NOVA celebrated its ninth anniversary back in April. Yes you read correctly. One more year and we'll be as old as the late ADQ. Something to look forward to, isn't it?
    It's never quiet in New Omaha, or the rest of Nebraska, for that matter. Life never is. UFO sightings have skyrocketed lately, for reasons unknown. Have we become a spaceport or tourist attraction? I don't know.
    New Omaha seems to be in the middle of a mob/gang war. Right in the middle of this crime war is NOPD Detective Hammer. His method of law enforcement is explosive, to say the least. Some report him shooting at jaywalkers. Criminals beware, Hammer's in town.
    The Central Regionals were interesting to say the least. Attendance could've been better. For more on the reports, read on. Enough teasers, on with the newsletter.
 
 

Tired of having new inventions that have no value to you? Well, this issue is devoted to improving your vehicles in one way or the other.

Aerodynamic Fairings: $20/5 lbs. per point, maximum of 50 lbs. (10 points). These fairings are streamlined armor for EWPs. A vehicle with aerodynamic fairings on its EWPs has its speed loss cut to 5%. These fairings cannot be combined with streamlined EWPs.

Revised Hitches: The original rules for hitches came out years ago. However, developments and improvements have increased the possible pulling capacity of car-sized vehicles. To that end we present a revised chart.
 

Hitch Type	Cost	Weight	Load	DP
Light	$250	10 lbs.	2,000 lbs.	1
Medium	$350	20 lbs.	6,000 lbs.	1
Standard	$500	30 lbs.	12,000 lbs.	2
Heavy	$650	40 lbs.	20,000 lbs.	3
X-Heavy	$800	60 lbs.	30,000 lbs.	4
Ultra-Heavy	$1,000	80 lbs.	40,000 lbs.	5

Racing Radial Tires: Cost x 4.25, weight x 2, no additional DP. +3 HC. Not available in plasticore.
 
 

Over the years, items have come and gone. Most have stayed, but a couple have slipped through the cracks of the game We present these here.

Communications Center: This allows the driver or gunner to radio other vehicles up to 25 miles on a variety of frequencies; it automatically scrambles outgoing communications. $2,000, no weight/space. (Sunday Drivers Pocketbox - the Killer RV)

Passenger/Crew Lounge: $400, 50 lbs. per space. Can only be placed in Vans or larger vehicles. A comfortable lounge area for passengers and crew to relax. Lounges do not convert into sleeping areas. Lounges three spaces or larger have their own mini-wet bar. Based on vehicle component break-down.
 
 

New Omaha has never been a dull place to be. We've dealt with terrorists, ARF, BLUD and a long list of other foes. Things never change.
    Detective Hammer continues his war on crime. This time the Ravens and Bootleggers have felt his wrath. Some twenty members of both gangs have been killed or hospitalized by Hammer's "Spring Cleaning".
    Mayor Bill the Cat has announced that city personnel have taken partial control of the flood control lakes around New Omaha in the resettlement zone. Also, a commercial testing area has been established around Springfield.
    Some say a lot of BS goes on in NOVA. Yes and no, while there will always be a certain amount of BS involved in any organization (intrigue and spying highlight most of our campaigns), compromise and sanity must play a part in all player interactions. Car Wars is limited to only two dimensions; with little room for role playing and character development. A lot is left to the players.
    Watch yourselves. Taking the game too seriously is a bad sign. Winning isn't everything; being a good sport is. There will always be rules lawyers, so until those rules are repaired or canceled, no Car Wars game will be perfect.
    The thing that really hurt Car Wars was the tank supplement with military vehicles able to hit targets from miles away. Even I realize how this is. Then there is the invulnerable armor; nuclear weapons seem to be the best choice to use against such armor. Excuse me, but when did the name change from Car Wars to Ogre?
    Ignoring players is the biggest error any gaming company can make. Listening to a ranting writer's ego instead of the actual players is a sin. Sorry that this turned into an editorial, but I had to let it out or go mad.
 
 

April 10, 2044: Toytown explodes, R & D facility lockdown.

April 11, 2044: The Protectorate War has finally ended! Gadget comes home. New Omaha, Bellevue, Chalco, Fremont, Blair, Lincoln, and Battle are placed under martial law. Toytown resists. Curfew imposed. Rocket Station applies to UN for recognition of sovereignty.

April 12, 2044: Toytown placed under martial law. DJ Battle brought in. Nine missiles are launched from Lake Michigan; all are shot down by DKI, ACE/Radius, Battle, and NOVA. Targets were believed to be in Nebraska and Florida. The Naval Reserves sink an unidentified sub in Lake Michigan.
    Arkaynjel stole a prototype stealth gyrocopter from Toytown and flew south. The government named Arkaynjel a fugitive. His crimes include: international terrorism, illegal cloning and violation of computer laws
    Detective Hammer killed two drug dealers today during a routine investigation. It was later revealed that they were members of the Raven gang. Hammer vowed "to clean the scum from the streets".

This notice was broadcast from DSA:
    At 2:44 GMT, DSA declared war on GGI and its allies. It placed a sanction on the following organizations and individuals: Guns & Gadgets Inc./Toytown, and all persons and organizations connected with the aforementioned or company; the individuals known as the Jackal and his organization. All persons affiliated or working with these organizations are to be killed on confirmation of identity. Their bodies are to be delivered to the capitol building in Pretoria, DSA. All equipment captured will be brought also; if non-portable, location of materials to be noted and communicated to a DSA representative for appropriate disposal. Upon confirmation of equipment and personnel, bounties will be paid in whatever medium desired. Use of this sanction in pursuit of personal revenge will be dealt with by death. Bounty info will be forthcoming.
    "Personal comment: These individuals, by their actions, have forfeited their fight to live among civilized nations. They have committed acts which have contributed to the collapse of civilization. This will not be tolerated."

