Changing of the Guard

[Wild Bill]

Nothing is forever in this life. There comes a time when the "mantle" is passed from one to another.

This is also true in this magnificent hobby of wargaming. Over 14 years ago I entered this world. From many years of incessant board gaming, I became enthralled with the possibilities of the same experience but now with a computer.

Over five years ago, I began a group called "Wild Bill's Raiders." From small beginnings and with the help of David Heath and a host of individuals who rallied to the call, the Raider Team has grown to more than 30 individuals in support of four top-notch wargames.

The Raiders have been (and will continue to be) involved in the development of some eight wargames and produced hundreds of scenarios, campaigns and maps for these games.

The Raider organization is solid. We have some of the best wargamers in the world playing an active role as Raiders.

But now the time has come for me to step down from the administrative aspects of the group as the original and current leader. Thus I am advising you that Mr. Neil Stalker, an experienced gamer, top-notch historical writer and webpage guru to take over that position. As of this note, official command of the Wild Bill's Raiders passes to Neil.

I congratulate Neil for taking this most serious post. His credentials and skills are beyond question. I have not the slightest doubt but that Neil will do a great job in keeping the Raider standard of excellence alive and well.

Let it be known that I am not leaving the gaming community! That is important!

I will continue as Senior Advisor to the Raiders. But age, time and health require that I step down from the position I have loved so much.

Finally, I want to say thank you. Thanks to all the gamers who have offered constructive criticism, who have stood with me in the crunch and who have steadfastly supported our efforts. You folks have made the thousands of hours invested in this effort more than worthwhile.

And to my Raiders, what can I say? If there was ever a team effort, this has been one. From each team captain to every Raider who has ever served, you have my eternal gratitude.

The Raiders will go on. By unanimous vote, the name "Wild Bill's Raiders" will continue. For that honor I am grateful. Look for bigger and better things from this Raider Team in the months to come.

Of course, I'm still around, just taking it a little slower. I'm accessible as I have always been to each and everyone of you.

Raiders Up!
"In Arduis Fidelis" - Faithful in Adversity

Wild Bill Wilder

[Goblin]

I am not sure what to say! Just that I MUST say something.

-First, Thank You. For everything, and thats a HUGE category when it comes to you.

-Second, congrats to Neil! If you trust him as Top Dog, so do we.

-Third, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Fourth, I still dunno what to say, and am sure others are feeling the same way.


Goblin- A Goblin is sad

[Don Doom]

Enjoy your retirement. SIR

You will be miss Herr Kurnel!!!:(

[Bing]

I'll take a crack at it: Wild Bill has given as much to gaming as anyone i know. Some people just take, some give a little, Bill has devoted his time, energy and considerable talent to a sector of gaming he obviously loves a great deal.

I also count Bill as a friend and Bill: Don't be a stranger.

Congratos to Neil, I am sure he will do a fine job.

Bing

[slehtine]

First, congratulations to Neil Stalker. Raider's are an elite group.

And to you, Wild Bill, thank you. You have done great job. Good luck with your new status.

I sincerely hope to see you around these boards in future.

-Third, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Echo that.

-Sasa

[Irinami]

"Wild Bill" Wilder:

I thank you for everything. You are in my prayers for your continued health. Everyone is given a calling in this life. Most are given many. I am sure that one of your callings was to memorialize those who gave the better part of their lives--or especially, those who paid the ultimate price--on all sides in the preservation of freedom and liberty. Another, parallel to that, was to re-moralize those who serve in the armed forces of all freedom-loving nations.

In these pursuits you have succeeded beyond my measures to explain. In your own way you have taught many to take the battle beyond numbers and into people. In your own way, via leading us through the battles you have (re)created, you have given the civilians a taste of warfare, the soldiers the chance to make a difference in those battles; beyond this, our victories and defeats in these pixel battlefields have--I should hope for most of us--when the numbers come up, they have shown us the terrible cost of war. Without dwelling on gruesome specifics, anyone who has played in your battles should leave with some small understanding of the horror of every event in battle... and thus a deeper understanding of the great gift our forebearers have given us in their service to our peace-loving nations.

Should I go to war, I could think of only a few better ways to show my children what I went through out of love for them than a Wild Bill scenario. After my stories and the stories of my friends, it is the closest I would want them to be to it... and I would want them to be that close (but no closer).

Thank you again, Mister Wilder. You have brought me to an even closer and better understanding and love of our servicemen (and women) and veterans than what I already had. You've done for wargaming and interactive history what R. Lee Ermey has done for the USMC.

Hats off and salutes to you all around.
--Mark "Irinami" Withers

[M4Jess]

you are my hero

I will say that 5-6 years ago I sent you a sp2 scen...in return you sent me a 50 line "fill this out form"



man you pissed me off that day....

from then on...I wanted to be just like you..

I could not...can not...

But you taught me to be....Well....good...even better than good...your scens are a bible for me.. your example tells all of us that we are a family!

2 of the years we have talked I have been sick..you huged me...

and I for one... will follow Mr. Neil Stalker, as I followed you

[Gallo Rojo]

Y el viejo Guille el Salvaje se fue cavalgando hacia el poniente, tocando el banjo.
Saludos

[Hades]

I too must say thankyou for all the great things you've done for the wargamer community.

