Not long ago I introduced a guy to Panzergruppe Guderian. In his first (ever!) experience with that game, he was pleasantly surprised by the mobility it affords. A week or so later, John Reed and I had a blast when we punched and played Drive on Paris. Yes, I'm a hard-core OCS fan, but there's a lot to be said for SCS games and their ancestors. Drive on Paris certainly gets it right. I hope you've been enjoying it as something a bit lighter before this summer's feast: This Terrible Sound and Sicily.

For years The Gamers has offered you various price breaks: pre-publication offers, "pak" discounts, subsciber discounts, and discounts on titles from consortium members MiH, OSG, UGG, and West End. And now for something not quite completely different: you can order games by many publishers through The Gamers and enjoy discount pricing. We now carry games from Australian Design Group, Avalanche Press, Avalon Hill, Clash of Arms, Decision Games, Emperor's Headquarters, GMT Games, Games Research & Design, Victory Games, Geo Hex, Games Workshop, FASA. In addition, we carry various family games, including the PokŽmon¨ collectible card game. We can also serve your miniatures and painting needs, as well as dice and supplies! Check out the new listings in the catalog and on the web site. If you don't see what you want there, send us an e-mail and we'll see if we can get it for you. Whatever your gaming interest or hobby interest, you can order from The Gamers and enjoy our trademark reliable service and discount pricing of 30% off. We want to be your one-stop shop for superior value and convenience.

Remember that our web site has secure shopping. You can view descriptions and prices, add items to your shopping cart, and send sensitive data like credit card information over an encrypted connection. No Net connection? No problem: call our toll-free number, (888) 842-6377. Origins 2000 is upon us. The convention happens this year in Columbus again, 13-16 July, at the Columbus Convention Center (next to the Hyatt). The usual suspects will be at The Gamers' booth, trying to keep up with the demand for Sicily and This Terrible Sound, and we'll have the seminar/Q&A session where, if I know you guys, you can come to ask for more games, more games, and more games. Our demonstrations should be particularly interesting this year. Dean will conduct both a session for OCS newcomers and a master class for those interested in the fine points of OCS technique. Dave Powell will be showing off This Terrible Sound, the RSS Chickamauga game that debuts at the convention. If seeing Dave's work in progress last year piqued your interest, be sure to hear him this year with the finished product--and pick up your own copy, of course. Check your Origins program for the specific times and places for these Gamers events.

Please remember to vote for your favorite games from last year for the Charles S. Roberts awards. New categories added this time include best magazine game and best desktop-published game. Send in (without delay) a photocopy of the ballot printed in this issue, or vote on-line at Consimworld.com: http://www.consimworld.com/community/csr_awards_form.html. If you especially liked Malvern Hill, Gazala, Burma, or Aspern-Essling, or you thought any of these games looked particularly good, or you found in them conspicuous examples of elegance and playability, then get your vote it. If you think that, having completed This Hallowed Ground and the Seven Days trilogy, Dave Powell is due for the Clausewitz award, then help make it happen. Hey, if you want to see Richard Berg sweep the Charlies, go for it. I won't tell you how to vote, but please vote.

Not long after Origins, it will be time for HomerCon. This year's retreat happens 28 September through 1 October in Homer. There are various places to stay in nearby Champaign. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Red Roof Inn. For information and reservations, call (800) 843-7663 no later than 13 September and mention Block# B170000278. For full information about HomerCon, including travel and lodging details, visit our web site or call The Gamers and let us know you plan to attend.