Imperial Commander is a 15mm science fiction war game, based on the range of metal 'Laserburn' miniatures available from Tabletop Games. Written by Richard Halliwell and Bryan Ansell in 1981, the game still has a small but enthusiastic following. Battles take place between an oppressive, galaxy spanning 'Imperium' and the religious, fanatic 'Red Redemption'. Players take in turns to move, fight and command armies of between 20 and 50 miniature figures each, and following the rules, tabletop games lasting a few hours are played. This type of war game is played on a tabletop with miniature figures, vehicles and scenery. 2 or more players are required. An updated version of this game, called Imperial Commander 2 was in development, but because of copyright issues was never published.
The rules can (as of Sep 2007) still be purchased from a company called 15mm.co.uk
The background of Imperial commander and the rule system of Laserburn are an influence on Games Workshops Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game which was developed when Ansell and Halliwell were at Games Workshop and Citadel Miniatures. In addition it has been a major influence on the development of the BEAMSTRIKE rule set.
Famous quotes containing the words imperial and/or commander:
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Every commander is alone.”
—Michael Powell. Captain Lansdorff (Peter Finch)