Microgame HQ Archives

The Classic microgames (those published before 1987) are long out of print, but enthusiasts across the globe continue to dig up interesting literature and documentation regarding these games. If you have letters, prototypes, or other documentation you would like to post in the Archives, please contact the Webmaster.

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Miscellaneous Items
The Metagaming Papers
Orbit War: Designer's Correspondence
Fury of the Norsemen: Prototype

Miscellaneous

A Letter From Howard 151k, 768x1015, text only

Andy Windes ( awindes@anv.net) received this in response to a letter he sent regarding The Fantasy Trip. Howard has some interesting comments on TFT and D&D! Dated March 31, 1980. Andy welcomes any comments you might have regarding this letter.

Silver Dragon Press Release 111k, 1038x1999, text only

A Metagaming press release showing Howard Thompson handing over the $10,000 prize check to silver dragon finder Thomas Davidson. Scan courtesy of Walt O'Hara.

A Letter From The Space Gamer 45k, 800x1044

Wally Wang (bothecat@home.com) received this in response to a satirical wargame article ("Ultimate Wargame") he submitted to The Space Gamer.

SPI SOLD! 528k, 844x1098, text only

The infamous press release announcing the "sale" of SPI to TSR. Dated March 31, 1982.

The Metagaming Papers
A collection of items acquired from a former Metagaming employee in 1999.

Where Were You In '82? 114k, 838x1092

WOW! A detailed report on the status of pending Metagaming games. Many unreleased games are mentioned. Plus: the secret Metagaming plan to clone game designer Keith Gross! Dated February 1982.

Unicorn Gold Promos 10k, 224x223

Promotional items related to the Treasure of the Unicorn Gold contest.

Fantasy Masters' Guild Newsletter 157k, 842x1058

Yes, you've been searching high and low for this Fantasy Trip newsletter in hopes of collecting every last bit of TFT info. Don't bother! All you'll find is a lot of organizational drivel that might be remotely interesting to the most die hard collector. No gaming value. You have been warned! Newsletter #1 is dated November 1981.

The Seekers 134k, 834x1058, Page 2 98k, 838x1100

Letter inducting a character into the Loyal Order of the Seekers. The letter states that it came with a Runic decoder card (presumably the Cidri Common Runes card which follows.)

Cidri Common Runes 29k, 583x420

A card listing the Cidri Runes and the letters they stand for. Dated 1981.

Game Development Procedure 152k, 848x1104

An outline of the Metagaming development process. Dated March 1, 1980.

Please Write! 35k, 688x888

Memo from Interplay editor Trace Hallowell. Dated September 26, 1981.

Insecta Proposal 109k, 828x844, Page 2 83k, 842x1098

A game submission letter for Insecta written by designer Philip Eklund. Includes some illustrations on page two. Dated February 5, 1982.

Be A Playtester 172k, 842x1062

Handwritten notice soliciting playtesters. Dated February 1982.

Game Related Fiction 95k, 842x1104, Advertisement 129k, 836x1062

A form response sent to authors who responded to a Locus advertisement soliciting game related fiction. Dated February 1982.

Product Proposal 63k, 840x1094

Internal proposal for TFT supplement covering outdoor/wilderness adventuring. Dated March 16, 1982.

I'm Going To Work For WHO? 80k, 844x1096, Page 2 102k, 832x560

A letter to Metagaming employees Kevin Hendryx and Normal Royal informing them that their salaried jobs would end in two weeks and they thereafter would be working on a "flat fee per task basis" for Games Research Group. Ironically dated April 1, 1982. The second page describes Games Research Group.

Part-Time Help Wanted 55k, 846x1072

Howard's letter to a school paper soliciting part-time typist and graphics help. Ironically dated April 2, 1982 (see previous document.)

Games Research Group 12k, 600x781

Ok, it's just blank stationery. They all can't be exciting!

Howard's Business Card 10k, 364x218

Definitely more exciting that blank stationery. But not much...

Game Project Control Sheet 102k, 842x1098, Page 2 69k, 836x1054

A form for tracking a game through the production process.

Game Evaluation Agreement 104k, 834x1096

This appears to be a standard form contract for game evaluations.

Your Game Sucks! 103k, 834x1096, Page 2 120k, 828x1072

Attack of the Sun Creatures gets raked over the coals. What? You've never heard of Attack of the Sun Creatures? Now you know why. Dated February 1980.

Office Humor 38k, 600x764

Wondering what the fine minds at Metagaming did with their spare time around the office? Here are some original humorous creations (plus a couple of laughs from outside the company.)

Hitler's Football War?

Orbit War: Designer's Correspondence
Orbit War was a magazine game published by Steve Jackson Games in Space Gamer #66. This release was followed by an expansion published in Space Gamer #67 and a boxed edition published in 1992. These scans were provided by Orbit War designer Wallace Wang (bothecat@home.com, Web Site.)

Letter From Wallace Wang 142k, 800x1075, Page 2 85k, 800x1042

A draft of the designer's proposal letter to Steve Jackson Games. Dated June 11, 1983.

Reply to Orbit War Proposal 77k, 800x1099

Steve Jackson's reply to the designer's proposal letter. Dated June 13, 1983.

"Thank you for your inquiry." 134k, 800x1082

Steve Jackson Games form letter which accompanied the previous document.

Happy Birthday! 122k, 799x1057

Letter accepting Orbit War for publication (received by the designer on his birthday!) Dated September 19, 1983.

Orbit War Contract 178k, 800x1151

The designer's copy of the contract for the purchase of Orbit War.

No More Hexgrids 94k, 800x1052

Allen Varney responds to the designer's inquiry regarding an Orbit War expansion. Dated July 12, 1985.

Unpublished Variant 194k, 616x954, Page 2 195k, 800x1008, Page 3 204k, 800x1021, Page 4 86k, 800x1005

An unpublished Orbit War variant article. Believed to have been authored by Phil Rennert.

Background Notes 3.5k text file

The designer's comments on Orbit War, wargaming, and his work as a stand-up comedian.

Fury of the Norsemen: Prototype
These scans are from the original prototype assembled by designer Kevin Hendryx (KevinHendryx@mail.utexas.edu) in 1979-1980.

Letter From Kevin Hendryx 60k, 600x749

A letter from the designer describing the prototype and confirming its authenticity.

Cover Art? 97k, 600x754

The designer's prototype of the game was stored in an SPI style flat tray. This scan shows a portion of the viking comic strips affixed to the clear plastic cover. There's some inspriation for you!

Handwritten Rulebook 48k, 600x793

The final longhand rules draft, front page. Dated April 1980.

Typed Rulebook 52k, 600x781

The final typed rules draft, front page. Dated April 1980.

Mapsheet 144k, 600x823

A portion of the original hand drawn and hand colored mapsheet.

Handmade Counters 28k, 378x270

Some of the designer's handmade counters.

Counter Comparison 80k, 600x512

A side-by-side comparison of the designer's counters and the final production counters.

Blindtest Notes 103k, 840x1100, Page 2 51k, 824x1100

Playtester Dano Carroll's notes on the game.

Designer's Remarks 60k, 600x786

Front page of an article later published in Interplay issue 5. Dated April 13-14, 1980.

Interplay Letter 84k, 694x716

A letter regarding the game written by Erol K. Bayburt that appears to be prepared for publication in Interplay (although I can't locate the letter in any of the published issues.)

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