Some Thoughts About SPWaW

[KG Erwin]

These are my beliefs about this game:

(1) It is an old program, and needs to be redesigned from the ground up.

(2) I am thankful that I was able to participate in the design of the OOBs, in particular the USMC. This IS the best representation of the Marines' WWII OOB in ANY game, and I'm proud of my voluntary contribution. I relied on several sources in my work on it, including Gordon Rottman's invaluable books, which are in my personal collection, Gary Kennedy's great website http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/, and my friend Mark Flowers' excellent site http://ww2gyrene.org/.

(3) It is still my all-time favorite tactical game.

(4) I will continue playing it, as it's a classic game.

(5) No one can convince me that SPWW2 is better, as the games are based on different engines. It's comparing apples and oranges, as far as I'm concerned. Comparisons are pointless. Enjoy them both.

(6) Be happy with the old warhorse as she is. She's aged well, and will be played for years to come.

(7) I'm not done talking about her LOL. There are always new things to be learned.

(8) I've talked to some great people over the years in being invited to be involved in this game. I'm thankful for each of the friendships I've gained, above all to the legendary (and now retired) Bill Wilder, who got me involved in the SPWaW world. I actually got to meet Mr Wilder in 2005, and I'm honored to have the privilege of doing so.

(9) How I got involved: I wrote an article for Wargamer in 2003 called "Marine Tankers in WWII" which attracted some attention, including Mr Wilder's. This got an invitation to write some background articles for the "Screaming Eagles" Mega Campaign, so I ran with it and got involved with the OOB team under Bryan Melvin and later Robert "Alby" Alberson.

[rwenstrup]

KG Erwin, I agree with you about SPWAW. I've been playing wargames since Tactics II and Steel Panthers is one of the few games that I have continued to play since it's introduction. SPWAW seems to me to be the best iteration...and I simply love the Mega-Campaigns.

It is my sincere hope that a new iteration will be done. It is hard to believe that such a popular game...one that put Matrix Games on the map...has yet to be upgraded...

[KG Erwin]

What really strikes me as odd is the ability of an amateur historian and wargamer, by dint of good luck, to get involved in the PC wargame world. Now, I had some good fortune, so anyone who is determined and knows their subjects can do it. In other words, you can't BS your way into the gaming world. By additional good fortune, I was subsequently able to talk to Pure Sim Baseball's Shaun Sullivan and become a playtester for Birth of America 2. I find a way to get involved in games which attract my interest.

OK, I unintentionally made this a gaming autobiography, BUT I hope I've offered advice to those who want to get involved. Basically, it's two things : (1) Be respectful to others and (2) know what you're talking about.