What is OGRE?

At the show today, I had a DOOT reader come up and say hi (thanks guys, you're the greatest).  One of the questions he asked me was "What is that game you're always talking about?"

Here's part of the description from the website:

Ogre and its sequel, G.E.V., are tactical ground combat games set in the late 21st century. In 2085 A.D., armored warfare is faster and deadlier than ever. Hovercraft, tanks and infantry slug it out with tactical nukes. But the most feared weapon of all needs no human guidance. It's the giant cybernetic tank called the Ogre.

A good way to think of it is Axis and Allies on a tactical level combined w/ Bolos. It is a turn based system played on a hex map.  Combat results are determined by a 6 sided die compared to an attack/defense ratio matrix. 

The introduction scenario places a company of infantry in powered armor, tanks, hovercraft and artillery on a nuclear blasted field.  Their job is to defend their command post.  The attacker has only one piece, an OGRE.  It's an even fight. 

The expansion, GEV (Ground Effect Vehicle aka hovercraft) different types of terrain are introduced along w/ new units.  Later expansions added additional unit types, scenarios, maps (which can be interconnected) and options. Cruise missiles, laser towers, armored buildings, alternate types of infantry, etc are included to give the OGRE's more things to crush. ;)

The latest edition (6th), called the "Designers Edition", was started on Kickstarter early last year.  It broke several records for funding at the time reaching nearly $1M.  It is positively huge with detailed, chipboard flat and 3D pieces showing not only vehicles butalso terrain modifications for endless customizations.  Several individuals/companies sponsored customized sheets of pieces representing different factions (like my Nihon sheet, Vatican Guard, etc), alternative terrain or campaign sets.

The basic rules take only a few minutes to learn but endless variations from straight slugging matches to specific conditions/missions.  I've played the game since I was about 10 yrs old and still enjoy every match.

THAT is the game I'm always talking about.