Rick Priestley on Narrative Wargaming: Part One

Rick Priestley on Narrative Wargaming: Part One

Author: Bedroom Battlefields December 16, 2025 Duration: 41:02

We've seen some large-scale narrative games take place within the Bedroom Battlefields community these past couple of years. But is this approach often overlooked in favour of "balanced" points-based pitched battles?

Jason and Mark from the Bedroom Battlefields community sit down with legendary game designer Rick Priestley to talk about the roots and future of narrative wargaming.

They explore how tabletop wargames were played before points lists and tournament balance took over, and why story-led, games master driven play still matters today. The conversation ranges from early Warhammer and historical wargaming to massive multiplayer battles, campaign play, and the creative freedom that comes from trusting the people around the table.

This is part one of a longer discussion, focusing on the shift from narrative play to competitive formats, and what was gained and lost along the way.

Topics include:

  • How wargames were played in the 1970s and early Warhammer era
  • Why Rick Priestley avoids points-based systems in his own games
  • The role of the games master in creating memorable experiences
  • The shared DNA between early wargaming and role-playing games
  • How commercial pressures reshaped Warhammer
  • Why narrative campaigns struggled to survive despite strong ideas


The result is a thoughtful, funny, and occasionally provocative conversation about play, creativity, and why wargames do not need to be hyper-competitive to be meaningful.

Part two continues in the next episode of the Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast.

Join the conversation:

If narrative gaming, story-led battles, or games with a games master resonate with you, you are welcome to join the Bedroom Battlefields Discord at bedroombattlefields.com/discord


Remember those afternoons spent hunched over a desk, a tiny brush in hand, trying to get the eyes just right on a Citadel miniature? Maybe your gateway was the grim darkness of Warhammer 40k, the dungeon-crawling of HeroQuest, or the claustrophobic corridors of Space Hulk. For many, life eventually pulled them away from those bedroom battlefields, only to draw them back decades later with a newfound appreciation and a whole new world of games to explore. That’s the shared journey at the heart of Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast. Hosted by Bedroom Battlefields, these conversations feel like catching up with old friends who never stopped thinking about the hobby. You’ll hear genuine discussions that dig into the tactile joy of painting an army, the strategic nuances of games like Frostgrave or Kings of War, and the simple pleasure of collecting miniatures that spark your imagination. It’s a space for those who understand that this pastime is more than a game; it’s a creative outlet, a historical deep-dive, and a social connector. Each episode explores the layers of the hobby, from brush techniques and kitbashing to campaign stories and rule debates, all with the warmth of shared nostalgia and a keen eye on the exciting present and future of tabletop gaming. This podcast is for the returning veteran and the curious newcomer alike, offering a welcoming audio companion for your next painting session or drive to the game store.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The YouTube Trap for Hobby Creators [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:21
We all love listening to conversations in the hobby, and we shouldn't lock them in a walled garden.
What's the Point in Points? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:14
Off the back of his epic two-part chat with Rick Priestley, Jason continues the narrative gaming thread with Gerry of OnTableTop/Beasts of War fame.
A Classic White Dwarf-Inspired Battle Report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:18
Hobgoblin is a really fun fantasy mass battle game. What makes it even more fun is pretending it's 1994 and you're making a battle report for White Dwarf. On this episode, we do just that! Hobgoblin in 15mmDoctor Spork's…
Your Hobby Updates: January 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:06
The monthly hobby update of the Bedroom Battlefields community. Submit a clip for next month's episodeJoin the DiscordHuman Blood Bowl teamThundercats MiniaturesThe Midlife Hobby Renaissance surveyAmazing Tales RPG bookD…
Gav Thorpe Q&A: Re-Roll From 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:54
I’m sure Gav Thorpe needs no introduction to any listener of this podcast, and he was kind enough to join me for a chat back in July 2023. The topics we covered were very much evergreen and as relevant today as they were…
Your Hobby Updates: December 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
The monthly hobby update of the Bedroom Battlefields community. Submit a clip for next month's episodeJoin the DiscordPhotos from our game of HobgoblinLatest YouTube vids
Rick Priestley on Narrative Wargaming: Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Narrative wargaming is often framed as a niche revival or a reaction against competitive play. Rick Priestley rejects that outright. Narrative play is not a rebellion. It is the foundation modern wargames were built on.B…
Your Hobby Updates: November 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:50
The monthly hobby update of the Bedroom Battlefields community. Submit your own clip for December right here. Oh, and here's a few pics of my 15mm Hobgoblin setup.