At present,I am only aware of one company doing business in play-by-mail games: Flying Buffalo,Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona. They run several quality programs, and their customer service is first-rate. A long-time provider of such games, I can wholeheartedly recommend them to the prospective customer, as I can assure you the foundation of FBI is stable, and there are no problems with their rules or administration. One can choose from games for control of Europe, Central and South America, the entire world, outer space, neo-political maneuvering, and several more-with slow, fast, or electronic turn-around. One may even play anonymously should one choose to do so. I know of, nor would I recommend personally, no other service provider-at least until they have built up a reputation for solidity and service such as FBI has.

In the arena of boardgames played by mail, I note that Diplomacy still has an almost rabid following. More traditional wargames, like Third Reich, Stalingrad, Panzer Blitz, World In Flames, and others also enjoy a wide following. The demise of The General magazine from Avalon Hill has not been the death knell for play-by-mail boardgaming as some had feared it might be. Opponents may still be found via the many clubs spread throughout North America and Europe, and I have lobbied the staff at Strategy&Tactics magazine to reinstate their personal ads-lets hope they receive my wishes. Even non-wargames,like Monopoly and chess are being played by mail these days.

In an offshoot of play-by-mail (and I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here! Hmmm, should the following be created as a new Committee-the Electronic & Computer Games Committee), there is currently a large growth of play on-line games available through/via the Internet. These typically involve multiple participants in grand scale, or, to a lesser degree,small-scale 'skirmishing' like that found in SOCOM:U.S.Navy SEALS-which, to my taste at least, though admittedly thoroughly thrilling for a while, runs too close to being an arcade-like 'shoot 'em up' game. Not very satisfying in the traditional wargame sense. Most online games are like that. A small minority focus on command decision, troop locations, strengths ,and movement, but unfortunately none have survived the hype of their announcements in the trade magazines, falling flat to problems with programming glitches, timing, and service provider incompatibility or inadequacy. A good idea in theory,I cannot yet recommend any online game that I know of. I think we are still a few years away from the successful,working operation of one to be truly worthwhile and frustration-free. Consider the effort to be in the growing stages,and be patient a while longer.

As always, I close my report with a plea for the membership: each and every Committee,and each and every Regional Director needs the help of volunteers to make his/her efforts more successful. As for myself, I am employed by the Federal Government, and the events of 9/11,Afghanistan, and Gulf War II have made my workload and free time that much more disproportionate. Hence, it will be virtually impossible for me to plan attending any Club meets, or Conventions -even within my own area-let alone nationally! Reporters in the 'field', game reviews, Club news, and anything of interest would be gratefully appreciated! Even a little help, collectively, goes a long way. Thank you