The Yin and the Yang:

In this column I am going to give some feedback to feedback that we received here at GR/D. There are two letters here with differing opinions as to what we are going to be doing, and in both cases they are correct.

The first letter below, followed by my response, cautions GR/D not to take our eyes off the prize:

Neil Martin, Minnesota

I am extremely disappointed in something I read in issue #33, In the Company Briefing section, future projects for GR/D were listed Included for 1994 was work on three games for Glory. I recall reading in the past year or two the statement that although Glory was going to be started, it would not use any of the regular Europa resources -- It appears this is no longer true

I strongly believe that Europa should be completed before work starts on Glory. This new direction is a significant setback to those of us who have been supporters of the system for years, and have been waiting patiently for Grand Europa, or whatever the final wrapup, put-it-all-together module will be called (if it ever is produced, which seems less and less likely). I will not consider purchasing any of the Glory games until Europa is completed, and I hope others who read this will take the same position. Finally, if there is no real intent to ever complete the Europa system, please be open and honest and let us know.

Okay, here is what I know...

The company began with a series of play aids designed for Europa games. As we evolved we took on more Europa products, then the trademark and copyrights.

Some folks expressed concern about the proposed schedule when we came out with Balkan Front. Some wanted us to skip all that and go right to Second Front. Well, we have the series planned out as you have read in this column. We are bringing the whole series back into print and adding games, like A Winter War, For Whom The Bell Tolls, and others. We even plan to accelerate the process by grouping some old games, as discussed.

We have not reallocated regular resources from Europa. I am not sure how you came to this conclusion, for I do not remember saying such a reallocation was going on. The Glory system is not taking resources from Europa now, nor will it in the future. Well, I am working on the island combat system, the tactical system as it were. A.E. Goodwin drew the map at the scale we wanted and provided some OB research for the game. That was all any other person did for the Glory games. Hardly a reallocation of resources.

Don't worry, Europa is the focus of what we are doing for now and in the future. It is the foundation of the company and will remain so until we have finished the project.

If a Glory game comes out before the end of the Europa series it will be as an adjunct to Europa. We are going into the PTO with the same operational-level system, and then we are going to offer more levels (strategic and tactical). The PTO was the USA's main effort during WWII, and it is essential for the overall project of producing a complete picture of the war.

The Glory concept has received some positive reviews from the distributors. This has encouraged me to continue to work on this project. As massive as Europa is, it pales when set next to the PTO. Glory also offers a chance to do some really neat naval actions.

And then we have ...

Jay Steiger, California

I would like to give my strongest endorsement to the World War I game proposals mentioned in issues #32 and #33. There is a huge hole in the gaming world where WWI is concerned, and these games would be perfect to fill it.

I do not feel, however, that WWI should become the new focus of GRD. WWII and Europa have been, and should remain, at the core of the efforts at GRID. I am also interested in Glory as a part of WWII, and I certainly do not want this new system to be pushed to the back.

So, I say ...

Okay, since I have already discussed this issue in some detail above, I won't repeat myself, but will continue...

Ever since I have been involved in gaming I have had an interest in WWI because of the nature of its history. When we saw the demo at Origins '93, we liked it. John Astell said it was the first time WWI was done the right way. Well, personal opinions aside, it is a real neat game series, developed and researched by people not directly related to, involved in, depended on, required, key to, part of daily operations of, directly responsible for, or in any other way at the core of the Europa series [so there] and it will be done and presented to you for your edification when the game is ready to go. Three games comprise the series: the war in west, the east, and the south.

First To Fight Reprint

The process has begun. When done you will be able to get new counter sheets to replace the SCUD counters from the last run. Since we are doing it in 240s, there will be five counter sheets instead of three. Members of the Association will be able to take a 20% discount. Watch for the ad, please do not call for the counter sheets until you see an ad for them in the magazine.

Finally ...

Philadelphia for Origins '95.

