From here you can:

• Download the full Rubble Town print'n'play files (Modern version) and print'n'play instructions
• Download the flyer
• Download the rules
• Read the Designer's Notes
• Access the Tabletop Simulator version, and notes on how to use the TTS version
• Download a Playable Powerpoint version
• Read the COW2024 Onside Report (further designer notes)
• Access the custom dice roller
• Go to the BoardGameGeek page
• Read a nice review from one of the COW2024 games

Since this game is one of the key games for my PhD I am keen to collect formal feedback on play. If you'd like to participate then either just email me at david@burden.name, or read and complete the following forms (all online) to confirm your participation and to document your plays:

• Participant Information Sheet
• Participant Consent Form
• Rubble Town post-game questionnaire

If you've got any questions or comments about Rubble Town, or would like a demo game with me just email me at david@burden.name.

Here are a few pics of Rubble Town in play, physically and on TTS. Note that in some of the physical plays two people/teams are playing their own solo game of Rubble Town, but "head to head" to see who gets to the end first - a good way to play it!