Greetings!

One of the pleasures of traveling to various game shows is the opportunity to connect names with faces. This summer we got to do quite a bit of that. But while meeting a number of friendly faces, overall the amount of wargaming present at the shows was pretty thin. The best selling items for us (at least in sheer numbers) were some novelty computer mouse pads we had made up - which just goes to show which way the industry is headed. (Imagine, if you can, a computer game company making up some novelty counter trays for boardgamers as a comparison).

Are we then, in the Fifth Act of a Tragedy? Perhaps, in the words of Kevin Zucker, "...future social historians will look back and say that board wargaming was a late 20th century hobby, faddish in its day, much like MahJong was in the 1920s, but largely superseded by computer gaming once the costs became comparable...". Time will tell.

WHAT'S NEW

Wow! Six Days of Glory, Harpoon 4, and the long awaited 4th Edition La Bataille Rulesbook.

WORKS IN PROGRESS

(Editor's Note: In no case should any of the titles mentioned below be ordered until they're announced for sale. Also if a previously talked about title isn't mentioned here, we haven't abandoned it. There's only so much room and we try to concentrate on what's immanent).

La Belle Epoch - A scenario book for Napoleonic miniatures will be available in March 1997. Some of the 12 battles covered in their entirety are: Orthez, Rivoli, Auerstaedt, Marengo, Castiglione, Raab, and Talavera. The struggle for the Schewardino Redoubt from Borodino is also featured. Each scenario has a full page map, an order of battle, set up positions, and reinforcement times and locations as well as the ubiquitous victory conditions. An extensive historical commentary accompanys each scenario. Mike Ruttle has designed this scenario book as an adjunct

Flint & Steel - This is a set of miniatures rules for the Seven Years Wars and the American War of Independence will be released at Cold Wars 97. Each figure represents 33 men, distances are measured in inches (the scale of which varies depending on the size of the figures used. The rules can accommodate 5-25mm). It is a morale driven system, i.e., when usnits take casualties they both take morale checks and decrease their morale. Ammunition is tracked both for unit availability and in the case of cannon as to type. Four scenarios will be included, which taken as a whole run the gamut of battle sizes (Bunker Hill, Cowpens, Brandywine, and Kolin). A unique feature in this set is the inclusion of which units and commanders were available at what time and place for the entire AWI. A similar treatment, us also included for the Continental Wars. A scenario generator for both wars will also be included, along with a countersheet containing the order chits. Designed by Richard Kane, this system debuted at Historicon 96.

RUMORS OF WAR

The following game proposals are under considerahon here at Clash of Arms. Write and tell us what you think. Under no circumstances can these be ordered.

Leuthen - 1757 On December 5, 1757 on the frozen fields surrounding the Silesian village of Leuthen Frederick the Great with an army of 40,000 battle-hardened Prussian veterans attacked and routed an enemy force of about 60,000 Austrians, Hungarians, Bavarians and Wurttembergers commanded by the Hapsburg Prince Charles of Lorraine and Field-Marshal Leopold Daun, the victor of Kolin. Beyond its significance as a critical engagement in the Seven Years War, the battle at Leuthen (correctly pronounced Loy-ten) became the defining example of Frederican warfare and ranks with Cannae, Waterloo and Gettysburg as a classic battle of military history. As the third volume in the Battles from the Age of Reason (BAR) series Leuthen will cover the battle in a style fitting its importance and grandeur. The game ' s four 22x34 " maps include the portions (roughly three-quarters) of this huge battlefield where the significant actions occurred. The 280 counters represent every in nuances that distinguish the opposing armies. These include rules for the Prussian fortress guns (the famous Brummers) plus other artillery enhancements, special march capabilities, rules for allied contingents, Special Results and more. Professor Christopher Duffy's historical commentary (including maps and charts) has been written exclusively for the game and includes new material about the battle based on his recent research work in the Austrian Military Archives.

Funeral in Berlin - In April 1945, the city of Berlin became the backdrop to a vast Wagnerian epic of death and destruction. Wild stories of relief efforts and betrayal kept everyone's nerves on edge. Hitler hoped that Berlin would absorb any blow the Russians could mount, the defense inspired by his personal presense. The Red Army fought just as eagerly to put an end to facism, knowing this was the final battle. Funeral in Berlin, by designer John Prados, traces the final days of the doomed city using his Monty's DDay/Warsaw Rising ™ game system. Rocketarmed volksturm mobs, Nazi girl scouts, warweary panzergrenadiers, they're all in there. Plus, an optional role playing game is included for mutli-player fun. Each top ranking Nazi is represented by a player and faced with the same fundamental questions. Should they stay with Der Fuhrer and hope for a miracle? Or spend their time planning an escape while destroying evidence? Remember, the losers in this high stakes game risk being shot as traitors, captured by the Russians, or an all expenses paid appearence at Nuremberg! For the Soviets, both Zhukov and Koniev are determined that their troops will sieze the Reichstag first, even if barrages land "accidentally" on their comrade rivals! So, how does Hitler win? Well, it's hard to achieve but it can happen!

1643 - The War in the West - Over 350 years ago, during the English Civil War, a Somersetshire nobleman, Sir Ralph Hopton raised a small but effective army on behalf of King Charles I. This army grew in strength and smashed it's way eastward destroying all local opposition. It stormed Bristol (the second largest city in England) and overran the West Country. The effects of this campaign were eventually reversed by the Parliamentary New Model Army some two years later, but the benefits to the King's war effort were huge and a giant boost to his cause. 1643, The War in the West is a one map area movement game detailing this campaign as well as the Waller's Severn Valley campaign against Lord Herbert, and local royalists and Prince Rupert's forays into the area. Units are protrayed as regiments of infantry, cavalry, or dragoons (the most valuable troop type) with each strength point approximating 25 men. Every leader of note is included, from Hopton and Waller on down though James Chudleigh and Thomas Trenchard. Each turn is a month. Gamers familar with some of the larger ECW battles - Edgehill, Marston Moor and Newbury - can now refight the small but critical contests of Modbury, Ripple Field, and Roundway Down to name but a few. 1643, The War in the West is designed by Marcus Mitchell.

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