The 1997 HMGS Origins Project (HOP'97) was very successful for HMGS. (And we all had fun too!) We had an official total of 110 Historical Miniatures Games, and many unrecorded ones. (NOTE: that category surpassed ALL HMGS Conventions except ColdWars and HistoriCon, last year -- until "Fall-In".)

Origins '97 was an HMGS Convention within a Convention. We had a crack team of Veteran HMGS Game-Masters with several games each. These included Jim Getz's innovative "CHEF DE PIQUET NAPOLEONICS," Bryan Leshinskie's spectacular "DIEN BIEN PHU," Chris VonFahnestock's massive 15mm "EASTERN FRONT OFFENSIVE," Troy Boni's [motion] picture-perfect "LAST OF THE MOHICANS AMBUSH," Bill Acheson's popular "WWI AERIAL ACES," a most impressive "SAMURAI GEGO KO" [sic], and HOP'97 hosted the Convention Premier of Tim Donovan's "WARBAND And RETINIEU [sic]" (WAR) system, which ran an incredible 12 times during Origins. (They just loved it to death!).

These "HMGS-troopers" all worked and recruited at the HMGS Booth and turned right around and hosted games at Historicon '97 one week later (This year there are 3 weeks between the two Cons, so if you can make both I encourage you to do so. Many events FULL UP at Historicon were wide open at Origins). There were many many other dedicated Game Masters at Origins with excellent games. I am sorry I can't list them all, Game Masters came nearby Ohio, and from across the USA. oh! I also hosted my own 16 player "LITTLE BIG HORN" and "DESERT STORM" battles, with seminars on each.

We had well over 300 Gamers playing -- including over 100 alt.gamers "crossing over" for the first time. We recruited several dozen new HMGS members to SEVERAL DIFFERENT [their own local] HMGS Chapters. All HOP'97 Game Masters got a free Origins Badge, as well as all of those who helped at the HMGS Booth. All HMGS games were ultimately free to play, [an Andon first!] and HMGS had Carte Blanche to do whatever, wherever and however we wanted. Andon Gave us two huge rooms to re-schedule and set up however we wished. THIS is really the best of both worlds for HMGS Convention running.

ALL we did was show up, run our games, recruit new HMGS members, ask for whatever we want of them. They cheerfully and professionally complied. They handled all the hassles: registration, advertisement, GM registration, any and everything necessary to do a convention. We focused ALL of our HMGS efforts on running good games, and promoting HMGS, and recruiting new members.

This year they are even going to insure that the HMGS GM's are compensated even more. The HMGS NBoD, HMGS-East and HMGS-GI all contributed money and man-hours to promote and produce the HOP'97. HMGS Great Lakes provided 10-12 GameMasters, and numerous Attendees. THIS year AGAIN they have ALL pledged to promote the project in '98! I recruited for HMGS last year very effectively. This year I would like some company with HMGS Origins Team 1998. (HOT) NOW!

I want YOU, and your individual talents on the HMGS Origins Team 1998. (ORIGINS ™ International Game Expo is July 2 - 5, 1998 in Columbus, OH) We want to increase on LAST YEAR's (1997) success of over 100 Historical Miniatures Games and want to again sign up scores of new HMGS Members! We are Planning now for 50% more at HOT'98.

Now, HMGS MEMBERS get a special deal at Origins. ALL HMGS members who Preregister with the HOT Coupon will get 10% off their admission. We ALSO intend to SUPPORT our HMGS Game Masters at ORIGINS'98 with free convention badges, parking and lodging as funds are available.

GOALS for HOT'98:

#1. Recruit NEW Historical Gamers from "ALT.GAMERS" at ORIGINS
#2. Deliver more quality HMGS Game Masters to Origins
#3. Attract more historical GAMERS to Origins and HOT'98.

We need HMGS MEMBERS to attend and PLAY at Origins (that's our best recruiting method!). "WALK-ON" GAMING is ALWAYS free. Just walk up to any open Historical game and get into the game. It's that Simple. "Pre-registered gaming" is ultimately free for HMGS members too!

Here's the arrangement, to exclusively benefit HMGS members:

1. ALL HMGS members get a $5 discount to pre-register.
2. A badge for UNLIMITED HMGS Gaming cost that same $5.

We get the benefit of their sophisticated computerized ticketing system at no cost. (and it works MUCH better than the mad rush to sign up at Historicon BTW) Please respond by calling emailing or submitting the form below. I will be there with my "LITTLE BIG HORN" and "ALAMO" games. Will I see you? THIS ONE PROJECT, could POTENTIALLY BE the single greatest contribution any one of us can make to "grow the hobby!"

GM registration for HOT '98

*HMGS ORIGINS* PO Box 13500, Columbus, OH 43213 or (800) 529-EXPO
Email to: *HMGS-ORIGINS*
Or submit thru "HMGS-Origins" on web page: www.andonunlimited.com
Please mention HMGS HOT also please notify: Troy Boni ***************************************

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