In early 1990, Wargames Research Group (WRG) of England released a set of miniatures rules for the period 3000 BC to 1477 AD called de Bellis Antiquitatis ("On Ancient War"), which has been known since simply as DBA. It quickly became popular for several reasons. First, it required as few as 50 figures per side (100 to refight an entire battle). Second, it can be played in a small area (2-feet square for 15mm figures). Third, it plays quickly (about an hour to complete a game), so it became a favorite system to use for tournaments at conventions. Fourth, it provided 180 different mixes of troop types (called army lists) for various nationalities, with two to four sub-variants (early Roman, late Roman, etc.).

Unfortunately, there was nothing equivalent readily available for the Napoleonic era until Chip Harrison designed Le Petit Empereur. Harrison noted that playing DBA motivated him to create LPE. Two issues directed the design: historical "feel" and playability. As Harrison explained: "Napoleonic combat presents some peculiar challenges to anyone designing an LPE style game: command, control and communications, the infantry square, and morale. The heart of LPE, the morale clock, is designed to tackle these factors on a macro level, leaving the players to consider tactical details. The morale clock does this by limiting a player's options as losses mount, by regulating the strength of infantry against cavalry (the essence of the infantry square question), and by presenting the player with a definite 'Oh, my God' point where the army has become aware of its flagging fortunes."

Harrison also tried to use some rules "to give more of a Napoleonic feel to the game" such as the use of light troops, cavalry going out of control, and each nationality having at least some feature unique to it.

The response to Le Petit Empereur "has been extremely gratifying. I have had e-mail from Europe and all over the U.S. Novices to gaming find it easy to comprehend . . . and experienced gamers seem to find a lot of deeper tactical issues to consider within it." Harrison also commented that "by combing flea markets and gaming tables at cons I have been able to piece together entire painted armies for less than $100, so it is also a financially reasonable game to play. . . . It is my fondest hope that LPE can be used to increase interest in this wonderfully colorful period, and that it will prove a solid vehicle to introduce novices to the fun of our hobby."

Game Review: Le Petit Empereur

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