Andy Taeger and James Purcell are preparing to begin a project that could span two to three decades. The two friends from Newcastle are starting to play The Campaign for North Africa, a board game widely considered the most complex in existence. If they succeed, they will become the first people known to have completed the game.
A 30-Year Commitment
The pair recently completed a six-turn practice run that took approximately 18 months. Based on that experience, Purcell estimates the full game will take between 20 and 30 years to finish. They have accepted the long timeline and are treating the endeavor as a serious commitment rather than a casual hobby.
The game was designed by Richard Berg in 1979. It simulates the desert war in North Africa between 1940 and 1943. The physical components are massive. The set includes a 10-foot map that the players have divided into five picture frames. It also contains 1,600 game pieces that they plan to magnetize for easier handling.
Purcell, who is playing as the Axis forces, noted that they have not yet punched out the German pieces. They will not need those components for about five years. The game requires tracking aircraft, truck convoys, land units, supply dumps, water usage, and fuel evaporation. The rules are so detailed that they include a pasta rule, which dictates that Italian forces need extra water to boil their pasta rations.
Accountability Through Podcasting
Before starting the actual game, the duo spent 99 podcast episodes documenting their preparation. They launched a weekly podcast called War With a Mate to chronicle their journey. Purcell explained that they needed an external audience to keep them accountable. Without the podcast, they knew they might buy the game and give up within two weeks.
The podcast allows listeners to follow their progress. It also creates social pressure to continue. If they back out, they will face the shame of being called out by their audience. The reaction from the board gaming community has been surprisingly positive. Many gamers are thankful that someone is attempting the game so they do not have to.
They met about 10 years ago at a house party. Purcell was singing in a bedroom when Taeger heard him and joined in. Their shared interest in games like Dungeons and Dragons and Yu-Gi-Oh helped solidify their friendship. When another friend mentioned The Campaign for North Africa, they decided to investigate. After watching videos and reading about it, they realized they had been thinking about the game for two weeks. By the end of a night at the pub, they were committed to trying it.
Rules and Realism
The game comes with a history book and seven rule books. Taeger, a software developer, and Purcell, a mental health worker, believe the designer was poking fun at players while also demonstrating thorough historical knowledge. They plan to play at Taeger’s flat, though they will livestream the first day from a friend’s house.
Purcell believes that better decision-making can change the fate of the campaign. He does not think the game is destined to be historically accurate in a way that guarantees a loss for the Axis player. Both men think the game could end in a draw. Taeger said a loss might be better than a draw because it provides a definitive result. There is also a chance the game is simply not finishable.
The players are determined to take the game seriously. Taeger warned that making a mistake due to rushing could have consequences for the next 10 years. They are starting the first official turn on Friday evening for the 100th episode of their podcast.
Source: The Guardian