HANS A. VORSTED DSA
 

April 13, 2044: Thorsten Godfrey's pizza firm won a court case against a group of citizens who had filed an injunction against Torgo's Pizza. Evidently, the citizens were annoyed by the theme music which TP delivery vehicles play on their sound systems. Godfrey said, "I use the theme music to alert those who have ordered pizza that it's on its way ".
    All GGI and Toytown assets are frozen in the US and abroad. NOVA is cooperating fully with all investigations. The cities of New Omaha and Toytown are put under martial law.
    Rumors of multi-million dollar bounties on NOVA members have been heard. Some names include Joseph Ratner, Gadget, Detective Hammer and Michael Shadow.
    Detective Hammer killed several Bootleggers in what was called a "drug deal gone sour". The NOPD has not released many details on the bust. It is known that a house was destroyed during the bust. Hammer's only comment was "that'll teach that vermin" .

April 14, 2044: Dozen of Jackal agents were captured in response to the DSA sanction. The Federal government announced arrest warrants for all GGI/Toytown personnel have been put out. Targets include Gadget, Mechmaster, and Arkaynjel. The ten GGI divisions have been ordered to surrender at nearby U.S. military bases.

April 15, 2044: Joseph Racer re-opened NOVA Headquarters in celebration of the ninth anniversary. All fire damage has been repaired. The annual NOVA party saw No-Gun, the Weasel, DeathKnight, and Hans Vorsted.
    The Jackal's Midwestern infrastructure was revealed and destroyed. Several Ravens are reported dead after a run-in with Detective Hammer. Commissioner Smith commented, "Hammer did spot several Ravens involved in illegal activities. I've yet to receive the full report of the bust. Hammer's methods may be explosive, but he does his job ".

April 16, 2044: The Spitting Cobra Legion is pardoned and disbanded by President M. Culkin. The President said, "the U.S. people thanks the S~Spitting Cobra Legion for fulfilling their debt to the country".
    All Bootlegger drug operations revealed by Police Commissioner John Smith.

April 17, 2044: All Bootlegger drug operations destroyed by NOPD's C-4

April 18, 2044: Arkaynjel flees before he can be arrested.
    The Bootleggers lost several members when they tangled with Detective Hammer today at the marina. At least two boats were sunk and part of a pier was destroyed.

April 19, 2044: GGI troops found to be clones. Michael Shadow brought in.
    The Bootleggers were Hammer's target again; he intercepted a shipment of drugs on 1-80. Amazingly, no one was injured or killed in the arrest. At least twenty vehicles were damaged in the incident, including Hammer's car.

April 21, 2044: Several Ravens were killed in a shootout With Detective Hammer in Regency. The home of former mayor Brian Faulkner was slightly damaged in the shootout. Mr. Faulkner had no comment on the shootout.

April 22, 2044: Several more Bootleggers and Ravens were killed today when Detective Hammer broke up a meeting between the two organizations. One warehouse was destroyed in the bust, and several tons of illegal drugs and guns were confiscated by the police.

April 23, 2044: DEATH stopped a gang of Protectorate terrorists in Missouri. This is DEATH's first appearance in two years.

April 27, 2044: Terrorism charges against G & G dropped.

April 30, 2044: Brazil shuts down all ports, airports and boarders due to an outbreak of an unknown plague. The Brazilian government fears the Plague is due to the use of bio-weapons from the Protectorate War.

May 1,2044: Arkaynjel spotted in Texas. UN hears Rocket Station's plea, begins investigations. The Nebraska Unicameral officially recognized Milford as an incorporated city. No comment from the Battle government.

May 2, 2044: Arkaynjel captured in New Mexico by federal authorities. The Brazilian Empire formally asked for Arkaynjel's extradition. Thousands die in Europe, the U.S.A., Asia and Africa due to the "Wilson Plague".

May 4, 2044: Arkaynjel is sent to Brazil by plane.

May 5, 2044: Arkaynjel's plane is missing and believed to have crashed into the ocean.
    The U.S. Department of Health closes all borders, ports and airports. Brazil claims a half million dead from the Wilson Plague.
    The Wilson Plague goes through four stages in its victims:
    1. High sexual activity in women and impotence in men. (First three days).
    2. Sterility after (day 3).
    3. Extreme fatigue (day 4).
    4. Death (day 5).

Children are carriers if they haven't reached puberty. One in ten adults are carriers, but won't die from the Plague. For Car Wars effects roll two dice if a character comes in physical contact with a plague-infected person. On a 9 or higher the character will contract the Plague and die. Those that manage to survive will be sterile, but immune from future exposure to the Plague.

May 6, 2044: The Brazilian Empire formally asked the U.S. for Toytown.

May 7, 2044: Lieutenant Hasheem Anovid transferred from Chicago to New Omaha and assigned to Detective Hammer. Press already calling the two "Hammer and Anvil".
    The federal government orders Toytown evacuated immediately, in preparation for the Brazilian Empire's takeover. Toytown was destroyed by a "mysterious" meteor strike. Aftershocks were felt as far away as KC-I and Des Moines.

May 8, 2044: Lt. Hasheem Anovid dies of a heart attack brought on by Hammer's extreme behavior.

May 9, 2044: The Brazilian Empire formally takes possession of the land where Toytown once stood.

May 10, 2044: Total plague deaths number around two million worldwide and growing. Throughout the world a cure is being sought. Most countries have ground to a halt and the Plague panic grips them all. Clone banks have closed and all clones are being destroyed since they have no immunity to the Plague.

May 12, 2044: Martial law lifted from Lincoln, Battle, Fremont, Blair, New Omaha, Bellevue, and Chalco.

May 14, 2044: Maverick is killed during a prison breakout engineered by two of Jonathan Dark's cyberninjas. DKI and Daimschell Tread Works stock dropped 10 points, due to the end of the Protectorate War.

