HMGS PUBLISHES GUIDELINES The Historical Miniature Gaming Society in its efforts to promote the hobby, is publishing a series of guidelines for those presenting talks, lectures and seminars at wargaming conventions. It has been noted at past conventions that the quality of presentations termed "seminars" varies greatly. One of the basic problems is that the word "seminar" is used to describe anything from a very loose "bullsession", to a professionally prepared talk complete with slides, handout sheets, bibliographies, etc. While it is true that there are attendees who might prefer a bullsession, i.e., a non-structurd participatory roundtable requiring little or no preparation, the majority of people polled indicate that when they register for a seminar, they do expect a structured lecture. What has happened in the past, therefore, is that many people have come away vastly disappointed with the quality of the "seminar" for which they signed up, for which they paid a registration fee, and for which they received nothing of value. The guidelines contemplated by HMGS would, at the very least, define certain terms, i.e., seminar, talkfest, roundtable, workshop, etc., by means of which presentations would be described, so that those considering registering for an event would know, in advance, the scope of the program to be expected. The guidelines will also include a list of suggested procedures and technique which will help to upgrade a presentation. Tips on the use of audio-visual aids and public speaking hints will be part of the package, together with an audience evaluation sheet. This last evaluation sheet serves two purposes: first, it provides immediate feedback to the speaker informing him of the impression he made upon his audience. Second, it. provides, to a prospective audience, a guide as to which speakers present the most interesting, most worthwhile programs. It is to be stressed that the Society is not considering imposing a strict set of requirements on anyone. Nor is it attempting to set standards, nor force any speaker to format his presentation in a manner contrary to his desires, nor require any person or organization to follow its guidelines. What is being attempted is to clarify a situation now existing in which a prospective registrant has absolutely no idea of the scope of the "seminar" he sees published in a convention bulletin, nor of the type or quality of the presentation. The HMGS would appreciate hearing from readers of THE COURIER concerning their thoughts on the generation of such guidelines. -WALTER SIMON GEN CON EAST A BUST? Reports arriving here indicate that Gen Con East had a much smaller attendance than has come to be expected at these affairs. At least one Historical Figure Manufacturer packed up and left a day early. Many of the others report income an order of magnitude less than at previous shows. There were few if any historical events. The reasons given: Having to direct a large show from a 1000 miles away, no pre-registration, several conflicting events that same weekend (New York State Regents in progress; Philadelphia schools still in session; Rock Concert in direct competition; the Tall Ships in Philadelphia). It does not seem to this reporter that these events would account for any more than 100 drop in attendance unless one surmises that most of the attendance comes from the local area - this is hardly the case. Perhaps it is just one more indication of the softening fantasy market. At the time of this writing - Origins '82 with its more-than-usual emphasis on historical gaming events have over 2000 pre-registrants (an indication, based on Origins history of a 6000+ attendance!). RUMORS OF NEW RELEASES by Ken Bunger A high administration official in Pine Plains has said that they will re-release the MiniFig 25mm Seven Years War range this year. They also hope to re-release other ranges (or portions thereof) in 25mm, such as Marlborough, Thirty Years War and ECW. These will be sold on a mail order basis only. PLEASE send no letters to Mini Figs until an announcement appears. I've also heard that Stone Mountain will be doing a Seven Years War range. Their existing excellent AWI range has a number of useful figures for the S.Y.W. in 25mm. Hinchliffe has released a NEW 25mm AWI range in their -X- series. They're not available from Dallas at the time of this writing (March) however. Citadel is releasing a range of 25mm Marlbarian Figures. These will be available by mail-order from British sources. Christopher Duffy has been hard at work at Sandhurst. His book on the eighteenth century Russian military is finally published. Russia's Christopher Duffy has been hard at work at Sandhurst. His book on the eighteenth century Russian military is finally published. Russia's Military Way to the West is available from Routledge & Kegan Paul, Broadway House, Newton Road, Henley-On-Thames, Oxon RG9 1EN or any good bookseller. The price tag is of 15. Professor Duffy has also written but not yet published, the book The Military Life of Frederick the Great. REPORT FROM THE 1982 HIA SHOW by Jay Hadley The Hobby Industry of America 1982 Trade Show in Dallas, Texas saw over 40 adventure gaming companies represented. Of these companies