2 T~e Avalon Hill Philosophy Part 93 * AVALON HILL Ie II GENERAL Over the past few months, this editor has given EUROPA? Is ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR /I really a some extensive consideration to the previously better game than GETTYSBURG 777 The Game Players Magazine mentioned problems with the READERS BUYER'S Perhaps the clearest indication that the RBG The Avalon Hill GENERAL is dedicated to the presenta­ GUIDE (RBG). Spurred by several missives from survey may not show a game's actual acceptance tion of authoritative articles on the strategy, tactics, and readers in response to Mr. Beard's letter (Vol. 19, is the oft-remarked difference between ratings on variation of Avalon Hill wargames. Historical articles are No, 1), I'd like to appraise you of some of my con­ the RBG and those of the "So That's What You've included only insomuch as they provide useful background information on current Avalon Hill titles. The GENERAL is clusions, Hopefully, this self-evaluation will lead to Been Playing" chart, Several examples spring to published by the Avalon Hill Game Company solely for the a better RBG, one more representative of the true the eye: MIDWA Y, a mediocre 35th on the RBG, is cultural edification of the serious game aficionado, in the values-the strong points andthe weaknesses-of the thirteenth most played game according to this hopes of improving the game owner's proficiency ofplay and providing services not otherwise available to the Avalon Hill our titles, issue's reader survey! WAR AT SEA, GUNS OF game buff. Avalon Hill is a division of Monarch Avalon Even as a casual reader of The GENERAL, I had AUGUST, VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC and AFRIKA Industries. Inc., a wholly owned sUbsidiary of Monarch noted the often gross inconsistencies that occur in KORPSare still other examples of games, despite Avalon, Inc. The shares of Monarch Avalon, Inc. are publicly the RBG, Consider that MAGIC REALM and DUNE being lowly rated, which are consistently being traded on the NASDAO System under the symbol MAHI. For information about the company write to Harold Cohen at the have better "Realism" ratings than WA TERLOO, played, Meanwhile, where are CIRCUS MAXIMUS, executive offices of the company, 451 7 Harford Rd., WAR AT SEA and STALINGRAD, Is PANZERBLITZ ANZIO and BISMARCK? These are three of the top Baltimore, MD 21214. actually more complicated than SQUAD LEADER? ten games produced by Avalon Hill according to the Publication is bi~monthly with mailings made close to the end of February. April, June, August, October and Is the blank AIR FORCE map any worse than the RBG, yet they are nowhere to be seen among the December. All editorial and general mail should be sent to the blank boards of TOBRUK or GLADIA TOR? Are the top twenty played games, This is not to say that Avaton Hill Game Company, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, components and mapboards for RUSSIAN CAM­ MD 21214. One year sUbscriptions are $9.00. Two year PAIGN actually better than those of FORTRESS Continued on Page 10, Column 3 subscriptions are $14.00. All domestic subscriptions sent via bulk permit. Domestic First Class Delivery and all subscriptions to Canada and Mexico must pay an additional $9.00 per year postage charge. All overseas subscriptions must add an additional $12.00 per year postage charge. Send checks or money orders only.AH is not responsible for cash lost in transit. Those with a current American Express, VISA, MasterCard or Choice may call BOO-638-9292 toll free to renew subscnptions or order merchandise. Absolutely no complaints or questions will be handled on this number. Any bUSiness other than a credit card purchase must be handled by mail. Address changes must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance to guarantee delivery. Paid advertising is not accepted, but news of importance to the gaming com~ munity is sOlicited. Convention announcements must be received at least 3 months in advance and contain intorma~ tion pertaining to AH games in use. Articles from subscribers are considered for publication at the discretion of our editorial staff. Articles should be typewritten, double-spaced, and embrace the tenets of good English usage. There is no limit to word length. Accompany­ ing examples and diagrams should be neatly done in black or red ink. Photographs should have caption and credit line written on back. Rejected articles will be returned whenever pos~ible. EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Donald J. GreenwOOd MANAGING EDITOR: Rex A. Martin GRAPHICS: Jean Baer, Dale Sheaffer, Charles Kibler, Rodger MacGowan, Stephanie Czech, David Lawrence Cove, Art: Rodger MacGowan Mesthead Design: Stephanie Czech AREA Technician: Diana Widener GENERAL Subscriptions: Gertrude Zombro Purchases of Games, PBM kits and parts: Brenda Brauer FOREIGN DISTRIBUTORS: