Well, it's finally arrived! The 5th issue of Kriegspieler has hit the stands and we're quite pleased with our new beast. We've thought long and hard about the direction the magazine should take and taken on board the suggestions from our fellow wargamers across Australia. It is our intention that this magazine should be THE forum for historical wargamers throughout Australia and New Zealand and, as a result, we've broadened the range of Kriegspieler to include ALL historical periods and types of wargaming. In addition to the new appearance and layout of the magazine, in our Club Contact page we will be publishing the contact details for every organised wargaming group or club in Australasia. So if you'd like to see the details of your club published or have an event associated with your club or group that you'd like to promote then drop us a line (Email or post - addresses in the front of the magazine) with the relevant details. You may have gotten a hint of the new 'flavour' of Kriegspieler from the cover art! The warrior depicted represents a 10th century Russian 'Druzhina' or elite guard of richly dressed and equipped young nobles (note the similarities in dress to Duke William's armoured Norman knights). For more detail read long time Kriegspieler stalwart Dave Cross's great article Varangian Rus Army Lists' which compliments some of the more recent developments in the Warhammer Ancient Battles scene. In news closer to home, joining our editorial staff is the Winged Hussar's Doug Walsh. Doug will also be taking over the day-to-day business of the magazine from George Stosic. The responsibility for the subscriptions, mailing and advertising have been passed on to the capable hands of Doug. George will, of course, remain on the Kriegspieler team with his 'irregular' column 'The Balkan Horsetrader'. On a personal note I'd just like to thank George for all his efforts on behalf of the magazine. George was one of the very few prepared to put their hands up and get stuck in when help was called for. He has in previous issues thanked me for the huge effort in publishing 'Kriegspieler' - equal to publishing is maintaining subscriptions, mailing, organising advertising and notices in other words, the day-today business of running a magazine. George did all of this virtually single-handed for the first four issues of the magazine. Without his efforts, quite simply, there would not have been any magazine. It was George's original idea to resurrect a wargaming magazine published by and for Australian wargamers - so 'thank you' George for helping the Kriegspieler come in being. Also joining the editorial team will be Phillip Jones, the author of the soon-to-be released Napoleonic rule set "Elan". Phillip has been working closely with Doug and myself to devise and implement a new marketing strategy for the magazine. In conjunction with the new look 'Kriegspieler', we have been mailing draft copies of Elan to every major wargaming club or association in Australia and New Zealand and seeking feedback and encouraging comment on both the rules and the magazine. One of the most interesting aspects of this exercise has been the gratifying discovery that there are just so many wargaming clubs, societies etc, in the region - well over 40 of them at last count! In this joint effort we are encouraging the various wargaming clubs to make use the magazine, to support us by encouraging their members to subscribe and, of course, to play- test ban and give Phillip some constructive feedback on his rules. The intention is to use this feedback to give this rule set a final pohsh'before formally publishing them. Finally, I'd like to invite all manufacturers /retailers/ suppliers of the hobby to use this magazine as a resource to advertise and promote their products and services. It is our intention to reach just about every serious wargamer in the region - it benefits both the magazine and the advertisers to have access to such a wide market. Ultimately those who stand to benefit most are those who will read and subscribe to Kriegspieler - and, of course, the great hobby of wargaming. Back to Table of Contents -- Kriegspieler #5 To Kriegspieler List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by Kriegspieler Publications. 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