The following press release was sent to MagWeb. I'll put my own personal spin at the end...--RL

All "HMGS GAME-MASTERS" are invited to attend Origins'97 absolutely free for the "HOP" (HMGS Origins Project). PLEASE Come and GameMaster a few historical wargames, HELP HMGS TO:

1) Recruit from the alt.gamers pool, AND
2) To make ORIGIN's a better place for Historical Gamers.

HOP Project open to all Historical Gamemaster's willing to run a few Quality Historical Miniatures Games and help us promote the hobby. [We'll even find you a cheap place to stay at OSU!] YOU won't be dissappointed. We have arranged with ORIGINS for HMGS-Gamemasters to get a free 'full-access' badge.

ORIGINS'97 will surely have *more* for _Historical_GAMERS_ than one can take in! Including extensive miniature's gaming, computer and boadgames, the WAR College and Military historical seminars... and Not to mention TOM CLANCY as the bigshot Guest.

To "sign-up" to run HMGS games email Chris at: outland@erinet.com.

He'll give you the details needed to be an official HMGS GameMaster at ORIGINS97. PLEASE DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because the Program goes to press in JUNE!!

Lockwood's Personal Observation

At Origins 95 in Philadelphia, I ran four historical miniatures events on the Battle of Waterloo. At that time, historical miniatures were not being emphasized. I did not go to Origins 96, as it is, like this year's Origins, within a week of Historicon, the largest miniatures convention. Part of the reason is because I received a free badge because of my "real" job as editorial director for an online service.

I attended Origins 1 and 2 in Baltimore (hosted by Avalon Hill), and 3 in Staten Island (New York City, hosted by SPI), then again a few years later in 1988 when it was a GenCon/Origins (hosted by TSR) in Milwaukee. Back then it seemed predominently historical boardgames but seemed to change course towards more of the role-playing, with some boardgames and even fewer miniatures events.

Cost and timing are major factors. Origins is not inexpensive. One day at Origins is $15, or $40 for the entire convention. Most events cost $2.50 each, some $5, some $1.25. There are some free demos and seminars, etc. The War College costs $5 a session or $15 for all sessions. Columbus hotels cost $100 or so a night ater you tack on the taxes, etc. This is not out of line with Gencon. Rough guesstimate, maybe 5% of events are historical, the rest sci-fi and fantasy.

Historicon costs $12 or so for the entire convention. About 99% of all gaming events are free. All historical talks are free. Hotel costs are about the same. About 97% of all events are historical.

This year, Historicon (Lancaster, PA) is one week after Origins (Columbus, OH). Gencon (Milwaukee), a very large fantasy and sci-fi show, is about a month later. Gencon is the leader in fantasy/sci-fi--I go to that one just for such topics. Historicon is the leader in historical miniatures--I go to that for that topic.

Origins used to be the boardgame leader, and I'd like to go there for that, but soince it seemed to abandon that role to try and be a Gencon, I don't quite see how I can fit in Origins and Gencon--same games, same vendors, same speakers, same price (not exactly on an individual by individual basis, but quite close enough). It is betwixt and between--quite a marketing challenge

However, it is good to see HMGS trying to bring back some history, even if the current Origins 97 program seems less inclined to history. Origin's smartest move so far is The War College series of lectures on historical topics--it was an excellent forum for military history at O95 and I expect the same at O97. And withmore historical events, it will become a more balanced convention.--RL.

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