James Purcell, 29, and Andy Taeger, 30, have committed to playing the entirety of "Campaign for North Africa," a complex board game released in 1978 that simulates the North African campaign of World War Two. The game involves 111 turns, with each turn representing one week of the war. The friends estimate the game will take approximately 1,500 hours to complete, projecting a 20-year timeline to fit it around their jobs and lives.
Their commitment began in October 2024, inspired by a casual mention of the game's legendary length and the claim that it had never been officially completed. Both Purcell, who works in mental health services, and Taeger, a software developer, were intrigued. They began by playing a six-turn practice run, which took 18 months to finish and ended in a draw. This practice session provided them with a deeper understanding of the game's intricate rules, which require meticulous tracking of resources such as ammunition, food, fuel, and even water evaporation.
Purcell is playing as the Axis forces (Germany, Italy, Japan), while Taeger controls the Commonwealth forces. Although the game is designed for up to 10 players, the two friends are managing with just the two of them. To maintain accountability and document their progress, they launched a podcast called "War With A Mate," which has already published over 90 episodes and gained a global following. Purcell noted that the podcast allows friends and family to follow their journey without being directly involved in the demanding gameplay.
Despite their shared enthusiasm, the demanding nature of the game has led to moments of frustration. Taeger described instances where a single dice roll could determine the outcome of a significant phase of the game, leading to tension. Purcell admitted to experiencing "hissy fits" due to the game's complexity and the realization of rule misinterpretations that necessitated strategic adjustments. To mitigate potential conflict, they incorporated a podcast segment called "Common Ground," where they must agree on a topic from each episode, regardless of how trivial.
The pair are set to officially begin the full "Campaign for North Africa" on October 30, which will coincide with the 100th episode of their podcast. Purcell expressed some apprehension about maintaining excitement over the two-decade span, fearing the initial enthusiasm might wane. However, Taeger believes the experience will have its highs and lows, and anticipates their "deteriorating mental state" will be a point of interest for listeners. They acknowledge that their lives will inevitably change over the next 20 years, with potential shifts in living circumstances and careers, making the board game a constant element throughout that period.