To Joe Sariego, c/o Campaign magazine

Re: your letter asking for the major manufacturers to promote an Origins in the South.

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) decides where Origins will be each year, but we can only select among the sites that are offered to us. We don't ignore anyone -- anyone is welcome to make a bid. We seldom have more than two bids, and often have only one. What we need is an organization of some kind to make a credible bid and presentation.

As to "reasonable industry support" for regional cons, the industry already does that. I will personally be attending about nine conventions this year, and have sent, or will send employees to at react two more. And conventions I don't attend, I often send prizes to. All you need to do is ask, guys. (And show us that you are really putting on a convention.)

I personally would love to see an Origins in Dallas or Atlanta but we can't accept a bid from an organization that doesn't make a bid! (We get the same complaint from a few Canadians, and I give the same answer. I'd love to have Origins in Canada once also.)

Rick Loomis, Flying Buffalo, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ

Dear Don:

I really don't have too much in the way of comments about the reply to my article. I think both articles are saying the same thing. If you are a board gamer you are going to have some problems with this game. I did and I felt others would too.

However, I did point out in my article that I have learned how to play the game with some level of enjoyment. In addition, I also pointed out that now thal the reader knows what he's in for he might now be able to enjoy the game a little more.

I would also like to thank Chris for writing a reply that was even tempered and fair. Actually, I had been braced for far worse.

Lastly, if you are interested, I have been organizing my notes on how to play "Tanktics" in the hope of forming them into an article for those who would like to find out what's going on.

Well, I guess that is about it, Don, keep your head down and your bayonet fixed. I do.

Terry Treadaway, Marshall, AR

Don,

Although I still have a small interest in Squad Leader I must inform you that I will not be able to write any more magazine articles in the immediate future.

Due to other interests, and the long term neglect of my study of meditation, wargaming now has a very minimal place in my life.

Our relationship has been very interesting and enjoyable, and I deeply appreciate the interest you showed in my literary development. Lately, however, writing wargaming articles has been a battle, meaning it's time to move on to other interests.

Thanks for everything, and good luck with the magazine in 1982 (and beyond).

Lorrin Bird, Mechanicsville, NY

Thanks, Lorrin, for your many fine contributions. My main consolation is that I still have a nice backlog of your articles. Maybe by the time I print all of them you'll be in a writing mood again. --DSL

Dear Don,

I have an idea that I think might go over well. Why don't you have a survey every issue on what games people are playing? The General has one, but since it is the Avalon Hill mouthpiece, the results are totally biased. I think it would be very interesting and informative. People could list the 3 or 5 games they have played the most during the previous 2 months. Maybe it could be worked into your feedback somehow. Here is my list: 1. APBA Baseball, 2: The Alamo, 3: Cross of Iron, 4: Fortresss Europa, 5: A House Divided.

Sincerely, Mark Sager, Elmwood, IL.

Dear Don,

My apologies for taking so long to answer Mr. Duffield. As you can guess, I've been up to my ears in baby alligators. They're winning.

I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the vehemence of Mr. Duffield's attack. I see no reason to go into detail, as anyone who can count and tell time can see the weaknesses in his counter. Besides, Don Greenwood's letter left a rising mushroom cloud over Mr. Duffield's bleeding body.

What disturbs me at this point is that my main points are being lost in the gunsmoke. Let me try one more time. First, to paraphrase the feedback question, if Mr. Duffield and his friends were to run another Origins, would I lay out my hard-earned cash for a trip all the way across country? Yup.

Second, and more important, is the matter of continuity. The Game Manufacturers Association must develop a method of retaining and building on the knowledge gained by each group that runs an Origins. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach must be evaluated and passed on to the next group. Two or three thousand gamers and new, possibly interested, people are going to attend each Origins. The manner in which the con is run is going to have a ferocious impact. Improving Origins doesn't end with adding two more dealers' tables or one more amaze for the munchkins.

Anyone who thinks I'm overreacting should check the flyer for this year's Origins. The information content is a major step backwards. According to the flyer, the players in my Chickamauga tournament have either 8 or 20 straight hours of gaming! How did this happen? What was forgotten from last year to this?

A letter in the last issue complained that Origins hasn t been held in a Southern city. You answered, correctly, that someone has to run it and that has to be a local group. How do they do it, unless someone can serve as a repository of information, to get them over the seemingly impassable hurdles?

Can we hear some constructive comment, without the defensiveness?

Take care, Bill Watkins, River Edge, NJ

Mr. Lowry,

The review on Winterstorm in one aspect was very inaccurate. The OB data of much of the game and most of the scenarios, especially the relief attempt, is highly inaccurate. So much so, I cannot see how a reviewer could have missed it who is responsible.

The German war maps and Samsonov's book depict Winterstorm's blaring inaccuracies. The 306 for example, was not under 57th Corp, but across the Don, to its left. The several Luftwaffe divisions it notes in the scenario is gross, only the 15th Luftwaffe XX was present in the battle. The numerous Rumanian divisions in some instances are also wrong, the 23 PG is and was the 23Pz. The Russian OB is for the 51st Army, and is as messed up as are the 2Gds Army entrance and unit composition.

In other words, Winterstorm is impressive but flawed enough to reconsider its true value. It seems your reviewer was totally biased in favor of it, as even the rules are muddy. It is a reviewer's responsibility to give an accurate review, not a biased one. It's a good game, but don't take it too seriously.

The review on Battle over Britain was good for preview, is it a solitaire game?

Perry Moore, Santa Rosa, CA

Maybe the 23PG was the 23Pz, but I doubt if it is anymore. -- DSL

Dear Y'all:

Due to the demise of a certain large firm in New York, my budget now allows me to subscribe to Campaign. I'm sure this will give you a small amount of cheer. It wil also cheer the friend whose issues I've bummed these many years.

Rob Land, Houston, Texas