Courier Dispatch

HMGS-Midwest Will Sponsor Miniatures
at Gen Con/Origins 1988

by Dick Bryant

The headline defines a benchmarch both in the history of ORIGINS and in the history of Historical Miniature Gaming. Most gamers are aware of the controversy and sometimes acrimony that has colored the past relationship of TSR (and therefore, GEN CON) and Origins. it would seem, we fervently hope, that the past has been buried and a new era of friendly cooperation will endure. GEN CON has always been the largest gaming convention and this combination with Origins cannot but help the Historical Miniature Gamer. This is especially true as HMGS Midwest under the leadership of Todd Fisher has scooped the field and will be sponsoring the Historical Miniature presentation at Origins 88. The many gamers who have experienced the delight that a Little Wars convention brings can rest assured that the same flavor will be brought to Origins 88.

It is interesting to note that it is the primarily Fantasy oriented group (TSR) that sought the cooperation of HMGS-Midwest.

The perennial organizers of Origins on the east coast, Atlanticon, has not, it seems, asked any recognized representative of the Historical Gaming community to help with Origins 87.

Since the Atlanticon organization is made up exclusively of Fantasy and Board gamers, one can wonder what there will be to do for Historical gamers at Origins '87 in Baltimore on July 4th weekend.

To insure that Historical gamers do have a summer convention to which they are welcome, HMGS will hold HISTORICON '87 in Harrisburg PA July 16,17, 18, and 19. I understand that many, if not most, Historical dealers will be there, though most can't afford to go to both conventions.

Atlanticon has had a couple of poorly attended conventions of late, and one planned for the south was cancelled. None of these had any particular provision for historical gamers as they do for Fantasy and Board gamers. Perhaps the GEN CON example will help Origins organizers understand that, contrary to what is allegedly believed by them, they do need Historical Gamers for a successful convention.

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