Coming Attractions

Issue #36 of The Europa Magazine will feature "Desert Cauldron." This action-packed Battle Scenario covers the Axis offensive against the British 8th Army at Gazala in the early summer of 194 1. Designer Frank E. Watson brings the campaign to life with award-winning flair.

Other material in the pipeline includes copious Second Front Designer's Notes, a wide-ranging examination of the Soviet Navy, an update of the scenario "Kasserine Crisis" using the new map 27 from Second Front, a spate of Europa battlefield reports, and several expanded Rules Court segments.

Also look for new installments of our regular features, such as Company Briefing, From the Editor, EXchange. And more ...

Europa Scenario Lineup

Europa scenarios in planning or development include:

"Eve of Destruction," by Combined Arms editor Flavio Carrillo, will focus on Operation Typhoon, the German drive to Moscow in late 1941. The scenario starts with the Vyazma-Bryansk encirclements in October and ends with the Soviet counterattack in early December.

- "Berlin: 1945," the end of the 1000-year Reich by Alan Tibbetts and Ray Kanarr. Extensive research continues on this difficult project.

"Drive to the Meuse," a Europa presentation of the Ardennes Offensive, on the same scale as the traditional Bulge games published by The Avalon Hill Game Company and SPI.

Second Front

It is 3/15/94 and Second Front has not yet been released. We mention this to dispel any false impressions that the game is out and about. With the game so close to completion, we had not wanted to say anything until we could make a definitive announcement, but saying nothing in our last issue seems to have created unintended confusion. Rest assured there will be plenty of fanfare when the blessed event finally occurs.

Europafest '94

Non-Stop Europa!

That's right! Once again, Europa fans will be able to enjoy an entire weekend of Europa. The Europafest area will be located in the Hilton Hotel (connected to the convention center) in the Plaza room. Bring your favorite game or come to play what is already there. There will be several monster games, A Winter War, and all the other great games in the Europa System. As an added feature, many of the designers along with some of the best players from around the world will be on hand.

Party!

Included in the cost of the Europafest ticket is a catered party. This is the annual get-together of the Europa crowd. You're invited to come share some food with the biggest names in Europa and wargaming. Food will be provided along with a cash bar. Europafest Seminar 1

Hosted by John Gee and Jeff Millefoglie Topic: Game: "For Whom The Bell Tolls" - Discussion of the historical events in and around the Spanish Civil War and the making of the game. Friday at 12:30pm.

Europafest Seminar 2

Hosted by Rick Gayler Topic: The Europa Magazine report. Talking about events and projects relative to the magazine. Future talk and gossip. Friday at 2:30pm.

Europafest Seminar 3

Hosted by Arthur Goodwin Topic: Mapping the Europa world. Arthur will discuss the project's new look with his work on the game maps. Friday at 4:30pm.

Europafest Seminar 4

Hosted by John Astell Topic: Europa, Grand Europa. John is the designer of the system and will talk about future games and the major linking rules set, Grand Europa. Saturday at 12:30pm

Europafest Seminar 5

Hosted by Winston Hamilton Topic: Company Plans. Winston delivers general information on Game Research/Design (the publisher of Europa), and talks about wargaming and Europa gaming in the future. Saturday at 2:30pm.

Europafest Seminar 6

Hosted by a very special Mystery Guest Topic: East Front. The Great Patriotic War and its impact on events in World War 11. Saturday at 4:30pm.

EUROPAFEST SCHEDULE

Gaming: Event # 21 - All weekend long
Party: Event # 21 - Exact time and activities to be announced
Seminarl: Event # 22 - Friday 12:30pm
Seminar 2: Event # 23 - Friday 2:30pm
Seminar 3: Event # 24 - Friday 4:30pm
Seminar 4: Event #25 - Saturday 12:30pm
Seminar 5: Event #26 - Saturday 2:30prn
Seminar 6: Event #27 - Saturday 4:30pm