The following press release was sent to MagWeb. --RL November 10, 1998: After 14 years, The Sword and The Flame game rules are back where they belong - in the hands of the original designer, Larry Brom. As of November 5, 1998 all copyrights, remaining 3rd edition boxed sets, and any collateral materials are the legal property of, "And that's the Way it Was", an historical, miniature diorama company owned by Lori Brom, the game designer's daughter. In 1984 Yaquinto Publications, the original publisher of the rules, sold the rights to Bob Boyle of Greenfield Hobby Distributors without the knowledge of the designer. Brom - whom, had he known, would have purchased the rights himself. In the ensuing years Brom, who reluctantly furnished some charts, rosters and rules variants for the 1984 1st revision by Greenfield, had to be content, but not at all pleased, to see the rules unnecessarily tinkered with (why are French & Indian, Foreign Legion, and Boxer Rebellion variants induded in a rule set for the conduct of battles of the British Empire?) and badly marketed. The supreme satisfaction once the release of the rules in 1979, however, has been the undying enthusiasm, devotion to fun, and acceptance of Brom's game concepts by the multitude of gamers who for 20 years have kept the "Flame" burning and made Colonial Wargaming a viable aspect of our grand hobby. When released, TSATF was the first published set of game rules to utilize: 1. Variable move distances. 2. Random movement and firing sequence. 3. Specific casualty determination ( dead, wounded, leaders, etc.). All of this was accomplished using a standard deck of playing cards. The designer has derived intense personal satisfaction in the quote, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", as through the years he has seen rule-set after rule-set present these basic concepts in many imaginative, clever, and creative variations. Time moves on, however, and now with TSATF back in it's own barracks perhaps it's time to consider whether that baasic, successful, innovative game concept is ready to expand - perhaps to battalion level to utilize the hordes of Colonial figures that out-of-control enthusiasts have stacked up in game rooms around the country. It remains to be seen........... In the meantime, sincere thanks and warm regards must go to all The Sword and The Flame devotees and, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling's To Thomas Atkins, "O there'll surely come a day When they'll give you all your pay. And treat you as a Christian ought to do: So until that day comes round, Heaven keep you safe and sound, And, Gamers, here's my best respects to you." Contact: loribrom@thewayitwas.com For Sale: Last 75 Copies Details about acquiring one of the last few boxed sets can be found in the Mall at MagWeb: The Sword and The Flame Closeout Sale Back to 4th Quarter 98 List of News Items Back to Master List of News Items Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by Coalition Web, Inc. 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