Origins this year was the best show of the last four years or so. From a sales standpoint (using our booth as a measure -- the only figures I deem truly reliable), this year's show was almost as good as the last three combined! It was at least three times greater than last year's abysmal showing at Atlanta. From my discussions with other manufacturers, our success was matched by their making the whole show measure in relation to the sales we could both see and count. It was a good one.

New products unveiled in Baltimore were:

Avalon Hill -- Battle of the Bulge, nth edition.
Robin Hood (a movie tie-in).

GDW -- Stand and Die.

TSR -- Pacific Theater of Operations

GMT -- Alexander

3W -- Roark's Drift

Pacific Rim -- Counterattack #3 (Believe it or Not)

Victory -- The Peloponnesian War

and, of course, Barren Victory.

Much to our disappointment, Clash of Arms did not have Ligny or Quatra Bras available and Fresno had no finished games at all.

We had interesting discussions with several very kind industry types, among those to add to your "good guys" list are: Marc Miller of GDW, Gene Billingsley of GMT, and Ed Wimble & Steve Rawlings of Clash of Arms. Gene, much to our approval, managed the difficult task of bringing GMT through its troubles last year (explosive partnerships are not a pretty sight) and seems to have stabilized operations. Our hats are off to him.

Richard Berg had a booth from which to squeeze some more sales out of SDI's ship wrecked hull. From our vantage, however, he seemed to spend most of his time discussing mail fraud laws with unhappy purchasers of Blood and Sand. Much of the time the booth was left in the hands of his son -- until Sunday, when Richard departed early in the day -- without much fanfare.

Our usual lecture circuit was followed by a small but very astute and interesting audience. Thanks to all who anended and especially those who stayed after to chat or went to the 8:00pm talks. The questions showed that the listeners had a good knowledge of the rules and systems in our games and numerous good discussions were had. Thanks.

Next year, we will be sharing an island booth with Clash of Arms and GMT -- a sort of wargaming redoubt in the mass of D&D types who will be at Origins/GenCon in Milwaukee. Be sure to make plans to be there. It should be even better!