As we announced at Gen-Con in August, Origins '79 will be held at:

WIDENER COLLGE
CHESTER, PA.
June 22, 23, and 24, 1979

ABOUT THE SITE: We have chosen Widener College because we feel that it incorporates all of the necessary requirements for Origins.

Four major motels within 10 minutes driving time of the center, a large air- conditioned cafeteria, over 60 claaarooms, three lecture halls capable of seating over 400 people, 1000-plus dorm beds for those looking for inexpenaive housing, and over 20,000 square feet of dealer'a area.

Of course, we have also run our last 14 conventions at Widener so we are fully aware of its strengths and weaknesses.

TRANSPORTATION: Widener College is ideally located near three major highways along the Baltimore to Boston transportation system. Amtrak also runs directly through Chester. The airport (Philadelphia International) is only 15 minutes driving time away from the site.

We are currently looking into a number of bus and train charters from major metropolitan areas to Chester.

PROGRAM: We are currently in the planning atagea of organizing a complete and diverse program for the convention. While we tend to be a fairly conservative group, look for a broader range of how-to seminars, more popular tournaments, an expanded miniatures format, and a first-rate multi-media history of gaming.

PUBLICITY: The dates and place for the convention are set. When you mention Origins '79 please use our official address: ORIGINS '79, P.O. Box 282, Radnor, PA 19087.

We know from past experience that those attending Origina come from within 500 miles of the convention site. We hope to improve those statistics this year with an increased publicity drive designed to reach the gamer who does not normally attend conventions.

There will alao be a major drive to reach hobby shop owners and major population centers along the east coast.

ANNOUNCING the Second Annual Bus Ride of THE CITADEL WARGAMERS to Origins:

Leaving New London, Conn. Friday morning 20 July and returning Sunday night 22 July 1979. This assumes, of course, that the other side dose not have air superiority which would require us to go by night. Cost will be between $18 and $22 round trip.

Send SASE to: THE CITADEL, 171 Bridge St., Groton, CT 06340.

WARNING: Conflicting information about the dates and exact site of Origins '79 have been circulating ever since Origins '78. The above report is what we believe to be the latest and most accurate information -- but we are not 100% certain. We suggest you write to the official address above for confirmation. Naturally if this information is correct, The Citadel's chartered bus will not be going in July. We assume they will go to Origins whenever it is held, but to be sure write The Citadel at the address given. DSL

URSINE ENGINEERING wishes to announce that our popular man-to-man combat game, Swordplay, is now available in a new, improved second edition. In this edition a rules clarification is made and heavier paper is used for the pads, but our biggest improvement is the new cover and interior art by Bob Hagerty, the well-known fantasy and horoic artist from Indiana. Single copies of Swordplay sell for $5.00.

WANTED: Game moderators. Ursine Engineering is looking for reliable gamers to r un tournaments in Swordplay and The Conquest of Space at game conventions. We will provide prizes for the tournament and compensation for the moderator. Contact us for more information.

When The Conquest of Space was first issued a year and a half ago, we promised that new scenarios, rules clarifications and playing hints would be sent free to owners of the game. Now we are making good on that promise. The Conquest of Space Rules Update #1 is now available. Among other things, it contains an optional rule module for technological advancement. By spending raw materials units, players can conduct research which may bring them improvements in weapons technology, movement ability, etc.

The Rules Update also includes two new scenarios: one is a very challenging solitaire game and the other is a two-player game inspired by Battlestar Galactica. In the latter a new ship class is introduced, the Starstation, which is an enormous warp Ship with unique weapons and defensive capabilities. The Rules Update is available to all owners of The Conquest of Space and can be obtained by simply sending a request to us along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Finally we are most happy to announce a price reduction!!! Effective 1979, January 1, the suggested retail price of single copy of The Conquest of Space will be dropped from $9.00 to $7.50.

AUTOMATED SIMULATIONS is proud to announce a brand new wargame. Starfleet Orion is a fast-moving tactical space battle game played on a home microcomputer. Each player maneuvers one to six starships to escort transports, run a blockade, blow up an enemy battle station, or just destroy the enemy's starships. The game includes twelve playtested scenarios and rules for creating your own.

Starfleet Orion is played in turns, each player entering orders secretly. Playera allocate energy resources between drive, shields, and weapons systems. The computer acts as processor, resolving the action for the turn. If you hit a ship, it accumulates damage until it explodes. The CRT display shows the tactical position. Players can also display their ships' status.

The rules are fairly involved, but with the computer, the players needn't worry about them. There are no complex tables or difficult calculations. The game can literally be learned in a few minutes. Beginner scenarios are included for introducing people to the game.

Starfleet Orion, including two programs (on both cassette and as listings), Rulebook, Battle Manual, and Ship Control Sheets, is available from Automated Simulations, PO Box 4232, Mountain View, CA 94040, for $16.95. The version for Commodore PET (with 8K RAM) is available for shipment as of the end of December. The TRS-80 version will be available in January.

PLEASE NOTE: Lowry Enterprises has not seen this game and cannot vouch for its existence nor thu description nor the reliability of this company.

GAMEMASTERS NEEDED: Lowry Enterprises would like to find someone to run miniatures games in our name at Origins and/or other conventions using our rules, Grand Army or Ironclad. You would provide the miniatures. We will provide copies of the rules. You keep the entrance fees. (Origins, at least, allows only manufacturers/publishers to sponsor events using their games or rules.) If interested and qualified, write Don Lowry, P.O. Box 896, Fallbrook, CA. 92028.