GMT Talk Episode 10: Mark Herman

[@ExLibrisbyMikeBooklover]

Another great interview! I think it's no exaggeration saying Mark Herman is one of the top and most influential game designers.

[@estrathmeyer]

Love these episodes! Thanks to Rachel and Luke

[@chinapoliticsfromtheprovin6133]

It's easy to be a fan of Mark Herman as I am, in large part because he's such an intelligent and interesting person, and an outstanding game designer. This was an insightful and enjoyable interview, even amidst his frequent references to "teaching at the graduate level". One small note: there's not a lot of evidence to suggest that Mao Zedong played what is known as 'Go'. According to his associates and others who worked with him, Mao spent much of his leisure time reading and walking, with the rare game of mahjong, often with female assistants. Playing 'Go' and how it reveals Chinese stratagems is one of those myths about Mao that's been spread about and accepted as fact when the historical record indicates otherwise.

[@markherman50]

Thanks for the input, sorry I annoyed you, but in English I have two books written about GO (Wei Chi) and strategy that is the source of my information that Mao played Wei Chi and his translated writings do not have Mahjong references but what I stated. If you have better information or can supply a translated source that differs I would love to see it. As an aside, I am intentionally 'gaslighting you here', my female Chinese graduate students and I often spoke about their passion for Mahjong and how each of their local hometown regions had different versions on how to score. Interesting game that I know how to play, but without any skill.

[@chinapoliticsfromtheprovin6133]

​@@markherman50 Thank you for your reply and, more importantly, your game designs. My sense is that the reference by Wei Chi authors to Mao playing the game is much as means of marketing their work as anything else. Mao's writings, in the original Chinese and translations of military writings, contain the odd reference to Wei Chi largely as a means of conveying his meaning to those less conversant with strategy. He knew what the game involved to be sure, but he appears to believed that the less educated conscripts and even some of his NCOs and officer corps would understand his thoughts on military strategy if couched in terms they were familiar with. When I have asked Chinese military personnel in the past (when it was more possible to do so) if Mao used Wei Chi as an influence, everyone who had a view said that they'd never heard that and certainly were never taught that. What I suspect is happening in some of the writings one encounters is that some folks see a connection from Wei Chi to Mao's guerilla strategy and then assuming because he is Chinese, conclude that surely he must have been a master at it. But Mao's main English language translator has written that Mao was lousy at and largely uninterested in games, especially cards. His personal physician wrote that while Mao played the odd game of mahjong, he largely did so with young female assistants for other purposes. Thank you again.

[@gillesderais3848]

Priceless.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Wow. What an amazing video. Mark Herman is such a fascinating person to listen to. This is just an incredible video on so many levels. Thanks to everyone involved for bringing this remarkable video to all of us out here in the hobby. 🥃Cheers! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@rockhopper01]

Great interview! I have an idea that Pericles might be a good basis for a 4-player 2-sided American Revolution game, as a counter to Liberty or Death, the COIN game. Take Pericles, where one side is the American Patriots (the Continental Army, militias, Congress) and British Sympathizers (pro-American elements such as certain Parliament members, merchants, etc) against the British military (army, navy) and American Loyalists. Issues could be campaign plans, foreign diplomacy, politics, and such.

[@Wonderflonium]

Great interview!

[@4Xscalper]

Mark Herman: "Remember this was like 1991". Me: "Huh? That was like yesterday." Great Stuff you guys, Lovin' It!

[@YvesRince]

Brilliant 🤘

[@wsclulin]

Interview him monthly...!

[@lesliedavis775]

I nominate Mark for the 2024 Charlie Roberts Wargame Kibitzing award (nobody does it better). I also want to take this opportunity to nominate Frank Davis to the Wargame Nudnik Hall of Fame. I'm pretty sure Mark will second my nomination for my skill at annoying other designers, right, Mark?

[@estrathmeyer]

What president is directly behind Gene's head?

[@andrisimusmaximus5803]

I watch every interview with The Great One that I can find.