1. Johnson Hood's firm, WARGAMES, sent its latest flyer through the mails. Amongst other things, the little 8 1/2 x 11 booklet contained a half-page advertisement for three of Arty Conliffe's games:
- First, there was SHAKO, his latest Napoleonic offering. The price of this set of rules was listed at $18.95, and it was "feight (sic) free". The ad also contained what Arty termed "early comments" to the rules. A couple of these unsolicited, unbiased, impartisan remarks were:
- "... Shako has put realism and fun back into wargaming..."
"Good feel to it"
"The best Napoleonic rules I have ever known"
Next was an ad for SPEAR HEAD, Arty's WW II effort. The price was $24.95, and, wonder of wonders, this was also "feight (sic) free"! !
Then came ARMATI, listed at $17.95 ... no mention at all of the dreaded "feight free" factor, which means, I guess, that "feight" is no longer "free". one wonders what a pound of "feight" costs ... ARMATI's ad also contained more unsolicited, unbiased, impartial comments on the rules:
- "A great game"
"An excellent game"
"The rules leave no room for argument (sic)"
"The best rules I have ever (sic) played"
Astute readers will note the number of "sic's" in the above. An excessive number, I would say, and I'm willing to wager that there would be little "argument" on the point.
What is also fascinating is that, with one exception, none of the comments has an author attached to it.
The exception is Kruse Smith, to whom is attributed the classic: "The best rules I have every played." If I were Kruse, I'd sue. Since I categorize myself as a quasi-editor of sorts, I find great fault with the above, both with the prevalence of "sic's" and the unattributed quotes. For example, I could have included in the REVIEW a comment from one of my more scholarly acquaintances concerning my knightly knight (medieval) rules. This gentleman said:
- "These is the bestest rules what I has ever played!"
And as for my ancients rules, an equally erudite fellow remarked:
- "Myself has never played a greatly better set!"
You can see, therefore, that the "unattributed quote" game is open to all.
2. The latest issue of Hal Thinglum's Midwest Wargamer's Association Newsletter (No. 78) arrived, complete in its new, professionalized format. Definitely a good-looking magazine. But, fellas, we've got a problem here. For on page 74, there appeared a very short letter, one paragraph, from a certain Anthony Figlia, who, in essence, stated:
- a. I place 3 or 4 15mm infantry figures on a base.
b. I also base my artillery
c. I put rocks on the bases
d. I cover the base with sand paint
e. I glue on small trees and bushes
I believe that this Anthony Figlia is the same "Tony" Figlia that frequents the Simon gaming table (I shall investigate this further). And the question arises: why did young Anthony write this letter?
Did he believe that, somewhere out there, there's a wargamer who was waiting with bated breath to find out if Anthony covered his bases with sand paint?
Did he believe that, deep in the wilds of West Virginia, there was a fellow who wanted to know if Anthony glued bushes to his bases?
Did he believe that, on the plains of North Dakota (or is it South Dakota?), there was a bearded fellow who had vowed not to shave until he found out if young Anthony put rocks on his bases?
After reading between the lines of young Anthony's letter, my instant analysis was that Anthony was crying out for love and affection. If Anthony is, indeed, "Tony", then I must admit our PW group has abused him greatly. Each time he presents a set of rules, then by the time we reach the third bound, he's buried in suggested changes, and almost in tears.
And so, having found only abuse within PW, the lad is reaching out to all America. Please send your expressions of love and affection for him to the PW Editor... I shall pass them on to the fellow. And, if you want, enclose a couple of dollars in the envelope...
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© Copyright 1996 Wally Simon
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