May 16, 2044: Sovereign status for Rocket Station denied by UN. Rocket Station complies with USAF impoundment.

May 17, 2044: DKI stock dropped another five points as sales to the U.S. military drop.

May 21,2044: Playland Park officially opened for business in Council Bluffs. It features amusement park rides, micro-games, and an arena and speedway. The park owner's promised to start running a normal dueling and speed event schedule.

May 23, 2044: The NOPD found Detective Hammer's car shot up and abandoned near I-80 and L street. Police Commissioner Smith had no info on Detective Hammer's whereabouts.

May 26, 2044: Battle's management receives an offer from Sears USA to purchase the city. The amount offered is unknown.

May 27, 2044: Battle announced it would start selling parts of the city to stave off the buyout. This action has been approved by the state government.

May 28, 2044: A farmer was stunned to find a "crop circle" in his cornfield. He reported seeing strange lights the previous night. Local observers spotted several UFOs in the New Omaha area. Offutt NGB reported nothing strange on their radars.

May 30, 2044:  The Jackal captured Dragonmazer near Los Disney. NOVA vows to gain Dragonmazer's release.

June 1, 2044: Many executives died in Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Europe, Brazil and Japan. Among the dead were representatives of DKI, former GGI, Los Disneys and many others. The U.S. officials are not talking about it. Investigations are underway.
    Farmers near Alliance, Nebraska found "crop circles" in their fields. Several reports of UFOS were also made. Scientists are investigating the circles.

The Jackal broadcasted the following message over local radio frequencies:
    "Well, NOVA scum, it seems I have one of your own. If you want him back, reply through the news media."
    The Jackal.

June 2, 2044: Four crop circles appeared in fields around Lincoln.

NOVA replies to the Jackal:
    "You will not get away with this. You will die for your gutless warfare upon this country. This is a promise."

June 3, 2044: More dead executives were found. Government investigations continue.

June 4, 2044: The U.S. government believes it has the cure for the Wilson Plague and is testing it. Several testing centers have been overrun with volunteers. The death toll from the Plague worldwide is four million. Healthofficials warn that the Plague is spread by physical contact.

June 8, 2044: The U.S. Plague cure fails. European researchers have found a cure and will be testing it. South Africa announced it is close to finding a cure to the Wilson Plague.
    Plague death toll worldwide is five million. Health officials inform that all bodies of dead plague victims and their clothes must be burned.

June 17, 2044: Several crop circles appeared in fields around Fremont. As with the other cases, UFOs were seen the previous night.

June 21, 2044: Researchers from various countries have pooled their knowledge through computer links to find a cure for the Wilson Plague. Plague deaths now total eight million worldwide

June 25, 2044: Plague researchers announce a cure has been found for the Plague. World-wide production has begun. Plague deaths have reached nine million worldwide.

June 28, 2044: A crop circle was found near Plattsmouth.

June 30, 2044: "Replicant" process proven to be different from cloning. Charges of illegal cloning against GGI dropped.

July 1, 2044: World-wide distribution of the Plague cure began today. 10
million dead mark reached.

July 3, 2044: Plague deaths are slowing due to the cure and unflinching application of safety measures. Total of 10.3 million dead.

July 14, 2044: Plague deaths now only number hundreds world-wide. Health care officials give the clear signal, but will oversee clean-up operations in Plague-intensive areas. 10.4 million believed dead due to the Wilson Plague.
 
 

Since we visit so many conventions in any given year, it's a good idea to review their good and bad points. Big or small, all conventions are fair game.

Spring Campaign '94: March 26 (one-day gaming con). Attendance was small, mainly Omaha gaming community members. Star Fleet Battles and Car Wars tournaments were held. The Car Wars tournament results were:
    1st Place: Chris French
    2nd: Michael Garrity
    3rd: Ron Soller
    4th: Don Jacques and Norman McMullen (tied)

It could have been better attended, and probably will be next year. NOVA has already been invited back. Spring Campaign '94 was a mediocre one-day gaming con with potential to become better, given time. Not a winner first time out.

Andromeda One: Another first time convention, this one ran three days. The short commute was no problem(SLOW). This problem was augmented by a horde of sports fans and athletes contesting with the sci-fi/fantasy fans for available elevators Talk about a strange brew. Luckily, nobody was injured and no scuffles happened.
    The convention was spread out over three floors of the hotel, with most of it centered on the second floor. Sadly, the Dealer's Room was only two-third's filled. Video rooms offered a variety of programming. Various panels were available. Saturday night saw a few parties going on, some of them held by other conventions (none by Impact).
    The main game room was on the lower level and in one comer (there was enough room). Special gaming rooms were also available on the third floor for special events, such as the Car Wars Regional.
    Sadly, lackluster attendance hurt the convention. Considering it was competing against Demi-Con in Des Moines, it was no big surprise. It was a very friendly convention with a lot of people from Omaha attending.
    Overall, it was a nice convention with no serious problems. Attendance needs for improvement. Look for it to get even better next year.
 
 

This issue we feature return fire from all over the world. First up is Scott Haring, who has some interesting things to say about the Regionals:

"NOVA is in the Central Region, not the Midwest (see "AADA News," Pyramid #5), so you are actually running the AADA Central Regional. There are three clubs in the Central Region: NOVA, MADD and the newly-formed Hammer's Slammers. As for Craig Sheeley and MADD, all you can do is invite him. If he doesn't come, it's his loss. You also mentioned running Racing Regionals at Andromeda One. You can run any events you want, of course, but we are not sanctioning Racing Tournaments at the Regional level this year. The Racing Worlds will be an open event at GenCon, with no seeding for Club or Regional champions (the seeding for the Dueling Championships at Origins remains as explained in the last newsletter).
    "I'll be sending a note to Hammer's Slammers and MADD about the Regional -- hope everything goes well. Thanks for hanging with us all these years."