Rai Partha, Miniature Figurines and Martian Metals announced new historical release for 1982. Ral Partha announced several new additions to both their 25mm 1200 A.D. line and 25mm Ancients line. In the 1200 A.D. group there will be four new Scottish infantry and one mounted knight. For ancient fans the long awaited Persian command group is finished as well as two new Gallic foot and two mounted Gauls. All will be ready for release on March 15th. In addition, for April 15 release, will be a complete line of 25mm Byzantine for 1200 A.D. Miniature Figurines will continue to expand their "super-detailed" 15mm range with releases of the Greek & Persian Wars under the name of "300 Spartans," Hannibal & Rome plus Austrian and Bavarian Napoleonic Armies. The most interesting new release for 1982 will be available next fall from Martian Metals. This new line will be entitled "Lee's Lieutenants" and consist of 10mm ACW figures. The line will offer a complete gaming system based on John Hill's upcoming ACW rules. Each blister pack will contain the proper mix of cadre and line troops based on Hill's suggested organization and will include bases and a full color paper flag. There will also be a complete line of scenery and buildings available. TRADITION FIGURES FROM SWEDEN Tradition Scandinavia is a new company formed in Sweden to produce the full range of tradition 30mm figures. With the old Minifig 30mm figures available in the U.S. as 'Fusilier Figures'(see The Courier Vol. III No. 3) it could be that 30mm might still make a comeback, The Tradition range comprises about 700 different models covering a wide variety of periods from Medieval to the Second World War. The prices run from $1.95 for most foot figures to $4.25 for standard bearers, mounted figures and gun models. An illustrated catalogue will be available later in the year. More details can be obtained from Tradition Scandinavia Ltd., POB 21170, S-100 31 Stockholm, Sweden. 'SLINGSHOT' TO REVIEW AMERICAN PRODUCTS John Boehm has been appointed an official reviewer for Slingshot. The official publication of The Society of Ancients. John will be responsible for a regular column entitled "Ctesias in America" which will supplement the regular Ctesias review feature. The purpose of this column is to review American products which may be of interest to Ancient and Medieval Wargamers and give them wider exposure in the U.K. through the pages of 'Slingshot'. Productsto be reviewed would include books, games, rules, magazines and miniature figures. Appropriate black and white pictures for printing as part of the columns will also be accepted. Anyone wishing to take advantage of some free (oralmost free) exposure through the pages of 'Slingshot' should contact John at 3120 Orwell, Lincoln, NE 68516. THE CITADEL GAMES RELEASE Citadel stores announce that they will release two historical boardgames this summer at Origins 'Broadsides and Boarding Parties' is a one-on-one between two 12 gun ships, each cannon and musket shot is resolved individually. 'IV Ceasers'is a diplomacy type strategic game of Mediterranean conquest for two to six players. The games are published by Citadel's Came Series in affiliation with Larry Harris, the designer of 'Axis and Allies'. GLEANINGS Savage and Soldier (Published quarterly, $3.00 for 4 issues) Lynn Bodin, 14219 NE 74th St., Redmond, WA 98052. Covering the Colonial period this magazine has some excellent articles. The last two issues have a lengthy description of Hicks' ill-fated Sudan Adventure, with accompanying maps and line drawings, which would make a nice Colonial mini- campaign. There's also a review column and a column entitled 'Talking Shop' which covers everything from figure conversion to battle reports. At present Lynn Bodin is looking for articles - anything related to the Colonial period. Contributers should write to him at the above address. Empires, Eagles and Lions (Published 8 times a year. $12.00 for 8 issues) RAFM, POB 62, Paris, Ontario N3L3E5. This digest sized magazine is dedicated to Napoleonic wargaming and attracts many knowledgeable contributors on the subject of Napoleonic tactics. Issue No. 63 (April 1982) contains articles on small arms fire effect by the prolific George Jeffrey, a criticism of Infantry Melees in Napoleonic Wargaming and a discussion of morale in wargames. As always the bulk of the issue is made up of letters to the editor discussing many aspects of warfare in the Napoleonic era. This issue has discussions on Cuirassiers in the Penisula, cavalry casualties, rally formations and the effectiveness of skirmishers. These dissertations are complete with bibliographies and/or quotes and translations from contemporary literature; all very professional. There are also reviews, uniform notes and a wargames column as well as painting hints and notes on figure adaptations. EE&L provides a valuable forum for amateur and professional historians that can benefit everyone with an interest in the Napoleonic period. After reading this issue I can introduce a regiment of Cuirassiers into a Peninsula campaign and not fear the screams of outrage from the Anglo/Spanish Players. EE&L is recommended. Arquebusier (published 6 times a year, free to members of