Techies

Military Technical Journal is a neat new entry into the military/history magazine world. The magazine, which is put out by Starlog of New York, features a wide array of articles and topics in its 84 pages. The Battles of Khe Sahn and Okinawa were covered in the premier issue, along with a look at Yom Kippur War, the USS Enterprise, and the C­17 Transport. All of the articles are well written and accompanied by pictures or excellent iflustrations.

The magazine has departments (covering the likes of Bookshelf Briefing, Regalia of... and Future Tech) and features (covering seven different battles/campaigns or weapons systems). In addition, there is a foldout schematic section that gives the reader a detailed look at various weapons and weapons systems.

The variety, graphics, and great articles combine to make an exceptional magazine. It is more technical than Command, glossier than Jane's, and more informal than Cowles. Well worth the cover price of $6.99 per issue. Subscription information can be had from Military Tecbnical journal, Starlog Entertainment Group, 475 Park Ave South, New York, N.Y. 10016. The only drawback is that the magazine is published bimonthly instead of monthly.

The Little General

New to the ranks of gaming magazines is the Boardgamer, which premiered in August, 1995. The 20­page, black-and-white magazine is dedicated to the competitive play of Avalon Hill/Victory Games board, sports, and card games.

The premier issue featured seven articles, including the likes of "De­Randomizing the Circus," "The Winning Candidate," and Random Play in 1830. The articles, which are all nicely done, concentrate on giving the players new tips, hints, and suggestions for better play.

The magazine also gives the AREA ratings for the gambit of rated games. If you want to know who the top Advanced Squad Leader player is, simply check out the AREA ratings. So why have another magazine dedicated to AH? Editor Bruce Monnin succinctly points out that his magazine does not compete with the General but rather covers games that have been regulated to obscurity by the rapid pace of games production. In short, if you've got an AH/VG game that simply doesn't get the attention it deserves anymore, then this magazine is for you.

The Boardgamer is published quarterly. Subscriptions, at $13, can be obtained from 117 South Lincoln St., Minister, OH 45865. You can also contact Bruce on the Internet at B.Monnin@Genie.Geis.com.

Professor's Choice

Mind, Map, &Maneuver is a new journal dedicated to the pursuit of the Art of War. The 67-page, black­and-white journal premiered recently; it contains an interesting array of eclectic and esoteric articles on military and gaming theory. Topics range from the "Pillars of Napoleonic Scholarship" (in which the traditional reasons for Nappy's success are debunked) to "Why Can't I Find Challenging Computer Opponents" (which explores the problems of computer AI).

A reading of the articles shows that it is obvious that this view of the wargaming world is taken from high in the lofty towers of academia. Although many of the articles are interesting, most resound with the cry "listen to me, mortals, for I have the answer." Makes you appreciate your education. Still, it's a nice journey into how academia views wargames, history, and gaming design. (By the way, "Force March" does mean marching faster: force march pace is five miles per hour; "normal" march pace is three miles per hour). MM&M has an interesting array of articles and limited graphics - sort of an MHQ meets F&M affair. The journal is published monthly by the Resourceful Thinking Development Center, PO Box 337, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa 51054. Subscriptions are $55 a year.

A Labor of Love

Recently we received the premier issue of Vindicator, the journal of Metagaming games and classic science fiction wargames. The small 28-page journal, published by Michael Friend, covers all Metagaming games, including the larger boxed games, the microgames, and The Fantasy Trip RPG, as well as all the classic out-ofprint SF games from the 1970s and 1980s. This area has indeed been neglected for many years and it has a loyal following.

The articles in this issue feature, among others, an editorial, a code system for Fire When Ready, random number generation for PBM games, optional command and control rules for Chitin I and several situations for Chitin I. All of the articles are written by the editor; but they are interesting and serve the games they support very well.

Metagaming and SF games are a niche market that has been largely overlooked. Vindicator is following a growing trend of magazines that are returning to support the older classics in the gaming industry. If you're into Metagaming and SF this journal is for you. Subscriptions are $ 12, journal is published quarterly, address is Michael T. Friend, PO Box 384, Manlius, N.Y. 13104.

Another One Bites the Dust

Recently Historical Gamer magazine ended production. Editor William Biles confided in a letter that, although the magazine never made much of a profit, it was always fun to produce. However, in recent months the fun has departed, and Mr. Biles decided to cease publication. HG was a superb magazine that will be missed.

Insiders in the miniature field, to which HG catered, report that several companies who advertise in miniature magazines failed to pay for the advertising and left the magazine high and dry Perhaps the loss of fun to which Mr. Biles refers is due to one or more of these criminal advertisers. If indeed that is the case, then other magazines that deal with these advertisers may well be heading in the same direction.

The Courier

The Courier is one of the most prestigious of the miniatures magazines; and it well deserves the accolades it has received. Packed into its 66 pages are articles that cover the span of history.

All historically accurate articles are written with miniatures in mind. In addition to the general history, the articles include commentary on how to adapt the history to miniatures gaming. These articles include orders of battle, organization/tactics, rules, and maps.

Although a miniatures magazine, the articles were so well written that they will please board wargamers, history buffs, and general interest readers as well. In addition, the magazine contains regular department columns of "The Reviewing Stand," "The Courier Dispatch," "Dispatches From The Field", and "Volley Fire." These columns cover new releases, figures, rules and references, news of the hobby, and feedback. The magazine is also packed with advertisements from dozens of companies. Anyone who is anyone in the miniatures business is represented somewhere in the adds.

All in all, an excellent specialty magazine that has wide appeal in the wargaming market. The Courier is issued quarterly in December, March, June, and September. Subscriptions are $24 from PO Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403.