 | Philippe Hardy â Historical Game Designer
Philippe Hardy is a French historical wargame designer with 27 published games and over a decade of experience bringing history to the tabletop.
A long-time contributor to VaeVictis French magazine and collaborator with publishers such as Hexasim and Ludifolie, he has built a reputation for designing games that strike a careful balance between historical accuracy, clarity, and playability.
The Gold & Steel Series
Philippe is best known for his acclaimed Gold & Steel series, exploring the transformative wars of the late 15th and 16th centuries â a period where medieval warfare meets early modern innovation.
This series includes around ten titles, covering major conflicts such as:
The Burgundian Wars 1474-77
The War of the Public Weal 1465
The Brittany War of Independence 1487-91
Marignano 1515
The Conquest of Mexico 1519-1521
The Conquest of Peru 1532-37
The Conquest of Hungary 1526
Molodi 1572
Bicocca 1522 & Pavia 1525
Each game in the series is designed to deliver fast-paced, decision-driven gameplay while remaining grounded in solid historical research.
Sengoku Jidai Series
Philippe has also begun a new series focused on feudal Japanâs Sengoku Jidai, bringing his system-driven approach to one of historyâs most dynamic periods.
Published titles include:
Nagashino 1575
Shizugatake 1583
Sekigahara 1600
These games capture the tactical depth and political tension of Japanâs age of warring states, while maintaining accessibility and strong narrative immersion.
A Clear Design Philosophy
Philippeâs work is driven by a simple idea:
history should be both accurate and playable.
His systems emphasize:
meaningful strategic choices
elegant mechanics
strong historical immersion
Whether covering European battlefields or global campaigns, his designs aim to let players experience the real challenges faced by commanders of the past.
Today
As the founder of Serious Historical Games, Philippe continues to develop and publish titles that combine rigorous history, refined systems, and high production standards |
