SALUTE 52
Hall of
Fame
A Tribute to Bryan Ansell
laser Burn
We like many gamers across the world, were deeply saddened by the death of Bryan Ansell in late 2023. He was arguably one of the most influential people in the world of wargaming that we enjoy today, notably in fantasy and science fiction markets, which he effectively created. Bryan is perhaps best known for his leadership at Games Workshop and his role in bringing Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 into existence. Through his companies he also played a significant part in advancing historical wargaming and role-playing games.
Our game Assault on Spaceport 17 payed tribute to Bryan using his Laserburn, Imperial Commander Rules form 1981. These were in many ways the Grandfather of 40K, with force blades, power and dreadnought armour, bolt guns and jet cycles that were carried forward and appear in Warhammer 40,000.
We set up three separate scenarios adapted from the Laserburn canon. players commanded a small Imperialist or Redemptionist force in a meeting engagement as these wrestle for control of Spaceport 17; a key transport hub in one of the galaxy’s outer worlds using period figures and terrain to transport you back to 80’s style sci-fi gaming. A host of vintage Asgard and Citadel miniatures were complemented by scratch built Laserburn vehicles and buildings recreated from Star Wars. Players competed to control the planet’s tractor beam, capture the Bounty Hunter Xavier Slann and to rescue or eliminate the Imperial Admiral Baron Soye.