Next is Ben Scott, who is a long time friend. Over the years he has gotten out of Car Wars but still contributed to NOVA and the Nightmessenger.

"When I was cleaning out my apartment a couple of months ago (a two-week process), I came across a surprising number of Nightmessenger issues that I'd never even read or opened! I thought that I'd been keeping up with what you sent me, but apparently there were 4 or 5 issues that I'd somehow lost (under the bed, beneath piles of stuff, wherever) before even opening them. So I'm still gradually reading through them all. I'm getting less and less from them since so much of the material seems to be concerned with things non-clubmembers wouldn't know anything about. I'm curious about how much your other nonlocal subscribers (who nevertheless play CW a lot more than I do, I'm sure) can follow it.
    "Also while cleaning up the place I unearthed a large amount of my old gaming stuff, including lots of Car Wars stuff, I'll have to go through and make an inventory of it all; I have quite a bit of the early stuff and some ofit may be worth something. At the least I have several years' worth of theoriginal ADQs, some dating back to the first year. Do you know anyone who would be interested in picking up stuff like this? I think it's a safe bet that I'll never be using it again, seeing as how it's been forever since I've heard of anyone here in town running a game."

Here's a letter from Stephane Galley. He has some interesting things to say about the state of Car Wars and Tanks. It's interesting reading to consider.

"Hi Norm!
    "Long time no write. I know, but by the time, you should begin to know me...
    "Of course, I still have lots of excuses for not writing (the usual: gaming, exams, gaming, going abroad, gaming, networking, gaming, various jobs, and of course, gaming...). But now, if my archives are up-to-date, there will be a year since my last letter. It's getting big. And I feel a little guilty about still receiving the Nightmessenger without having actually submitted anything for it since then...
    "So, now I decided to take a bit of time and set down on the paper a few I have been rummaging for a while. First, a few local and not-so-local news: as you may already know, Car Wars is going to be dropped about everywhere. SJG recently said by the mouth of Lloyd Blankenship (on the net) that they weren't going to support Car Wars other than in GURPS Autoduel stuff, simply because it didn't sell well enough. Well, same here; French translator Siroz doesn't plan on doing any more Car Wars for the same reasons. On a more local scale, our last three monthly arenas have been canceled because of a lack of attendance.
    "So let's face it, Car Wars is dying. Fast.
    "What can we, gamers and duelists, do about it?
    "This is a point I want to discuss. Feel free to copy all or whatever part you might feel significant, with or without (preferably with) orthographic changes...
    "What is Car Wars? In my opinion, it's a tactical boardgame that tries to simulate car (and various ground vehicle) combat in a near-future. It gives players the opportunity to design their vehicles from scratch and pit them in an arena, using complex movement and combat rules. Until there, I think everybody will agree.
    "What isn't Car Wars? First of all, it is no role-playmg game. As in most boardgames, there is a small part of role-playing, but even if there's a reasonable background, character creation and experience rules, there isn't much flesh out real roleplaying. Besides, Car Wars is very much car-oriented; not too much place for peds in that... It isn't a wargame either. Since I'm not that fluent in Wargamism, I won't make a fool of myself trying to explain why, but I think most people will get the point.
    "Now that it's set, let's see why Car Wars was a once-successful game that is now going down the hill pretty fast and what we could do to, if not raise it back up, at least slow down or even stop that fall.
    "When it was first published, Car Wars was a little pocket box game, with ameasly 32 page rulebook, a few counters and road sections; rules were complex, yet understandable, cars easy to build, with enough variety to keep interesting for some time. Now what we have is a 100+ pages monster rulebook with a 250+ monster equipment book; okay, there are a few redundancies, yet all considered, there may be about 300 pages of stuff This makes a lot. Add to this that even the lowliest beginner that want to enter an arena with a few long-time garners have better absorb at least half of it to stand some chances. Perhaps there is the beginning of an answer here...
    "Another thing is the playability. Most of us are long-time players, who don't mind sitting for six hours and more, waiting for people to play their moves and calculate how fast they must be to make whatever jump they plan, etc. We also don't care about all the rule-lawyering that never fails to arise around this or that particular situation (firing while on the top, jumping out of a burning vehicle, does LOS take the side or the center of a counter? Do we have to touch the counter or the vehicle to hit? etc... ). Beginners and newbies can get bored pretty fast. Think about it: one hour to build a car, six hours to play to simulate a 20 second combat... What's more, Joe Newbie has an average life expectancy of 10-25% of the combat time in any game, including veterans. If our little greenhorn duelist isn't bored to the deepest circle of hell by the game pace and arguments, that's a very powerful and final deterrent. At least here in Geneva, most of the people who played Car Wars but don't anymore complained about the fact that they never stood a chance against us.
    "That's a lot of points raised and questions asked. Questions that need answers.

Q l: Why is Car Wars dying?
A 1: Because there are fewer and fewer people playing it. That was simple enough.

Q2: Why is there fewer and fewer people playing it?
A2a: Because the older players get bored or (variant) get a life (i.e. a non-gaming girl/boyfriend).
A2b: There is no "new generation". Now things get a little more complicated...

Q3: Why isn't there any "new generation"? Three reasons are there before my eyes:
A3a: Car Wars has grown more and more complicated, in terms of rules and equipment.
A3b: It's a slow game, requiring a pretty long attention span.
A3c: When playing with long-time players, new players don't get too much of a chance.

Q4: WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT IT?...

"Glad you asked. In a word, make Car Wars more easily accessible to new players. Here are some suggestions on how to do it:

- Simplify the rules. I'm sure I can write some Car Wars simplification whose movement and combat rules would fit on a single, double sided sheet of paper, and I'm pretty sure that about anybody else can do this too...

