PREVIEW OF THINGS TO COME

For my first series of posts, I have decided to offer a few thoughts on one of SPI’s really old titles: KURSK. While my personal gaming interests run the gamut from Napoleonic to modern games, this title was one of my early favorites. And besides, I am presently in an “East Front” frame of mind. For those readers who are already familiar with this old SPI “classic,” I hope that you find these comments interesting; for those who are not familiar with this game, I hope that this post sparks a bit of interest in both the actual battle, and the game.

4 comments:

  • JCBIII,
    Hi! I stumbled across your blog while searching the I'net for some info on SPI games. I have to say this is one of the best blogs I've ever seen regarding the old 'classic' games. Your descriptions, obeservations and analysis are a pleasure to read.

    I've always had a general interest in history and military history specifically. So when I found out about the hobby of wargaming I fell in love with it immediately.

    I got a late start to the hobby back in the early 80's, so I missed the 'Golden Age' of AH and SPI. SPI was nearing their end and I lived in a remote part of the country (western Kansas) at the time. I was in my teens and there was no outlet for games or magazines like the General, S&T, Moves, etc., in my area back then.

    I was in the Navy when I found out about role-playing games and when I got out, I found some local RPG'rs and one of them took me to a place called 'The Game Shop' in Wichita, KS (a town about three hours away from where I lived at the time). Once I passed through those doors, I was in Wonderland. In the decade that it was in business I probably spent close to a $1000 dollars or more in games! It was incredible.

    Since then I've made every attempt that I could to aquire some of those games from the SPI era.

    Anyway, your insight into the games of that period of wargaming is amazing. Your reviews make me long for those early days of the hobby (even the ones that I missed out on!).

    Keep the reviews coming! I look forward to each post!

    Thanks for your time.

    Mark

  • Greetings Mark:

    Thank you for visiting my Blog and, of course, most especially for your kind comments.

    Needless-to-say, I both understand and appreciate your interest in the old "classic" wargame titles. There is no doubt that the 70's and 80's represented a creative watershed in traditional conflict simulation design. Unfortunately, because of the rise of sophisticated interactive video games, and the advent of multiplayer internet game sites, we will probably never see their like again. Times change, I guess.

    Happily, for those gamers like yourself, who have a genuine interest in some of the older "classic" titles, many of these great games do periodically show up -- in varying conditions -- on eBay, so both regular players and serious collectors can still continue to find some of the real gems that were published during the "Golden Age" of game design.

    Best Regards, JCBIII

    P.S. I will probably soon post a list of possible future blog topics -- from book and movie reviews to game analyses -- for the coming year. Once this catalog of potential posts goes up, if you see anything on the list that particularly appeals to you, please don't hesitate to let me know.

  • JCBIII,
    Thanks! I look forward to each post and I appreciate your efforts very much.

    What would be a good way to contact you 'offboard' so to speak? I dont't see an email link, so I've taken the liberty to use this post as a way to communicate with you and others that frequent this blog. I don't want to clog up the comment section of each game review with random musings, questions, etc. unless that is the proper way to do so.
    Thanks,
    Mark

  • Greetings Mark:

    The easiest way to exchange off-post comments is for you to become a Follower and fill out your Google Friend Connect Profile. Click the "Follow" button in the "Follow" box on the lower right column of this page, then use Google/Blogger's instructions.

    I can send and receive emails to/from Followers and Friends outside of regular blog posts.

    Regards,
    Joe

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