Victory by Any Means (VBAM) is a generic wargaming campaign system.
Contents
History
Victory by Any Means began its existence in 2000. Originally a freelance project slated for publication by Agents of Gaming, who at the time held the Babylon 5 wargaming license, the Campaign Guide was at the time entitled Crossroads to Empire. Written largely by Jay Waschak and Byron Sinor, the guide was nearly ready to go to press when Agents of Gaming closed its doors.
Now homeless, the history of VBAM could have ended right there and then. However, the Campaign Guide had been written in a largely generic, modular format that allowed for the existing licensed materials to be removed from the book while keeping the entirety of the rules intact. Rather than let the book die, the authors decided to set out to find alternative avenues for publication. A brief relationship was developed with GeoHex before its closure, but they ultimately passed on the game system.
While courting publishers, the game's development team expanded. Former editors Steve Brindle and Tyrel Lohr joined the Victory by Any Means team and began adding their input to the process. New playtesters were recruited and work continued on the system.
The decision was finally reached to publish the Victory by Any Means Campaign Guide via the print-on-demand services provider, Data-Source, through its Wargamer label.
Products
Victory by Any Means Campaign Guide - This is the core rule book. The Guide provides rules for a generic sci-fi campaign system. This game is similar in concept to the venerable Starfire system.
Campaign Moderator's Companion - A rules supplement for the VBAM Campaign System. The Companion adds advanced rules that extend play and allow for the introduction of more detailed options.
The Menagerie - This book includes rules for creating custom races for the VBAM Campaign System. Over a hundred unique traits and nearly a dozen government types are included in this rule set.
Starmada Edition - The official source book to play VBAM Campaign System with Majestic 12's Starmada tactical game system. VBAM can be used as the campaign system for generating new Starmada tactical battles.
Stars Divided: Terran Civil War - An additional supplement for the Starmada Edition.
Jovian Chronicles Edition - An officially licensed sourcebook adapting the VBAM Campaign System to the universe of Dream Pod 9's Jovian Chronicles RPG. Due to expiration of the license, this product is no longer available as of October 15, 2011.
Fire as She Bears edition - A licensed supplement based on the Fire as She Bears rules for Napoleonic naval combat from Starboard Tack Press, presenting a campaign set during the Napoleonic era.