the Pike and Shot Society) for information write Ian Wilson, 160 Winsford Avenue, Allesley Park, Coventry CV5 9NH, England. The latest issue to hand, January/February '82, has articles on the Korean Army of the Japanese Invasion; Painting the Cavalry of the New Model Army; The Monk in Armour (an account of the Life of Craf von Tilly) and a description of the missile weapons of the 16th century. The arquebusier has never been a 'fat' publication but there is always something of interest to the wargamer. Adventure Gaming (Pubished Monthly $19.00 for 12 months) Manzakk Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 12291, Norwood, OH 45212. The January 1982 edition carries the first in a series of Napoleonic Uniform plates covering Bavaria, Saxony and Confederation of the Rhine. The plates are in full colour and are accompanied by an article giving a brief history of The Bavarian Corps along with regimental names and O.B.'s for various key dates during the Napoleonic Wars. The text is written by George Nafziger. The plates are excellent reproductions of the originals by Leninhart and Humbertand are thoughfully placed in the center of the magazine sothey can be extracted and kept separately. Sometime in the future the full collection of plates will be published as a single offering outside the magazine. In the meantime I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. Also in this edition is a thoughtful article on obession with FRP and the potential dangers thereof (also applicableto other aspects of gaming), and examination of strategies of play in 'Divine Right' and Stalingrad, and variants of 'Risk' and 'Squad Leader'. There are also the usual reviews, cartoons and commentary columns. Adventure Gaming is open to suggestions concerning its contents. If you want to see more articles pertaining to miniatures or the Napoleonic period (and there have been some good ones in recent issues), write to Tim Kask at the above address and tell him so. The Avalon Hill General (Published Bi-Monthly, $9.00 per 6 issues) A-H Game Co., 4517 Hartford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. The General is the official organ of The Avalon Hill Came Co., and as such only covers products of that company. The range of games published by Avalon Hill is so large, however, that the content of the magazine is extermely varied with a record to the historical periods covered. The usual format is that one of the more popular games will be featured in detail with several articles. Examining various aspects of the game 'in depth', the remainder of the magazine examines the strategy and play of other A.H. Games. For example the November/December issue features Gladiator as the featured game and there are strategy articles on Luftwaffe, comments on an 1812 scenario from War and Peace and in interview alternatives for some games are discussed, another recurring theme in the General. if you have a favorite game, and the Generalfeatures it, then the magazine is an excellent buy. Anyone with even a passing interest in A.H. Games should pick up a copy once in a while to find out what's going on. It's not a magazine for the non-boardgamer. Gorget and Sash (Published Quarterly $10.00 for four issues) 5218 Landgrave Lane, Springfield, VA 22151. Subtitled The Journalof the Early Modern Warfare Society this publication covers the period from the end of the Middle Ages to the Seven Years War with a lot of emphasison the30 Year War Period. Volume 1 No 3 has articles on Wallenstein's Army at Lutzen; The Uniforms of Russian Generals 1764 to 1780; and The Evolution of The French Army in the 17th century. There's also an extensive Q & A column and an outline of rules to be used in playing a Renaissance Campaign Game. In addition there are book and figure review columns. it's a nice publication for those with an interest in the period. The Grenadier (Published Bi-Monthly. $12.50 for six issues) P.O. Box 23651, Oakland, CA 94623. Issue No 14 marks the birth of the new-style Grenadier. It has become independent of Game Designers' Workshop (whose wargaming organ is used to be) and is now under "The sole ownership" of it's editor and publisher Jeffrey Tibbets. The format has also changed. The Grenadier has gone from a digest to an 8x11 page size with a full cover and professional layout. There is still a lot of GDW material covered. The main article in this issue is on their Europa project and in particular, the Fall of France scenario. But there are also reviews of Beat to Quarters, the Knights and Magic rules by Arnold Hendrick and Forward to Richmond. There's also an excellent column giving short reviews of a variety of games and rules. I hope the new Grenadier will do well. Again the editor is seeking suggestions from the public on the contents and make-up of the magazine. In my opinion he can't go far wrong with the current format. Some miniatures articles would be nice though. The Nugget (published Bi-Monthly, $6.00 for six issues) Bob Cordery, 79 Combwell Crescent, Abbey Wood, London, SE 2. In the dispatch column of The Courier Volume 11 No. 5 we published a letter from Paddy Griffith announcing the formation in Britain of wargame discussion group Wargame Developments - to