The Internet Tax Freedom Act is supported by Clinton to avoid a sales tax nightmare.This proposed law would place a national moratorium of up to 6 years on any taxes on internet transactions. If you're reading this, this is a proposal you should definitively be aware -- and perhaps supportive -- of. Currently, there are about 30,000 taxing entities across the nation. Any could attempt to impose taxes on internet-based transactions. Many are coveting the internet as a tax revenue source. However, to date there been no been any corresponding considerations for what value would be provided by the taxing entities in exchange for these taxes. Its just a blood sucking opportunity.

The broader issues here are (1) will such taxes dampen or distort the development of the internet, (2) are sales taxes, which are highly regressive by nature, an appropriate vehicle for tax assessment, and (3) who can assess taxes (e.g. can a state or even a small town tax all transactions that may occur on telecommunications lines running thru their borders; or, the age old question of whether a state can interfere with interstate commerce by imposing taxes where one party resides within the state).

GRD Revisited: In the last issue of this newsletter, I had commented on some of the plans announced by GRD (see Europa #58, p3, 2nd column). Winston Hamilton clarified some of the facts on which my comments were based in a phone conversation earlier today. In particular,

GRD is not halving its print run though it is printing significantly fewer copies of new games.

GRD does *not* wish to drop the traditional hobby distributors. However, Winston calculates that the *minimum* total preorders from hobby distributors must exceed 900 to make a new game viable thru this distribution method. March to Victory, which is just now out, received 1,000 such preorders.

The publication of Narvik 3rd later this year will be used to test the waters for direct sales only distribution. The intent is to make Narvik available to distributors after 90 days of direct sales only.

GRD wants to compensate for the limited retail distribution by selling direct via the internet in the future.

Last, Winston was adamant that March to Victory, like previous releases, is not "late."

This summary of our conversation adds further perspective to the broader issue of what's going on with the wargame industry, something I've spoken to many times in this newsletter.

Dean Essig, Davis Powell, and Chris Volny of the Gamers were seriously injured when their small plane crashed in late February. All are recovering from broken bones & such; Chris Volny's injuries appear to be most serious & slow to heal. Our best wishes to all 3 for a speedy and complete recovery.

New Game Releases

You can always view the most recent listing of New Game Releases at http://www.finegames.com/text/new_rel2.txt. This has been a notably slow spring for new releases. This month, only a few releases of note appeared. The biggest release by far has not yet arrived at the dance. GRD's long awaited March to Victory will soon arrive at distributors (together with Europa magazine #58). But copies arrived weeks ago at those who had preordered directly with GRD. Actual price is higher than previously listed; actual list is $96.

AH's November release, Atlantic Storm, just arrived. A slick looking card game of the naval war in the Atlantic from 1940-3 for 2-6 players, this game could well be a winner that is as if not *more* appealing to long time gamers as it is to beginners.

Wargamers’ Reference Guide, a 288pg index of 13 of the top board gaming magazines plus the complete library of SPI games, is now available from Fine Games. This is the most comprehensive indexing of hobby publications by article subject or title to date, and I recommend it on that basis.

1806, Kevin Zucker's latest Napoleonic game, is in stock. Smaller in both its components and game size than Napoleon at Bay 3rd, it still promises a fascinating look at the campaign that resulted in Jena-Auerstadt.

Army Group South, a graphic update of 2 of the original SPI quad game, arrived with S&T 188. What is surprising is that there are *no* credits beyond the original designers back in the late 70s. So we have a reprint here, not a true 2nd edition. The newest General 32/1 is in stock. It emphasizes StarshipTroopers '97 but also includes a small but must-have expansion for Dune. And the newest Critical Hit magazine, v4/#3, is also in stock. CH is now a glossy color mag. This issue focuses on Stalingrad and includes a map of the Grain Elevator area w/ several scenarios. Looks quite nice, a notable step up from even the good quality of recent mag issues.