Overseas readers are urged to LET'S GET CIVILIZED 5 make subscription arrangements with the appropriate agent, An Overview of CIVILIZA TION By Stephen W. Hall AUSTRALIA: Jedko Games, 18 Fonceca St., Mordialloc, 3195, Victoria; DENMARK: Jorn Eriksen, Sondertoften 209, EXPANDING TRADE 9 DK 2630 Taastrup; GREAr BRITAIN: Avalon HiIIIUK) LTD, Variant Trade Cards for CIVILIZATION By Mick Uhl 650 High Rd" North Finchley, London N. 12, ONL; JAPAN: Post Hobby, 1-38 Yoyogi, Shibura-KU, Tokyo; SINGAPORE: DESIGN ANALYSIS 10 Wong International Entr., 6 Jalan Sinar Bulan; Singapore The Fringes of CIVILIZA TION By Mick Uhl 1750; SOUTH AFA'ICA: Gamma Games Ltd, P.O. Box 2904, Capetown 8000; SWEDEN: Target Games, CIRCUS MAXIMUS II 12 Skogvaktargatan 2, S-11542 Stockholm. Second Edition Changes for CM By Don Greenwood Rules Questions: R&D, NOTE: ali questions should be diagrammed. No questions can be answered which are THE COMPLEAT DIPLOMAT 13 unaccompanied by a self~addressed envelope. Questions By Rod Walker must be based on rules of play (not historical or design Negotiations: Plan Those Plots matters) and be based on the current rules edition. Questions COLOSSEUM CAMPAIGN 14 on more than one game must be Ilste,d on separate pages and & accompanied by a separate SASE for each 9ame, Combining GLADIATOR & CIRCUS MAXIMUS By A. Gopin W, Neumann IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS: Inform us immediately, The Post Office destroys magazines even if you leave a OH-WAH-REE 16 forwarding address. AH ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY Oldest of Mankind's Games By Red A. Martin FOR ISSUES LOST DUE TO AN INVALID ADDRESS. Please RAMSESII 19 state both your new and old address. ALEXANDER THE GREA T Variant By Arnold Blumberg PELOPONNESIAN WAR 22 COPYright 19B2 Scenarios for TRIREME By Rex A. Martin Thf! ill THE WARS OF MARNON 28 AVAL01V H1LL.-#6'o Scenarios for WIZARD'S QUEST By Bill Fawcett Game Company ~ SQUAD LEADER CLINIC 32 Answers & Discussion to Quiz, Part II By Bill Nightingale 4517 Harford Road, If\~C THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN 39 Baltimore, Md, 21214 \!I ~ The Final Campaign in THIRD REICH By Michael Anchors 3 COMING SOON TOA STORE NEAR YOU! An exciting operational level simulation of Operation The Civil War provides a matchless Market-Garden, Hell's panorama of the war between the Highway allows players to states, stretching from the re-enact scenarios or the east coast to New Mexico. A entire campaign in elegant game that stresses leadership and detail. Embodying a game command strategy, The Civil War system that emphasizes includes virtually every major playability, Hell's Highway commander of the war, rating features over 250 German, him for initiative and combat British, American, and capabilities. These leaders Polish combat unitsamong its maneuver 520 playing pieces 520 playing pieces, two full-color across two full-color mapsheets. mapsheets replete with detailed Also includes Federal and terrain and game displays, rules Confederate navies, Indians, and Texas booklet, and two player aid cards. Rangers in a simulation tour de force. Gulf Strike is intense. Maneuvering on both strategic and operational levels, players must make best use of the uncommonly fluid Game-Turn to optimize their own air, land, and sea assets in the bitter struggle for control of the Persian Gulf area. Soviet, US, Iranian, Iraqi, and many other units, depicted in detail among the more than 1000 playing pieces, surge across three mapsheets in this dramatic, multi­ scenario encounter. r r Solitaire! Ambush brings new meaning to the word, as the player commands his squad of GI's through the WWII French countryside, daring the hidden enemy to do his worst. A unique system of paper slide and cartridges gives this programmed paragraph game a virtually limitless number of exciting scenarios. Includes some 400 counters, 2-3 maps, slide and cartridges, rules and paragraph booklets, and play-aid screen. 4 The Enchanted Islands. shimmering I A1 Complexity Rating: 8 jewels in a peaceful sea of tranquil azure. (On a scale of I (easy) to to (hard) were home to the Elves from the dawn of time. for untold ages the Elves reveled A2 in the bounty of their mother Earth. and their world was brightened by idyllic songs of beauty, peace and love. Eventually Man entered the islands, Elekov and was made welcome. But man was deaf to the peace and harmony of Elven • ways. and nurtured a viper in his breast that was new to the islands ... the potential for Evil. Zegora! With little delay. the taint of evil, working through Man. clouded the 81 brilliance of the land. To counter the evil taint, the Good Spirit sent his immortal High Wizards to lead Man to the good path and nurture him in its bounty. But the Evil One. not to be denied his prize. sent his own emissaries-the Dragons! They spoke to Man with the WIZARDS is a challenging.