Well here is the first issue of the New Theme Year. I think that you will all agree that Bill Protz is off to a fine beginning and I assure you that the stable of writers he has lined up is mind boggling. Enjoy!
COMPUTER CRASH AT THE COURIER
The Courier experienced a catastrophic computer crash on its address list of subscribers. I think that I was able to wholly reconstruct the list from the backup but it happened before I was able to back up some 200 renewals. So if you know of someone who did not get this issue, tell him to advise us as soon as possible. if he has not recently renewed, I will need an address label from his most recent issue, if possible. It will show his ending issue number. In the case of a recent renewal who is not getting his issue, I will need a xerox copy of the cancelled check with which he renewed. This is all to nip in the bud the many freeloaders who will try to take advantage of the situation for a free subscription. If your sub is not coming through and I don't have you on the list YOU WILL HAVE TO PROVE that you belong there. FAIR WARNING.
SUBTLE TEST
Most of you caught on to the red herring we included in the last Volley Fire. We included a non-existing article to see if the voters were paying attention. 27(!) people were not paying attention and rated this nonexistant article. Needless to say those rating sheets were not counted.
CONVENTION SEASON
Though there are conventions all year long, I think of the Historical Miniature convention season as starting with HMMC in late February and look forward to it after the long winter dry spell. This magazine has received some criticism of late about our promulgation of the Historical end of the hobby at the expense of FRP, especially when it comes to conventions.
There are many mixed conventions (those where historical, fantasy, science fiction, etc., are gamed side-byside) but only a few Historical only conventions. At the mixed conventions and especially to date at Origins, Historical gaming was given short shrift and was usually in the position of having fantasy or science fiction organizers decide on the historical events or refusing to understand that they had their own special needs for proper presentation.
More and more Historical gamers were staying away from these mixed conventions. The Courier and several other concerned historical gamers tried to stem the tide by the creation of HMGS and by helping the renaissance of the old-time Historical only Miniature convention.
When a convention is advertised as "not a cardboard counter or Orc in sight", it is not a slam at FRP gamers or boardgamers but advertisement to Historical gamers that it is the type of convention that they like to attend. They have been proving that by attending in ever-increasing number since HMGS started. Note the increasing number of Historical only conventions now occurring to what was true only four years ago.
I do not believe that any venture can do well by attempting to be all things to all people. The Courier tries to be good at Historical miniatures; it would be lousy at FRP. Smaller conventions (under 1000 attendees) should also try to specialize more and thus bring the best to their clientel. Now many gamers like more than one aspect of the hobby, and more power to them. But they should plan to attend more than one convention as they should subscribe to more than one magazine. Or they should attend Origins, the one convention that, when properly run, is large enough to cater to all tastes.
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