- Make copies of these rules and give them to people who want to play. Okay, SJG is going to yell "Copyright!" or something like that, but if they want to let Car Wars die, I don't! Besides, it's for non-commercial, educational purposes. If they do yell, change the names, rewrite the rules and call it "Spawn of Fashan"! .. (insert smiley here)

- Make their first combat an Amateur night, i.e. no gunner or driver mods, everybody with the same car, "open sheet" (i.e. no hidden damage) and have one experienced player as a referee, making things go fast. Don't hesitate to stop the action to explain things out, though.

- If you feel you have fast learners, do it again, but let your players rearrange armor and weapons, you even can make up some particular options (turrets, extinguishers, special ammo, etc.).

- If they get hooked, you can organize more combat, introducing vehicle design, but staying with basic stuff and very cut-down equipment and weapon list. The name of the game is to give new players a taste o Car Wars without all the headaches, and With compatibility! Competition (i.e. a local championship) can also be a good idea.

- And, eventually, when they exhausted all the options or if they want real challenge, invite them for a "friendly arena" with all the veterans of your local AADA chapter.

"That's it. Simple, eh? Actually, not that much. It requires a lot of preparation and the desire to be a little of a teacher...
    "Yeah, I hear you say, "does it work, o mighty Car Wars Guru M.D.?". Frankly, I haven't got a clue. I haven't tested this program, and I probably won't have the time to do it, with all my current projects going. So be warned, everything above (well, most of everything...) is pure speculation, supposition. Suggestions. Not the real thing. If I sure I held The Truth , I would have already booted Steve Jackson out of his directorial chair, had his company renamed "Uncle Alias Games", sold GURPS to White Wolf or TSR and used all the money to cast a Heavy-Duty Resurrection Spell on Car Wars...
    "But I don't, so I won't (beside the fact that I'm 6,000 miles from Austin, Texas...). I just write some steam off in an obscure club newsletter far away from the place I live in... All I can offer here is the starting point of what I hope will be, if not a debate, at least a thinking process for all Car Wars concerned people who read this: how can we save our favorite game?
    "Feedback is welcomed, either in future columns of the Nightmessenger [Norman, if you don't like the idea of having lots of idiots filling out your magazine with more gibberish, edit this out. Fast.], by private mail (Stephane "Alias" Gallay, 35 Traille, CH-1213 ONEX), by Internet E-Mail (satellit@di.epfl.ch), or on various net.places, like rec.gamesboard or the Metaverse.
    "Phew! Quite long-winded, am I not? I hope this won't bore you to death, but it was something that was gnawing on me for some time now.
    "Now, back to our regular rants... I like a lot of issue 7-3, and lt"s too bad you didn't go on with that kind of layout. It was nice, much more fan/magazine-like than newsletter-like as it is now. I hope for it to come back in future issues.
    "One thing about the HD streamers: it seems to me an awfully powerful weapon for the money, weight and spaces. Especially if you think that doubling the length and width mean actually quadrupling the area covered, and thus the amount of gas. I'd see more something along the line of $1,000, 200 lbs., and 3 spaces for the HD streamer, twice the listed ammo weight and price; same thing for the HDFCS. As a rule of thumb, you'd better overestimate the efficiency of a weapon: if it's of no use, everybody will gripe about how lousy it is, but if it's too powerful, everybody will be all too happy to put tons of them in their next cars and nuke the unprepared opposition to droplets of melted metal and plastic...
    "Regarding this subject, as well as the understandable tables that appeared in the last Nightmessenger, when I choose a weapon for one of my vehicles, I look at several factors: one of the most important is weight vs. space; then there's damage vs. space; then price vs. to-hit. One example: flamethrowers. They may seem lousy weapons, for they are quite down the charts in the first two categories, yet are very good at the third; maybe the best! And in this case there's always that little extra: fire.
    "Another point in line: we recently managed to get enough Car Wars players around a table to play a bit. This is the good news. The bad news is we played a monster D5000, everything goes, military division. The result was, in the set-up, eight Car Wars maps, eight teams, and sixty-seven vehicles!..
    "Among them, one extra-extra-extra-large airship (along with twelve escort choppers), two 200+ space tanks, 25 Stalinorgeln (i.e. trucks with tons of R7 artillery rockets). Can you imagine the mess? We couldn't. At first that is.. but we quickly realized...
    "The first phase of the first second took one and a half hours to be played, since everybody (sensing that they wouldn't probably last any longer) said "I shoot" in the end. The second phase was sensibly shorter: half an hour. The problem then was that one of the multiple missiles launched at the airship was a fac-nuke. The guy who fired it managed like thirty kills in one shot. I wouldn't like to be the one to paint the airship kill on the chopper. When second 2 started, there were hardly 15 vehicles left on the field. After a few more shots and a 2250-point ram (new record!), the two supertanks were about the only thing still intact on the field, as they discovered their weapons couldn't do much damage to each other's armor.
    "Well, that wasn't fun. First of all, there were just too many vehicles. Second, the whole thing looked like the National Dice-Rolling Championship. I had four choppers fitted with 15 incendiary super rockets, all linked together. That made for 151 dice of damage, +151... This is outright ridiculous! The only thing as ridiculous as this is Tunnels & Trolls! So be it, Car Wars Tanks will be the only Car Wars supplement I won't buy.
    "Okay, Tank Wars is meant to say to autoduellists: "Look folks, there's something much more powerful than you...", but frankly, it just sounds too much like Monty Hall for me. The guys at SJG, while leaving the "standard" damage system to keep it compatible with standard Car Wars, should have added some kind of system to let people play tanks vs. tanks without having to roll umpteen dices every now and then. Even then, I doubt it would be enjoyable.
    "(By the way, we discovered a very powerful way to get rid to choppers: proximity-fused rockets. Preferably super rockets, of course. To-hit 3, 4d of damage in a 3" radius: a couple of these and say goodbye to your rotors, sucker! Works also great against non-jet planes!)
    "Okay, enough ranting for now, I have other things to do, other people to flame, a whole Swiss Center to build on the Metaverse, monsters to bash in Angband, two supplements for Tigres Volants to finish, conventions to prepare, exams to work upon... Oh, well, the usual!

