Америка Азамат Соғысы стратегиялық ойыны

American Civil War tabletop wargame

A House Divided is a strategic level board wargame set in the American Civil War for two players, featuring point to point movement, low complexity rules, and relatively few counters to maneuver. It was designed by Frank Chadwick and published in 1981 by Game Designers Workshop (GDW).

There have been four editions, the first and second published by GDW in 1981 and 1989, a third edition by Phalanx Games B. V in 2001, and a fourth edition in 2012, published by Mayfair Games. The changes between the first and second edition were few, notably, some rules were changed, some new optional rules were added, and also the map came as four puzzle like pieces, instead of as one large, foldable map, as in the first edition. In addition, some piece designs wer altered and enlarged. The second edition was edited by Alan Emrich. At his website there is more about his thoughts on the game, as well as his "living" version of rules edition 3.1, which is based on changes he'd like to see. The third edition adopted a foldable cardboard plate as seen in other games, such as Axis & Allies, and also featured a brand new design for the pieces. The rules, however, remain virtually unchanged from the second edition.

In the September 1981 edition of Dragon (Issue 53), Bill Fawcett lauded the innovative movement system that eschewed the traditional hex grid. He also admired the combat system, which he found "moves quickly, and reality is enhanced by the addition of modifiers for such factors as entrenchments and river crossings." However, he was not impressed by the South's victory condition of simply capturing Washington, pointing out "This can mean victory to the South when it is losing on all other fronts, and it encourages a last minute lunge at the Union capital." However, Fawcett concluded on an upbeat note, saying, "A House Divided is fast moving, especially for a strategic level simulation. All the necessary elements are accounted for in only four pages of rules, and even a game lasting the 40 turn maximum takes less than a full evening of gaming. Though there is less 'color' than in a tactical game, A House Divided does an excellent job of recreating the problems and decisions that the top commanders of both sides constantly faced." In the January 1990 edition of Games International (Issue 12), Lee Brimmicombe Wood complimented the second edition, saying, "GDW have produced a second edition which has refined an excellent game yet further." He concluded by giving the game an excellent rating of 4.5 out of 5, noting that players who owned the first edition as well as new players "might well consider buying a copy of this edition [ ] there is something for everyone in this game and I can wholeheartedly recommend it." A House Divided was chosen for inclusion in the 2007 book Hobby Games: The 100 Best. S. Craig Taylor, Jr. commented, "For my money, a great game is one that allows the player to make a series of important or key decisions that directly and understandably reflect on victory or defeat. Games that imitate reality on the game's own selected level without bogging down in details are often referred to as elegant, and that, in one word, sums up the appeal of A House Divided, the little game that could, and places it unmistakably onto any list of the very best wargames."

At the 1982 Origins Awards, A House Divided won the Charles S. Roberts for Best Pre 20th Century Boardgame of 1981
At the 1990 Origins Awards, it won Best Pre 20th Century Boardgame of 1989.