[troopie]

Wild Bill,

Before you retire we have to have a boozy virtual dinner for you. We'll break out the regimental silver, get Sixpence and Rajah to cook, and tell stories of your wisdom, heroism, and sacrifice over the champagne.

Friends, Here's to Wild Bill Wilder! Enjoy your retirement!

All die beste.

troopie

[degen]

Wild Bill-

I know this was a difficult step for you to take. You have been a driving force behind this great game and the community is greatful for all you have done. Thanks for all your insights, tips, feedback, and great scenarios and campaigns. Hopefully, we will still see some of this from you, but I understand the need for you to reduce your involvement.

Neil, you have big shoes to fill, but if Wild Bill picked you, then I have faith that you will do well.

[ruxius]

DADDY WB !!!!!!!!


"Caro Papà Wbill, poche persone al mondo riescono ad entrare nei ricordi della gente per rimanerci sempre...Ognuno di noi conserverà sempre un piccolo pezzo di Te gelosamente custodito nel cuore...quello che hai saputo dare a questo gioco non ha un prezzo ma si misura in qualcosa di impercettibile: hai fatto di questo forum e di questo gioco una seconda casa per noi...hai dato un volto e un nome al tempo e alle speranze che abbiamo riposto qui...come non ricordare le centinaia di post scritte la sera tardi perchè sapevamo di parlare con Qualcuno ? e a ogni domanda sei riuscito a dare sempre una risposta...la solida carezza di un padre insieme alla sua autorevole presenza..solo il tuo vero Amore per questo gioco ha potuto farci sentire a casa...hai fondato uno Stile e una Leggenda con anni di passione...la stessa che abbiamo sempre condiviso per questo meraviglioso wargame..la stessa che ora anima un pugno di tuoi figli !
ora che ci lasci non mancherà il mio affettuoso Saluto !
Finchè Spwaw avrà vita..finchè non saremo sconfitti dal tempo che non dà tregua...
NOI non ti dimenticheremo PapàWB !!!"

Francesco
(I couldn't write this in english..it wouldn't be the same...sorry)

There is a place deep inside our hearts where you can never RETIRE !
That place will be always kept warm for you Daddy !
We will NEVER FORGET YOU wherever life will bring you !
My Salute to you full of two years of passion and full presence !
Your Love for SPWAW is one of the best examples in life of Devotion...what to say more other than
THANK YOU , THANK YOU FOR ALL !

[jphamel]

Wild BIll,

I dont know what to say,:(

I haven't been around for long, but I have read enough on you to know what you represent to the wargaming community.

My deepest respect.

Congratulation to Neil,

Hopefully you will still be around in the forums here.

And may your future bring us many more excellent scenarios;)

Thank you WIld Bill.

[Warrior]

Old soldiers never die, and in your case they never fade away.

[cadmus]

Wild Bill ... I have been playing wargames since I first stumbled onto AH's Blitzkrieg back in 1971. And I've stuck with it up through SP:WaW which has become my all-time favorite. Never, in all those 31 years keeping up with the hobby have I come across someone who has so generously given of his time and attention to the wargaming community and those who populate it. For that generosity, wise counsel, unending patience with dumb questions and quietly charismatic leadership in so many areas, all of us who remain in this community owe you more than we can ever express or repay. We can only offer our inadequate thanks for all you have done, our gratitude for developing and fostering the growth of a band of lads who promise fair to carry on the traditions you have established, and tender our fervent wishes for a long, happy, and healthy life.

[U2]

Hey Wild Bill

You take care now and I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to do. In short I cant thank you enough for what you have done for wargaming. Hope to see you around on the forums from time to time

Cheers

Dan

[Grenadier]

Well, Kunel, all I can do is echo the sentiments of the others here. Like M4 I will never forget the way you treated me when I sent you and Figmo my very first scenario for SPWW2. Your words of encouragement and suggestions have made me the game designer I am today.

I will never forget the thrill of reading the e-mail with your invitation to join the Raiders

I nearly dropped out of the community entirely from my conflict with Marc Bellizi and if it were not for your support I would not be here today.

I will never, ever forget how you recommended my joining the SPWaW Beta team and the time we spent putting out that first version of the game. Your faith in me gave me the strength to be the best I can be and you have shown it many times with your countless recommendations of me to others and your choosing or recommending me to others. I would never have had the opportunity to do my SPWaW magnum opus, "Lost Victories" if it were not for your faith in me.

I will never forget our long telephone conversations and how you stood by me during my personal crisis.

I will never forget our time together in Atlanta, short as it was.

Most of all, I will never forget the inestimable contribution you have made to the wargaming community through the Raiders, The Gaming Network and Matrix Games.

As always,
your faithful Grenadier

[Belisarius]

I don't think I can write anything that could express my thoughts adequately . So;

Wild Bill - THANK YOU.

It's comforting to know that you'll be around. I believe that your efforts through these many years will serve as inspiration (and a measure!) for many many years still to come. We common wargamers owe you a LOT.

[Huffy]

...everyone has said it in many different ways.... again a big thank you for all you have done....and you take care...
Every one hold your beer in the air for a big ...SALUTE !
Huffy

[Mikimoto]

Querido, admirado y respetado Wild Bill... solo puedo decir Muchas gracias por todo... y mucha suerte, salud y felicidad... por siempre.