"Be reading you later! "Fire in Harmony!..."
 
 

Before the 2036 2nd English Civil War and the removal of King William (RAG), KW had made clear his desire to release Northern Ireland and Scotland to nominal autonomy. It was this issue, among others, which led to KW's downfall. Following the Fall, all Scots and Irish units defected from England and "crossed the border". This mass defection sufficiently weakened England's defense that England could not prosecute an offensive against either nation. This stalemate has lasted from 2037 on.
    The S & I then entered into a subtle campaign to return KW to power. S & I deployed ambassadors to every nation on Earth, gathering support for KW's return.
    In the meantime, S & I SPECTRE has been engaged in attacks against "rebel" (English) political and military personnel. Attacks are very precise; a brick of shaped C-4 blowing away an English governor attending a horse race without leaving so much as a bloodstain on those sitting next to him, for example. SPECTRE also has been attacking Mafiosi; the Mafia helped support the rebels with arms and money.
 
 

1- All boats have full tops built in. Removing part or all of a boat's top reduces hull cost and weight by 5% (half top) or 10% (full top). Reason: Lack of a top exposes internal components to weapons fire and gaseous explosives unnecessarily; also, no sensible duelist would ride an open-topped vehicle into combat (flame clouds, etc.).

2- Hull weights for the Dinghy, Speedboat, and Cruiser are out of logical sequence with the Rowboat and Yacht. The new and proper weights are: Dinghy-500, Speedboat-1300, Cruiser-3300. Reason: A Rowboat's hull weight takes up 12.5% of its max weight, and the Yacht's hull weight takes up 25% of its max weight. The hull weight/max weight percentages of the Dinghy, Speedboat, and Cruiser are 43%, 38.5%, and 36% respectively. This makes no sense.

3- New hulls are provided to fill the huge gaps in size between the Dinghy and Speedboat, Speedboat and Cruiser, and Cruiser and Yacht. The hulls are:
 

Hull Type	Cost	Hull Wgt.	Max. Wgt.	HC	Spaces	Armor $/lbs.
Light Speedboat	$6,000	850 lbs.	5,000 lbs.	3	13(2)	16/8
Light Cruiser	$14,000	2,200 lbs.	11,000 lbs.	2	20(8)	25/12
Heavy Cruiser	$32,500	6,400 lbs.	27,500 lbs.	1	33(14)	33/16

Cruiser hulls must have decks; Speedboats may have them as an option. Lt. Speedboats have the same maneuver modifiers and restrictions as regular Speedboats. Lt. and Hv. Cruisers have the same maneuver modifiers and restrictions as regular Cruisers.

4- A new power plant is provided to fill the gaping hole between the medium and large plants:
    Standard PP. - $3,500, 1,500 lbs., 6 spaces, 3,800 PF, 12 DP, prop cost and weight same as large plant.

5- Dinghies have Handling Class 3. Reason: There is no major difference in handling between a Rowboat and a Dinghy.

Revised boat designs:

Pike - Dinghy, small power plant w/PC & SC, small propeller, pilot, VMG left linked to VMG right, MML rear, targetting computer. Armor: F25, L25, R25, B25, U1, U25. Accel. 5, top speed 65, HC 3; 2,996 lbs., $14,563. NM

Gar - Dinghy, small power plant, pilot, VMG w/HD ammo front, heavy homing torpedo left, SWC - VMG. Armor: F40, L35, R35, B30, T10, U26 with 10 points of CA for the pilot. Accel. 5, Top speed 60, HC 3; 2,996 lbs., $13,188. MG

Coastal Defender - Cruiser, large power plant, propeller, pilot 15 homing torpedos (5 left, 5 right, 5 rear) linked. Armor: F30, L30, R30, B30, T1, U40. Accel. 10, Top speed 80, HC 1; 9,705 lbs., $39,980. NM
 

