From: Skip Franklin Thank you for the message. My Finance Manager (wife) double-checked and the card you have listed has been replaced for other reasons and is no longer valid. Being honest and forthwith is commendable. [Ed sez: See 'Break-in at OSG,' above.] From: Paul Evans I recently bought "Sun of Austerlitz". It had a counter set with the "hidden" side (with flags) printed offset to well to one side. I was a bit disappointed, but did not worry too much until playing recently. I then realised that certain units on both sides had a thin white stripe down one side. We got to know and could remember what units these were which did have an effect on game play. (It was like the pea under the three shells trick with one of the shells marked out!). I have bought four of your games recently and I have not had this problem with the others. I wonder if you could pop a new, centrally-printed counter-set for "Sun of Austerlitz" in the post for me so we can play it truly "blind"? [Ed sez: This is why we have the die-cutter strike the fronts. Even then, sometimes the alignment is poor. Each countersheet is placed by hand. Diecutting is a craft and requires skill.] From: Mike Traynor I got your flyer, which is very nice looking. I got a good laugh out of "Punch out the counters, wear out the maps! We have plenty of spare parts." [Ed sez: I had a hard time writing the letter at first, I didn't want to, having spent so much time on the flyer, but the ad agency were pretty clear on that score so I sat down to write it having no idea in my head of what to say. Then I wrote 'We don't like advertising.' and the rest of it just rolled straight out.] I'd suggest that the bit on the front page that commends OSG Europe to folk who read Italian. I think you should just point folk there and note that the site is primarily in Italian. I don't read Italian but I've found I can figure out much of it and there is enough material there in English and in pictures to make it of interest to pretty much all your audience. I've no real basis other than a feeling, but my guess is that OSG fans aren't the sort of folk to sneer at a site because it's not in English. I'm very much looking forward to All is Lost Save Honour as well. Looks very much a game with the feel of the times that you've produced in OSG games. [Ed sez: I like your suggestion. I should have Nicola write a new blurb for the OSG homepage.] You didn't actually sign those 'Dear Grognard' letters, did you? I've seen machine signatures and that one, if it is a machine signature, is a very good example of its type. [Ed sez: The signature was 'line art' which means they took a photo. I gave them a page of those scribbles for them to pick from.] What is the difference between Struggle of Nations and Highway to Leipzig? I've P250ed both, but am curious. In line with your comment about wearing stuff out, the original SoN leader counters are the only counters I've ever worn out and had to get a replacement sheet for. [Ed sez: Struggle of Nations = 2 miles. Highway to Leipzig = 10 miles. I think we will combine HtL and HtB into one package as they will use the same map. From: Matthias Hardel, Eichwalde, Germany Can't get thru to you by mail. Don't know why: My mail was returned with a message that says REJECTED by SPAMCOP [Ed sez: I am sorry about that. Charm.net (our isp) has now removed the filter.] From: John Crouch I have been so busy these past few weeks! I had not found time to address this 'slip up', and had forgotten about it until now. Thank you for reminding me. [Ed sez: We sent a reminder about discount credit to John (see 'ORDERS' at the top).] As an aside, I currrently own over one hundred boxed war games, and it would be interesting to count up how many have your name listed in the credits. Quite a few, I'm sure. I've only had time to skim the rule set from "La Route du Kremlin". It all looks fascinating, and I get that old twinge of excitement-- well, maybe after the holidays! Again, thank you for your kind attention, and thanks also for keeping me on your 'list', and not giving up on me as an aficianado of your finely crafted games. I have a good excuse, of course! Back to OSG News January 2004 Table of Contents Back to OSG News List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Operational Studies Group This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com