We've got one small change to announce. We've decided to change the date each month when we publish Sabledrake Magazine. Starting this month, it will be available on the first Monday of each month. This way, we have the whole weekend each month to lay everything out and make sure everything works.

I had the neatest thing happen to me the other day. I was searching the 'net looking for maps of 19th century Germany (for a game, of course), when I stumbled, quite accidentally, on this great site which lists nearly 250 game stores in Germany. It goes on the have links to game manufacturers, most of them the same US game companies that we're all familiar with, but also many European ones.

I also discovered a very good new on-line game. It's called Fantasy War, and was designed by Greg Costikyan. It is a turn-based, strategy game set in a well designed fantasy world. Diplomacy is key to the game, as the map is laid out so that nearly every nation has three neighbors. Games are for eight players and there are many (12?) different races, each with their own specialties and character.

The game comes with its own software. The interface is nice and works smoothly and instinctively. Each player uses the program to make his orders. Orders are sent to the server and then compiled simultaenously. The combat system is simple, but with enough detail for there to be some strategy.

I have yet to finish my first game, but I am enjoying it more than I have any other on-line game that I have yet tried.

There is a fee for playing, about $2.00 - $3.00 per game, but I am finding it very worth it. My current game is 1 turn every week day, with the average game lasting for 16 - 25 turns, giving me 4 - 6 weeks worth of entertainment for $3!

Sorry for the short article. I'll make it up next month. Thanks for reading.

--Tim Morgan

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