Don't ask how Origins was this year. I have no idea! Besides a short stint in the GR/D booth I spent all of my time in the Europa games room, and it was definitely time well spent.

The room was very active this year, with lots of games played, discussed and pondered over. In addition to the de rigeur FitE/SE monster "in the corner", (see Chris Lundvall's report in this issue's Exchange - YW) there was the now customary SF as well. This kept five people occupied all convention and they certainly were having fun. This was a particular pleasure for me; not only is .SF by far my favorite E-game, but I actually got to push some counters around! (No, I wasn't playing, I made the great faux pas of correcting an illegal move for someone who wasn't there. Not to worry, I'm out of the hospital now ... )

The SF game was an interesting hard fought contest that oddly enough had all four players and the Allied CoS saying that their plans had been carried out! A few more weeks of game time might have told the tale, but everyone had a good time. Another big hit, as in '96, was Mark Royer and his War of Resistance, the Glory series game on the SinoJapanes conflict from '37 to 42. This is a great convention game. Four people, two per side, seem to handle things quite well and the strangest things seem to happen in this game, like Chinese offensives with the massive 4-6* Infantry divisions or the Japanese Navy losing Shanghai. Every time you walk by this table, something interesting is always going on. Eric Pierce and Arthur Goodwin were also in attendance, to show off their new games, March to Victory (for The Great War) and The Damned Die Hard (the Glory series game on the fall of the Philippines).

The Damned Die Hard, called by some wag, the "Narvik" of the Pacific, is a tight, exciting contest. While the Japanese are strong, competent and have the benefits of air and sea supremacy, the US has a bit of a clout too and any delay in the Japanese timetable can spell disaster. The playing area is relatively small, as Europa-class games go, and the counter density is quite low over most of the map. Another great game for a convention; quick set up time and you are into it right away. I always like to check out how the "edge of the Earth" Dutch colonials are doing down on the southern map-edge.

I have to say here that one of the things I really enjoyed about the war- room this year was the number of smaller games in evidence. Its difficult to play a monster game at the best of times, but there were lots of other choices this year. It is also nice to have the designers / developers right there. Its always a thrill for me to meet someone who's creation either has, or will have, brought me great gaming pleasure. Like Gary Stagliano, who had his A Winter War with him, complete with 50% blown up map, to alleviate Con eyestrain! In one game I was watching you could judge the fates and fortunes of each side by the hoots and groans rising from the gaming table! I got to watch Suomosalmi happen before my eyes, as Gary's motorized division got DR'd to the replacement pool by the dreaded Finnish ski units.

Our esteemed editor and rules judge, Rick Gayler was in attendance this year and enjoyed his replay of the Kiev 43 scenario. This is a great convention scenario, fast and easy to set up. Players were "shovin' cardboard" in no time. There was even a couple of run-throughs of the opening moves to War in the Desert. Without French North Africa or the Near East, the desert is a great little game for a convention. I was glad to see so many of the smaller games being played and hope that at the next E-fest even more will be. There are so many smaller scenarios available now as well that no one has to leave without playing something if they don't want to.

But of course, it's the gamers, as much as the games, that make the war room hum. There's always a fascinating, or passionate, or learned (usually all three!) discussion going on, with the likes of Jason Long, Jim Broshot, Frank Watson, or the man himself, John Astell, taking part. Everything from the relative merits of one naval system versus another to the climb rate of a Fiat, gets hauled out, thrashed about and explored in an atmosphere of friendly camaraderie. Everyone from newcomer to the old salt found a game, or topic that kept them busy and entertained. I learn more about how the games get designed, and how they're being played, from a few days at E-fest than from the rest of the year combined!

For next year GR/D is looking at ways to make the war room even better, although its pretty good right now! Since I'm skulking around all of the time anyway, Winston has graciously tasked me with running the room at the next Origins. While I have a few ideas of my own, I'd like to hear your thoughts as well; what can we do to make the room even better for you?

Let me know and we'll see what we can do. I urge everyone to make '98 the year they either attend again, or go for the first time. This year was a great success in the war room, thanks in no small part to Alan Tibbetts, who was this year's games master. Thanks for your part in making the room such a blast Alan! And let's make it even better next year.

If you get a vacation next year, do what you can to make Europafest your destination! Nothing quite matches an 8 AM game start, a lunch shared among new allies and new friends or the passionate 3 AM bull session. I had a great time and I want everyone else out there to have one too. Let me know how to make it happen and we will have the best attended and most enjoyable Europafest and War Room ever!