What a relief! Dave and I have just taken our last issue of SPEARPOINT to the printer's (actually a double issue to fulfill editorial agreement). Initially, it was a challenge working on NASAMN's Journal. Trying to change the focus from a strictly tournament orientated base to a more centrist hobby Publication did not come without complaints! Probably the most galling problem SPEARPOINT, however, has been the reliance on bulk rate mail to get the newsletter to the members.

Those of you who have been long time subscribers probably remember when I toyed with the idea of going bulk for SAGA. Promise to draw and quarter me if I ever mention that foolishness again. It has taken over a month for some members to get their journals. Not this might not be so bad if I planned for such a delay, but I never have so all of the NASAMW ballots for the 1994 election, which hadn't be postmarked no later than June 27 (since changed), did not even reach many of the members until the first week in July. It gets even better than this. If you move, SAGA, being First Class mail, is forwarded to your new address for up to six months. Bulk rate is tossed away. Needless to say, SPEARPOINT is one job I an more than happy to leave behind.

Summer is usually a slow season for submissions and this is no exception. I've had to print a couple of articles from SLINGSHOT well as (heaven forbid) write a couple of my own to include. In event, most of you will receive this by HISTORICON, or even at it, you are attending. Advertising dollars also are drying up ... this is noticeable in my retail music business as well. It seems most companies, mine included, are going 'lean and mean' both in persona and in spending for ads, etc. I'm going to have to let Dave Armor go, he gets paid too such ($0.00 per annum) and he hasn't renewed subscription either. Hey, times are tough. It would be helpful, though if you mentioned you saw an ad in SAGA when replying to advertisements seen herein.

The big news, of course, is HISTORICON coming up this month. I'm curious to see the DBM tournament. Perhaps then I'll be able understand what all the excitement is about. From my limited observations, it appears that many unhappy WRG players have taken the DBM banner and are proclaiming it the system which will take the tournament circuit. So far, I disagree. Granted, WRG 7th is difficult, but if you enjoy the detail (which I do), you can't do better. DBM is the perfect vehicle for many, if not most gamers, desire a more grand tactical battle, with fewer details, but retaining the flavor of this period of warfare. I can't see why;, can't coexist. Why must one win out over the other? Do we need one universal set of rules anyway? What about ANCIENT EMPIRES, MIGHT OF ARMS, KNIGHT HACK & CLASSICAL HACK, SWORDPLAY, BATTLE, ARMATI, ANCIENTS A-Z and TACTICA? These systems all have their adherents ... most will be in evidence at HISTORICON ... and have positive reasons for playing.

See you there!