I spoke with Tom Jolly, principle behind Jolly Games and designer of WizWar, DiskWar, and Drakon among others. We play-tested his newest design, "Six-Gun"; a card game loosely based on Wild West shoot-outs. Tom said even though it's a good game, the subject matter might be off-putting and he would have to publish it himself, something that he is trying to avoid these days. It is always easier to have someone else do the publishing if you can arrange it, Tom says, and the bulk of his design work now is with that goal foremost in mind.

Tom also said that the latest edition of WizWar was in the art stages and that the newest imprint of this classic would feature the best quality components yet and an all new counter, map, and card art. Tom is offering all SGS members a standing twenty per-cent discount on direct purchases under the Jolly Games imprint - no coupons required, just mention the SGS discount!

The current items stocked are: Knots - an abstract tile-laying strategy path-building board game. Boxed for $11.00 (SGS price: $8.80). Programmer's Nightmare - a card laying strategy path-building game very loosely based on computer program language/logic. Boxed for $12.00 (SGS price: $9.60). Nightmare - a card laying strategy path-building game very loosely based on computer program language/logic. Boxed for $12.00 (SGS price: $9.60). G.O.O.T.M.U. - a race and chase strategy game with a modular (tile-built) board where players try to retrieve the various components of their Get Out Of The Maze Unit while frustrating the other players' efforts to do the same. Boxed for $ 14.00 (SGS price $11.20). Shipping in the USA is $3.50 for one game, $3.95 for two or more. Ca residents add 7.75% sales tax. For more information or to place an order, write to Jolly Games 3236 Peacock Lane, Santa Maria CA 93455 or, for the postally challenged go to http://www.jollygames.net (http://www.jollygames.com is the WRONG site).

I also spoke with Japji Khalsa, principle behind Khalsa Brain Games and KublaCon - the large Bay-Area Game Convention that will take place on the Memorial Day Holiday week-end at the Oakland Airport Hilton. Japji had been running the Mana-Fest CCG convention since 1994 and had been looking for ways to "brand" the show - which had been held in several different locations and on several different dates. He also wanted to expand the appeal of his show beyond Collectable Card Game players. That opportunity came in October of 2000 when he was able to absorb the assets of the Games Caucus Convention. This gave Japji a Collectable Card Game players. That opportunity came in October of 2000 when he was able to absorb the assets of the Games Caucus Convention. This gave Japji a permanent time slot (the Memorial Day Holiday weekend) and place (the Oakland Airport Hilton) for his show and the expanded appeal he wanted. Keeping the best of both organizations, he changed the name of the show to KublaCon and ran the first combined show in 2001. Japji says that KublaCon is about having fun and has managed to leave any unpleasant game-politics behind and that what makes the show so good is the team he assembled from the merger of the two organizations. "We have the best and most enthusiastic people on our team. They are all dedicated to making KublaCon the best run and most enjoyable show possible."

In addition to KublaCon, Japji runs Khalsa Brain Games. They manufacture generic and game-specific playing mats for CCG's and pewter miniature race cars for use in such games as Formula De or Speed Circuit and the like. Information can be had by writing to Khalsa Brain Games, PO Box 170436, San Francisco CA 94117 or by visiting the website http://www.kbgames.com or http://www.kublacon.com or by using the toll-free hotline 1 866 kublacon (582-5226)