Origins '93 & Europafest

This year, as you may already know, Origins is being held in Fort Worth, TX There are preregistration forms on the last two pages of this magazine that lay out the initial plans for this year's fest, including our first ever national tourney based on a modified Leningrad 1941 scenario. If you are planning to attend this year's Origins, you might want to take a shot at the tourney, attend the party, and watch the demos--all of which will be at the fest. Details of our plans will be in the preregistration book that will be sent to those who have preregistered for the convention.

Origins '94

In 1994 we will be at San Jose, CA, for the 20th anniversary Origins. No exact plans have been made for this convention. Details will be forthcoming.

Origins in the Future

There has been considerable talk about fixing Origins in a permanent site and you, my brothers and sisters, have been chosen to answer the question: What do you think of holding Origins in one place-forever? Now, before you think further, here are some facts. There are three cities in contention for this: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Columbus. If you live in any of these cities, you would love to have Origins there. Okay.

But what about the idea of fixing the site so that GAMA can reduce the price you have to pay for services such as hotel and air fare, food, fees for the convention and all the rest? That is the intent behind fixing the site. Plus, if we establish a permanent site, we will have fewer problems to deal with for each future convention (that's the theory, anyway) and we'd be able to do a better job for you.

I speak now as both GRD and as the Executive Director of GAMA when I ask you to consider the fixed- site idea and let me know what you think by phone, fax, or letter. Write to me at: PO Box 570, Grinnell, IA 50112. GAMA would like you hear some feedback from consumers on this and you are one of the test markets.

GRD Doubles Its Paid Staff

John Astell, Rick Gayler, and I discussed the fact that GRD's work load is increasing and that we need more paid staff. That's right, it's official, we are now a two-horse company.

Frankly, we needed more help in the day-to-day operations to get more product out, increase our efficiency in getting things out to you on time, and getting some of the b ricks-a nd - sticks work done. All of this is necessary to make GRD a better company.

With that in mind I was authorized to offer a full-time position to Victor Hauser. He accepted, and is now living and working here in Grinnell. This is a major development for GRD (and Victor). It fits into the five-year planning cycle that I create for my business. We are now in year 2 of Plan 2 for GRD and I had planned to have two full-time staff.

With Victor here, GRD should also be able to get some more goodies out to you such as a complete guide, cross-indexed, of magazine articles from all the past issues of TEM; a new version of Europa-By-Mail; and who knows what else. Film at 11.

Second Front Map Sets

To play the scenario that comes in this issue of the magazine you need the Second Front maps. We are in the process of stripping the negatives for the maps and will be printing the maps later this month. We are going to offer you a preproduction map set for SF as we did when First to Fight was in its final stage of production.

All members of the Europa Association can get this 4-map set at a reduced price of $15. Non-members can get the set for $20. We will only sell these maps in complete sets, and once you have the set, you'll be able to play the scenario in this issue. We are making this offer due to the demand that we've received for the SF maps. However, don't send us your money until you receive notice from us that the maps are ready. As a reminder, we will be sending post cards to our members who have not yet resubscribed for 1993, and at the same time we will announce that the maps are ready for purchase.

Well, you know what this means don't you my brothers and sisters, yes, we grind closer to the day when that game, the mother of all Europa games, comes to you.

Odds and Ends

The page count of the magazine may be going up this year. We are looking at the impact of increasing the magazine from 48 to 52 pages. We certainly have the material to put in the space.

Also, we now have a new press and may be able to do 4-color covers. I don't think that matters to our Association members, but it just might help store sales and sales in general.

Fresno Gaming Association has departed the scene due to a host of circumstances. Those of you who had a subscription to their magazine should have been contacted as to the final disposition. As I understand it, a company in Washington state purchased the stock, but will not publish future issues. Also, there will not be any of the announced products that appeared in the final issue. By the way, if you have copies of FGA's magazines you now have collector's items. Keep them in good shape; you might get some bucks for them.