examine the direction of the hobby and provide a forum for new ideas in gaming. In particular better realism and playability in wargaming is one of the prime objectives of the group. The Nugget is the group's publication with the articles supplied by the members. There are no reviews advertisements or interviews. The magazine is basically a collection of letters to the editor from the members of W.D. It sounds pretty mediocre until you consider that these 'letters' arewritten by many of the leading figures in the hobby and that these are people who will be responsible for many of the future innovations in miniatures wargaming. I don't think the hobby would be doomed to stagnate without the influence of the Nugget but hopefully meaningful change will be accelerated by the existance of this group. One sour note is the treatment in the Nugget of the non-wargame development oriented gamers, referred to as "nurds". However there are recent signs that the nurds are fighting back. I hope so. it would be a pity if the Sages and Mages and high pooba's of wargaming forgot that most gamers enjoy an exciting game involving lots of (non-percentile) dice and not much realism once in a while. The Nugget comes recommended. FOLLOW-UP TO'ARMIES ON THE DANUBE' The next volume in the Armies of the Napoleonic Wars series released by Empire Games, Inc., will be Armies of the Glory Years 1805-1807. The book is being written by Scotty Bowden, Charlie Tarbox and Bob Holland and will focus on Grand Tactical and Tactical Doctrines of the opposing armies, as well as their training. Organization and deployment in battle. Extensive orders of battle will also be provided. After the success of Armies on the Danube I'm sure this volume will be eagerly awaited. OTHER MAGAZINE NOTES Although not really a magazine, Lou Zocchi Publishes a Broadsheet of his doings which includes reviews of many boardgames and gaming accessories, periodicals, computer games and miniatures. It's mostly fantasy stuff and the price is a (costly) 500. The latest issue can be obtained from Zocchi Distributors, 01956 Pass Road, Gulfport MS 39501. ERRATA In our report last issue on THE PACIFIC WARGAMES CONFERENCE we forgot to report that Norm Flarn of the LAST GRENADIER and Joe Janssen of THE BLACK WATCH ran an identical event with Mr. Jeffrey with equal success the following weekend in Burbank, CA. The joining of these two stores with THE GAMETABLE in sponsoring such an event shows what can be accomplished by hobby suppliers who want to do more than make a buck off the hobby - DICK BRYANT SUMMERCON '82 MIT Strategic Games Society-Aug. 6 to 8 at MIT Student Center. Registration: $4 at the door (less $1 preregistration) MIT student or SGS member $2 max. Historical Miniatures, Board Games, FRP, etc. Contact Paul Bean, MIT Strategic Games Society, MIT Walker Memorial, Cambridge Ma. 02139 or call 868-8331. CONVENTION NOTES GEORGE JEFFREY AT WEST COAST NAPOLEONIC SEMINAR Norm Flam of THE LAST GRENADIER and Joe Janssen of THE BLACK WATCH are again sponsoring a 2 day Napoleonic seminar (July 31-Augl) featuring Geprge Jeffrey. George will discuss Napoleonic Tactics and Grand Tactics and introduce his new book of that title (being published by THE COURIER PUBLISHING CO. INC.). For information call The Last Grenadier, (213~843-0951. Pacificon '82: The minatures coordinator for this convention Cynthia Leong Nuckols, is looking for people interested in Gamesmastering, teaching or demonstrating a miniatures event or organizing a competition tournament. Interested parties should contact Ms. Nuckols at 640 S. 11th St., San Jose, CA 95112. Miniatures tournaments already in hand are 25mm Ancients (WRG), 15mm Ancients (WRG) and 25mm Renaissance (WRG). These are being run by Hal Hoge who can be reached C/O the above address (in the convention calendar) for information. MassCon '82: Miniatures events planned are WWII Armour, ACW and WRG Ancients. There will possibly be demonstrations of 'Generalship Napoleonics' and 'Trireme', again contributors are being sought. Those interested in running an event should contact Dennis Wang at the above address. (see Convention Calendar) Suncoast Skirmishers: Numerous Minitures events are planned including Mirco- armour, Napoleonics, ACW, British Colonials, Ancients and Medieval. There will also be board games and seminars covering all periods of history. There will be special guest speakers from the US Army and Air Force. Additional information from the above address (convention calendar) or call Joseph Brimer at (813) 830-4579. Origins '83: Metro Detroit Gamers will be organizing Origins '83. Originally planned for June the convention will now take place on July 14-17 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. MDG ran the highly successful Origins '78. 5th NORBERT GISCLAIR ANCIENTS TOURNEY The 5th Norbert Gisclair Ancient Tourney will be held on September 11 and 12, 1982 at the Student Union of L.S.U., Baton Rouge, LA. For further information contact: Dudley Garidel, 7819 Blake Dr., Baton Rouge, LA. (504) 293-7165. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. III #6 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1982 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com