This was the sixth regional NOVA had the pleasure of hosting. Over the years I've seen enough controversy and winning/losing streaks to give anyone gray hairs, and this year was no different.
    This year's regional was reminiscent of the movie "Robot Jox," the reason will become apparent later. The competitors were: Don Jacques (Amex driver), Tim Jacques (club champion of Hammer's Slammers), Michael Garrity (NOVA), and Chris French (NOVA's club champion, sponsored by Torgo's Pizza). Cars were inspected and set to enter the Hammer Downs Arena.
    They entered at 40 mph. Michael fired three times at Chris with his HVMG and missed. Chris headed up one comer ramp, laying down a double-rows of spikes. Don fired his VMG at Tim, who was going up a ramp; Tim took minor damage. Michael fired and hit Chris's rear, doing minor damage. Michael then turned his attention to Don.
    Chris and Tim circled on the upper level. Along the way Chris left strategically placed double row of spikes. Michael continued to hammer on Don as he chased the Amex driver onto the upper level. Don left a line of spikes on the ramp; Michael took tire damage when he hit one patch. Don left another trail near the wall on the upper level and triggered a flaming oil discharger while trying to maintain control of his skidding vehicle. In a desperate effort to shake Mike, Don slammed on the brakes, dropping to 20 mph. Michael rammed Don's rear; Don tried to do a bootlegger reverse, but Michael hit him again with his HVMG, forcing Don into another skid. Result - Don lost both front tires and skidded to a stop. Michael maneuvered into Don's rear arc and fired two shots. Don surrendered.
    Finding his passage blocked by Chris's spikes, Tim jumped from the upper level to the lower and headed for Michael. Michael, realizing that he was moving too slowly to make the upper-level jump, turned, shot at Tim, and missed. Tim tried to set up a shot, but Michael moved to the other side of the jump ramp. Chris hit twice, doing moderate damage to Michael's right side. Chris, who by this time had circled back around, fired his three RRs at Michael, who activated his defensive smoke screen. Chris hit twice, doing moderated damage to Michael's right side.
    Michael turned around and Chris hit his front, doing major damage; in return Michael missed Chris's front. The two traded shots again before Chris passed by, leaving yet another double row of spikes. Now trapped on the jump ramp, Michael began laying down heavy smoke.
    The other duelists called the situation "Where's Mike?".
    Avoiding Don's spikes, Tim came back to the upper level to attack Michael. Chris doubled back and fired at Michael again. Tim jumped to Michael's ramp and hit him with three RR rounds. Michael moved to one side and fired his remaining ice discharger; Tim's snow tires defeated that tactic. Tim sideswiped Michael and fired his ice and oil dischargers. Michael barely stayed in control at 30 mph.
    Desperate to escape, Michael accelerated towards the edge of the ramp and tried to jump down to a lower-level landing ramp. The landing destroyed his left front tire and caused him to skid. The skid destroyed his right front tire! He came to a halt with his nose pointed towards the floor. Now disabled, but not killed, Michael watched Tim and Chris fight it out. Tim drove off the upper level again, landed with no damage. He drove back toward the upper level to duel Chris. After running a short distance, Chris did a 180turn The champions traded RR volleys; Tim got the worst of the exchange, as his front armor was breached. Tim rammed Chris. Tim died, but Chris was knocked senseless for a moment. Chris awoke to find himself in a tie with Michael; the officials ruled that a handweapon or hand-to-hand fight would be used to break the tie.
    They agreed to finish it up with clubs. Squaring off, they struck and parried for nineteen seconds before Michael was knocked unconscious. After a battle reminiscent of the climax of "Robot Jox", Chris won the regional.
    Elapsed time was 64 seconds, making it the longest regional on record.

Finishing placement:
lst: Chris French (1 Kill, 1 Hand-to-Hand win, survivor point)
2nd: Michael Garrity (1 Kill)
3rd: Tim Jacques (Killed)
4th: Don Jacques (Surrendered)
 
 

Here we go, bringing Vehicle Guide 1 into line with "modem" Car Wars.

2044 Galleria Taxi: Mid-size, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, large power plant with PC and SC, 4 PR tires, driver, 2 passengers (2 spaces, 200 lbs. each), turreted HMG with HD ammo, SD with explosive ammo rear linked to HMG and dischargers, 2 tear gas dischargers - one in passenger compartment and one in driver's compartment, targeting computer, anti-theft system linked to 10 fletchette dischargers and tear gas dischargers. Armor: F46, L40, R40, B45, T46, U10. Accel. 5, top speed 102.5, HC 3; 5,759 lbs., $17,958.
    Cargo version: Remove SD. Cargo capacity: 1 space and 76 lbs.

2044 Hercules: Luxury, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, T-Cat power plant withPC and SC, 4 PR tires, driver, RR front, 2 SSs (1R, 1L) linked to RR, 2 targeting computers, ultra-heavy hitch, HD transmission. Armor: F35, L30, R30, B35, T2, U10. Accel. 2.5/5, top speed 90 w/trailer, 192.5 w/o trailer, HC 3; 6,600 lbs., $33,290. Towing capacity: 39,630 lbs.

Magnum Motors 2044 Economy: Standard cabover, x-hvy, chassis, regular power plant With PC, 10 PR tires, driver, gunner, RR front, small rocket platform with 2 linked HRs, fire extinguisher, extra driver controls. Sloped armor: F50, L40, R40, B30, T30, U20, 6-10 point wheelguards. Accel. 2.5/5, top speed 152.5/100 full load, HC 0; 11,970 lbs., $58,900.

Amex 2044 Nightstick: Compact, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, medium power plant with PC & SC, 4 solid FP tires, driver, MG with magazine front (all anti-personnel), FG with magazine in universal turret, hi-res computer. FP armor: F38, L37, R37, B38, T30, U20, 4-10 point FP wheelguards. Accel. 5, top speed 95, HC 2; 4,440 lbs., $26,300.
    G version -- remove MG and magazine. Add GL with rotary magazine switch front. Price does not include grenades. 4,425 lbs., $21,750.
    GOR version -- as G version but remove 5 points of armor. Suspension to OR, tires to OR FP solids, add brushcutter. Wheelguards to wheelhubs. 4,435 lbs. $23,870. HC 3 off-road

Samson 2044 Bastille: Compact, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, large power plant with PC, 4 PR tires, driver, RL front, SD rear. Armor: F40(ramplate), L35, R35, B35, T20, U20. Accel. 10, top speed 120, HC 3; 4,105 lbs., $9,935.
    Division 15 version: Make RL and SD loads incendiary. Add five points of non-front armor. 4,195 lbs., $10,550.
 
 

One lap Drag: A single lap race performed on any race track where acceleration is more important than overall top speed or longevity.

Trading paint: Any collision that does no damage to either vehicle due to similar speeds. The vehicles simply trade paint.

Freight train: When three or more race cars are linked up in draft (one behind the other) for faster speeds. Drivers out of the draft get passed like a freight train going by.

Buffalo shots: firing into the back of a foe, which is usually undefended by weapons. A groaner for MST3K favs

Rollerskate: A subcompact or compact car. Similar terms are: pregnant skateboard or rollerskate.
 
 

Starship: It's Not Over ('Til It's Over)
Billy Joel: Close to the Bordline
Billy Idol: Blue Highway
 
 

As dark as it may, here it is. This is a dark period right now.

