Good-bye, My Friend

On June 17 I buried my best friend who was killed in a traffic accident. His name was Joe Thomas. He was a Vietnam vet., serving in the United States Marine Corps. Joe was awarded several medals, including a purple heart with two leaves. He was 48 years old, 1eft a wife, two children and two grandchildren. I mention him here for his service to his country and for our close friendship. I want his name remembered and this is one way to do that.

Production Schedule for the next 12 months:

Here are the games that we intend to produce in the next year, Origins-to-Origins, or July '97 to July '98. March To Victory - July, WWI west front 1914-16. War Of Resistance - Aug/Sep, Japan invades China. Narvik-Jan/Feb '98, Collector Series redo, more stuff. Over There-May '98, WWI, the rest of the west front. Damned Die Hard-Jul '98, Philippines '41.

We will let you know:

In each case as a game production schedule kicks in on the big board we will contact with a post card giving you some of the details of the next release. We think this postcard notice is a good thing. Expense is not so bad, it is by first class so we get the address changes as they occur if if you have a forwarding order. Good deal.

Get Thee Behind Me, Satan:

Sales are still suffering due to the host of factors that I have gone over time and again. This trend may be with us for some time to come. But I got to tell you, my brothers, that suckle as they may be, we are still fully committed to the three tier system because we want to have retail stores sell our games, let me say it one more time, a better way: We want retail stores to STOCK and sell our games and magazines. We are taking steps to do just that. We have a gentleman who has a lot of experience in game store retail sales, who owns a retail store in St. Louis, and who loves Europa. His name is Kevin Fitzpatrick, his store is Games, Crafts, Hobbies & Stuff. He is now the head of Bureau 2 of GR/D (don't ask) and is gearing up. He wants your help, I want your help. Get to your local store, get them to stock our games and magazines, tell them it is their destiny.... tell them to contact Kevin through us, or me, or get on the list server, look for smoke signals, watch the skies. In other words do everything possible to build our community. Remember, your help is always important and gratefully accepted.

New Tech., new headaches:

Sadly we are lagging on production of the MTV, our first entry into WW I. We have a program we developed to do all the mapping for the series, and for the Glory and Europa series as well. As all new programs go, bugs, Mr. Rico, zillions of them. On the bright side, we are getting rid of them and we will have great capability when it is resolved. The unfortunate time delays will pay off later. For instance, four color maps inthe magazine. That would be nice. No, that would be very nice, or in other words, way cool.

Some Wacking Good News!!!

Sometime in August I will have the great pleasure and privilege of working directly with A.E. Goodwin, for in that month Mr. Goodwin will be joining us here in Grinnell as a member of our staff. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to this guy coming here to help out, and, how much it will help us all to have him here. This is a good thing. Of course Arthur will have the worderful experience of seasons again. Lovely, dulcet autumn, followed by our winter, but remember, Arthur is a former Marine, he can take anything.

Get Thee Behind Me, Satan, Part II:

Recently, as some of you know, I lost my server, no e-mail. A hacker got into my server and tried, among other things, to suck out all the e-mail from the data base. We have e-mail from folks who order games and give us credit card info. and this is what some hackers seek. Well, the protection system of the server did its job and the hacker did not get into the file. He did destroy all the software of the server. This was enough of a blow to cause the server to throw in the towel and hence, after about 10 days, I have a new server and a new e-mail address. Look in the box below and there it is.

euroboss@netins.net

X-Files Europa Project:

There is as group forming to finance connecting WitD with East Africa. When they approached me about this project I told them we would do it if they financed it. Now they have some backers and are interested in getting more. If you are interested, drop us a line here or e-mail me, I will get you connected. This project is over and above all other projects. No time line established, and no preorder requests.