I would like to be able to announce splendid progress on The Fall of France, but that would be excessive optimism. Despite targetting the game for Origins 80, work has progressed only in fits and starts so that at this point we have still been unable to run more than a single playtest. That test was marred by the lack of Italian units, no air units, and ill-defined starting positions. Nevertheless, that one run-through did indicate that the game can work well at the Europa scale. Using the historical setups (as much as possible) and plans, the Germans burst through the Ardennes and to the Channel very much on schedule. The Allies, advancing into Belgium in simulation of the doomed Dyle Plan, were able to resist only because the playtesters attacked much more aggressively than did the historical French.

Since that game, much work has gone into revising OBs, strengths, and set-up positions, as well as reviewing the basic game systems. Among other things, the air combat and flak rules are expected to be totally overhauled. As soon as the new air system combat tables are devised, playtesting of the air operations can begin.

The development of the game is currently at a stage where it is impossible to know just what is in the package. There are also budgetary constraints involved (it would be nice to keep the price under $20). It looks like there will be two maps and six full sheets of counters (at 240 counters per sheet), with

rules and charts much like Marita-Merkur. We hope to have a full range of scenarios: a campaign game with complete mobilization schedules from 1939, compatible with Case White; the May invasion with historical set-ups and historical Allied operational constraints; the May invasion with free set-ups and no constraints; and a post-Dunkirk "Battle of France" scenario.

The projected release date for The Fall of France is still in the air, It may or may not be available by Christmas of this year. If not, then look for it shortly after the first of the year.

As a new Europa game comes into print, two older ones go out. The first two games released by GDW, Drang Nach Osten and Unentschieden (Europa I and II), are being withdrawn from the line pending major revision work. When current supplies are exhausted, there will be no more copies available. DNO is no longer available directly from GDW, but it should still be available on retail shelves and from various direct-mail specialty outlets. Unentschieden is still available from GDW, but stocks are low. Now is the time to make a move if you still need a copy of either game. We expect the revised editions of these two games to be available some time in 1981, perhaps at Origins.

Several inquiries have been received concerning the exact nature of the Narvik revisions. There are now two maps, upgraded in appearance to conform to the new, multi-color maps in Case White and Marita-Merkur,- a few modifications have also been made in the terrain analysis. The rules are nearly identical to the first edition in content, most changes merely integration of previous errata and clarifications. The charts are the same. The units are slightly revised by the addition of historical IDs and some juggling of factors. The Europa-scale Swedish Army is completely changed in line with new research. Do you need the new edition? If you are just interested in playing Narvik, there is no need for the new game. If you are a die-hard Europa fan, then you will want at least the new maps. Players desiring the two maps can obtain them from GDW for $7.00 ($3.00 each plus $1.00 postage and handling). There is no revision kit for Narvik.

Players of revised Narvik should also take note of this new erratum. Kristiansand airfield (map 10A, hex 4415) was accidentally omitted from the printed map.

Congratulations to the winners of the Origins 80 Drang Nach Osten tournament. Ably run by Robert Beyma (himself a distinguished DNO player and author of last issue's Unentschieden scenario), the tournament involved six teams of 3-4 players each and lasted the entire weekend. The winning team (German) was composed of Lee Tenney, Mark Tenney, and Craig Daniels.