Greg Novak (September 4, 1950 – March 7, 2012) was a
wargame
A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a realistic simulation of an armed conflict. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to s ...
designer, author of dozens of games, rules supplements and scenario books, his most notable contributions including the Volley & Bayonet series and several works about the
American War of Independence.
Biography
Born on September 4, 1950, in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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, son of George and Sylvia (Stepnowski) Novak, and married to Donna Oakes Gerbino on July 19, 1997, Greg Novak worked as a librarian at Edison and Jefferson middle schools for 31 years, and for the Champaign Office of Education. He was active in the Champaign Teachers Federation, serving as a building steward, member of the collective bargaining unit, vice president and president. Upon his retirement he was elected to the Champaign Board of Education. After his death Champaign Unit 4 Schools named their Alternative High School facility in his honor.
Wargaming
Greg Novak was a key figure in the
wargaming
A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a realistic simulation of an armed conflict. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to s ...
hobby, leaving a lasting and internationally recognized legacy both as an author and as a promoter of wargaming events. Among his main contributions as an author should be listed :
Boardgames
* ''
Guilford Courthouse'' (Series 120) – GDW1978
Rules
* ''Fire and Steel - Rules for Battles with System 7 Napoleonics'', GDW 1978 (with
John Harshman and
Rich Banner)
* ''Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972'', Ulster Imports 1988 (with John Reeves)
* ''Yellow Ribbon : Rules for the Indian Wars, 1850-1890'', Ulster Imports 1988
* ''Over the Top'', WW1 Command Decision series rules, GDW 1990
* ''Volley & Bayonet'', GDW 1994 (with
Frank Chadwick
Frank Chadwick is an American multiple-award-winning game designer and ''New York Times'' best selling author. He has designed hundreds of games, his most notable being the role-playing games ''En Garde!'', '' Space: 1889'' and ''Twilight 2000' ...
)
* ''Charlie Company - Infantry Combat in Vietnam 1965-1972'' (2nd ed),
RAFM 1997 (with John Reeves)
* ''Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory'', TOB Games 2008 (with Frank Chadwick)
Rules supplements and Scenario books
* ''And Continually Wear the Blue: A Short Guide to the U.S. Army & the 'Indian Wars' 1850-90'', RAFM 1989 (with Mike Gilbert).
* ''A Guide to the American War of Independence in the North'', Ulster Imports 1990
* ''Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain : Being a Wargamer's Guide to the Spanish American War 1898'', Ulster Imports, 1990
* ''Battles of the American Civil War – A Volley & Bayonet supplement'', GDW 1994
* ''The Rough Riders - Vol.1: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish–American War'', GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick).
* ''The Rough Riders - Vol.2: A Volley & Bayonet Supplement for the Spanish–American War'', GDW 1999 (with Frank Chadwick).
* ''The American War of Independence - Book 1: The Northern Campaigns'', Old Glory
* ''The American War of Independence - Book 2: The Southern Campaigns'', Old Glory
Greg Novak was also Editor of the ''Command Post Quarterly'' magazine (published by the GDW and Emperor's Headquarters)-
Awards
Member of the Legion of Honour, Historical Miniatures Gaming Society - East
References
External links
Bring up the rear (Greg Novak's blog)*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Novak, Greg
School board members in Illinois
Board game designers
1950 births
2012 deaths