I remember playing Scott Bowden's Empire III back in the mid-90s. While I don’t recall all the details, what stood out to me then was how incredibly complex the game was. It emphasized realism and depth, which is admirable. However, sometimes too much complexity can become overwhelming. I’m not knocking Empire III—it’s a well-crafted game and a true classic for those who have the time and dedication to invest in it. But not everyone has that kind of time.
Recently, some have alleged that I’ve taken ideas from the Empire system for my own game, NNNG. I want to address this directly: I have not copied, borrowed, or otherwise used anything from the Empire system—or from any other game, for that matter. The similarities people may see are likely due to the shared historical context that both games aim to represent. Many games in the Napoleonic genre can seem similar at first glance, but upon deeper examination, they show their differences.
Let me be clear: I don’t own a copy of Empire III, nor have I read the rules. The one time I tried to learn the system was about 30 years ago, and I didn’t get very far. For that reason, any resemblance between NNNG and Empire is purely coincidental. NNNG is entirely my own creation, built from my understanding of Napoleonic warfare and my desire to create a game that balances realism with playability.
I hope this clears up any confusion or misunderstandings. If you don’t like NNNG, that’s okay—I don’t expect everyone to enjoy the same things. But please, I ask that you refrain from spreading claims that are simply not true. I appreciate your understanding and thank you for taking the time to hear my side of the story.