With the HIA show very much on our minds here at GAME TRADE NEWS, we decided to contact some retailers to ask if they were going to the show, and what they wanted to see from the manufacturers in 1986. Many retailers planned to attend the show in order to get previews of upcoming releases. "Yes, we are going. We want to see the previews of what will be released in '86," said Wayge Godfrey of Wargames West, Albuquerque, NM. Carol Monica of Games People Play, Boston, MA, agreed, "We're going to see what the manufacturers are going to be selling. We expect an '86 preview and we're interested in the ready-toship stuff " "We go mainly to see new product. We like time to get with the manufacturers-helping to promote hobby and retail sales," said Bill Keogh of Graceland Hobbyland, Columbus, OH. Of those not attending, only Dan Ackerman of Sword of the Phoenix ' Atlanta, GA, said, "No, too far." Most retailers, not going to the convention, were dissatisfied with the HIA, or felt the information could be gained elsewhere. "We're not going. Games are not served well by HIA, and they don't publicize GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association) dealers very well," said Ernie Couch of Games Shops, Tulsa, OK. Danny Kilbert of The Compleat Strategist, New York City, also feels the retailer has nothing to gain by going to the show. "I'm not going. HIA doesn't support GAMA or Adventure Games. There is no consistency to their policy. Two years ago in California, they did all these things. HIA is only for the manufacturers' benefit," he said. Bob Schwartz of Games Unlimited, Brentwood, PA, provided another reason. "No, we're not going. It's not worthwhile. There's nothing there (in terms of information) that's not available elsewhere, such as in your magazine. " To the question of what retailers want from the manufacturers, better communications was frequently mentioned. "Better coordination on production schedules. Release the product when it's promised," said Mike Kilbert of The Compleat Strategist. "What irks me," stated Ernie Couch, "is the manufacturers dropping product without warning the retailers. One company dropped old modules last year by discounting them through mail order." Several felt that manufacturers should be expanding the hobby. Danny Kilbert suggested, "Better advertising. Manufacturers could advertise more to the general public. " Bill Keogh agreed, "We're unhappy with the amount of advertising to get new people into the hobby. Make the pie bigger, don't slice it thinner." Carol Monica said that she would like to see the manufacturers change their order minimums and pay more attention to the small stores that carry only these products. Retailers also mentioned these improvements: agreement on the complexity scales appearing on the backs of game boxes and better education of manufacturers' representatives. Not all retailers concentrated on future improvements, "We're real pleased with GAMA:s members in '84 and '85. A tip of the hat to the companies. Retail pricing could be lower, especially on entry point items for systems," said Dan Ackerman. Back to Table of Contents -- Game News #11 To Game News List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1986 by Dana Lombardy. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com