Convention Reports: Gateway '83,
National Model Soldier Show,
MassCon '83

by Paul Koch and Dennis Wang

Gateway 83 and National Model Show

by Paul Koch

As part of my duties as Civil War editor and the semi-official representative of THE COURIER in southern California I had the recent pleasure of attending two area conventions.

The first was the annual Labor Day weekend affair in nearby Anaheim entitled "STRATEGICON 83" or Gateway. It is a major event to boardgamers and to the fantasy gamers on the West Coast. This year proved no exception with over 1000 gaming fans crowding the hotel.

Things for the most part went as I had expected. At the door no one knew who I was, nor had any idea what I was there for. That was to demo "ON TO RICHMOND" and try to convince folks to buy a copy and subscribe to THE COURIER as well. After being shuffled back and forth from crowded room to crowded room everything was straightened out. The next three hours were consumed in a demonstration game of ON TO RICHMOND which was very well received.

A great many video games were in evidence including a total animation adventure called "Dragon's Lair" that I found fascinating. There was of course also wall to wall D&D games. In miniatures there was an air war battle in which HO model aircraft were ingeniously attached to six foot poles and maneuvered about. It appeared to be a cumbersome and bothersome effort but those who were involved seemed quite delighted with it. That is the final criteria of this hobby after all. There was the inevitable monster Napoleonic and micro armor games, proving once more that bigger is not better.

High point of this reporter's day however was his introduction to a new British publication entitled MINIATURE WARGAMES. I purchased all of the available back issues. Not since the demise of BATTLE has there been anything like this new magazine. There are quality articles by well known British gamers, but by far and away the best is the table top photography. Each issue contains eight full pages of full color pictures of some of the most beautifully painted figures one could imagine. They include a generous sampling of Peter Gilder's awe inspiring work that has been so prominant in military history books of late. Subscriptions are $36 for 12 issues from The Armory, 4145 Amos Ave., Baltimore MD 21215. 1 recommend it without reservation.

After saying farewell to Anaheim some three weeks later found your reporter at still another convention. This time the National Model Soldier Show in Pasadena.

From the beginning this show was very well and carefully organized. Admission costs were reasonable, events scheduled, and a bevy of princely door prizes.

For once there was a painting competition that was easy to find. I have been attending West Coast conventions for nearly four years now and this is the first at which I found the painting competition prominently displayed. I might also add that the level of painting was superb. Never again will a disparaging word of California painters escape these lips, it was excellent.

Another lovely touch of the show was the screening of films of interest to the wargamer and collector. It was disappointing however that these films were never announced on a regular schedule; that way one could have planned his day around "Waterloo", etc. Naturally your reporter's demonstration game conflicted with his favorite film.

The highlight of the miniature events was still another monster Napoleonic game put on by the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MODEL SOLDIER SOCIETY. This is a serious adult club featuring both collectors and miniature gamers, but seemingly no board or fantasy fanatics allowed. They feature large games by their own rules on a traveling 30 foot table. The terrain on this moving monster table is excellent. The members were friendly and knowledgable. Carriers in the greater LA area should take note. This Napoleonic game and my own Civil War pieces were chosen to appear on local TV which was very flattering. The single greatest shortcoming of this event was poor turnout. I doubt if more than 300 showed up. Still not a bad first effort. Bob King should be commended and encouraged to do it again. I, for one, will be back next year.

Masscon '83 Successful,/h3>

Dennis Wang

MASSCON '83 was the latest and best convention that we have put on to date. This year's convention attracted about 400 gamers and had 35 gaming events. These included FRP, computer, board and miniatures events. In addition to the gaming events were Society for Creative Anachronism bouts and free video movies. Over $450 in prizes were awarded to contestants.

Miniatures events included: 1. Sci-Fi Min (Starguard); 2. Amer. Civil War (Under the Old Flags); 3. WW II Armor - Eastern Front (Panzer Tactics); 4. WW II Armor -Western Front (Panzer Tactics); 5. Gunslinger (Wild West min.); 6. Wooden Ships and Iron Men; 7. Napoleonics (Empire III); 8. Starship Miniatures; 9. Melee.

Planning for MASSCON 84 has already started. We would very much like to have more miniatures events. Most of the historical miniatures events offered were sold out despite the fact that some were offered twice. Anyone whowishesto run an eventshould contact: MASSCON, POB 117, Amherst, MA 01004.

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