"What's the Cost?... Your colon" from the movie It Takes Two
"You can't destroy anything. I just rearranged it", "There goes a million years of bad karma" It Takes Two
'My time here is limited, my business is nearly completed" The Wraith
 
 

This issue we feature the cars used in the latest Midwest Regional. Check out just how deadly they can be.

DMN-8R (Chris French): Luxury, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, 150 ci engine with turbocharger, 5 gallon dueling tank, 4 PR snow tires, driver, 3 linked RRs w/HEAT ammo front, 2 linked SDs w/incendiary ammo and an extra magazine w/incendiary ammo each (one back and right), HRSWC, overdrive, HD brakes, streamlining. Sloped armor: F75, L60, R60, B70, T1, U5. Accel. 10, top speed 70 (90 with overdrive), HC 3; 6,600 lbs., $27,985.

War Pig (Michael Garrity): Luxury, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, large power plant with SCs, 4 PR radial tires, driver, HVMG with HD ammo front and extra magazine of incendiary ammo, magazine switch, SS with extra magazine (all loads hot smoke) under linked to HVMG, 2 pairs of linked ice and point defense dischargers (1L, I R), HRSWC, HD shocks. Sloped armor: F50, L44, R44, B39, T6, U10, 10 points of fireproof component armor for driver, power plant and HVMG Accel. 5, top speed 90, HC 4; 6,595 lbs., $28,121.

The Somme (Tim Jacques): Luxury, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, large power plant with SC, 4 PR snow tires, driver, 3 linked RRs w/HESH ammo front, EWP top with RR filled with HESH ammo front, 5 points of EWP armor, HRSWC, smart link (RRs), 2 bumper triggers (I L, 1R), oil discharger and ice discharger located on each left and right and linked to appropriate bumper triggers. Hot smoke discharger front and back, flaming oil discharger under, flame cloud discharger top. Sloped armor: F50, L40, R40, B40, T3, U4, 5 points of FP component armor for driver and power plant. Accel. 5, top speed 80 (due to EWP), HC 3; 6,600 lbs., $28,893.

Amex Brick Box (Don Jacques): Pickup, x-hvy, chassis, hvy. suspension, super power plant, 6 PR tires, driver, VMG with HD ammo front, SD w/explosive ammo rear linked to VMG, HRSWC, HD shocks, no-paint windshield, paint and flaming oil dischargers left and right. Sloped armor: F90, L70, R70, B70, T10, U10. Accel. 5, top speed 100, HC 2; 7,800 lbs., $28,165.
 
 

Mayor Bill the Cat, formerly Russ Hassan, was born on March 9, 1990 in Knoxville, Tennessee. That much is known, but little else. Most of Russ Hassan's pre-Food Riot records are missing. He did graduate from Ohio State University with a degree in Business Law. He worked in his father's advertising firm until the Riots occurred. He received an injury to his head when a billboard fell on him during a riot in Gary, Indiana. He was found days later, wandering the streets, making obscure noises and carrying a tattered book of comic strips. After leaving the hospital in 2020, Russ somehow made it to New Omaha with nothing more than the backpack and clothes he had on.
    It was at this point that Russ legally changed his name to Bill T. Cat, and started working at a the local Prairie Trails bus depot. Starting out as a general laborer (i.e. janitor), Bill took gunnery and truck driving training. In 2024 he became a gunner for the company, and eventually a driver. In 2030 he became part owner of the New Omaha Yummy Yeast Algae Cafe
    When dueling became popular in New Omaha in 2034, Bill decided to board the bandwagon. Due to his incredible gunner skill, Bill racked up the kills in short order. In 2036 he became a member of NOVA and earned distinction as the highest-scoring ARF-and BLUD-hunter in the group. His opinion on these groups is "ARF is the sound when you kick a dog and BLUD is thicker and tastier than water.  Aack. ".
    In 2038 Bill retired from professional dueling and bought out his partner's half of the business. He became involved in local politics and in 2040 was elected to the city council of New Omaha. As a councilor he successfully passed a sales tax reduction and carried through the construction ora new hi-tech sewage treatment plant. The 2042 mayoral election saw him a close contender. When Faulkner left office, the council selected and the public approved Bill as the new mayor.
    Bill the Cat recently was implicated with improper dealings with GGI and other groups, but these were proved groundless. Bill may strike you as a man whose elevator doesn't go to the top floor (he frequently says "Oop, Ack, Blech, Barf, Gag, Ich, etc.) but in public speaking he rivals Winston Churchill. Bill sometimes participates in fundraising events, such as truck racing. He also operates the weapons of his limousine, so attacks on his person often end in the attacker being wrecked. Bill combat-related skills are Gunner +6, Driver +5, Trucker, Cyclist, Running +2, Handgunner +3, and Medic. His three dueling cars, the Mach 5, 6, and 7 are in limited, special order only production by Amex. His car colors are orange with irregular black stripes.
 
 

And the rockets red glare... The fireworks continue all over the country, thanks to the Jackal. We hope it will end soon.
    Next issue will feature the GenCon Racing Worlds report, more updated vehicles and our regular features. Feel free to write us on anything you have mind to. We'd like to hear from you.
 

Norman McMullen	Chris French
NOVA President	NOVA Vice President

NOVA Works:
    Aerodynamic Fairings by Michael Garrity
    Revised Hitches by Norman McMullen
    Racing Radial Tires by Chris French

10 O'clock News by everyone

Convention reports by Norman McMullen, Tim Jacques, Chris French and Don Jacques

Return Fire by Scott Haring, Ben Scott and Stephane Galley

Nuts & Bolts by Chris French.

2044 Regional Report by Norman McMullen & Chris French.

2044 Vehicle Guide Update:
    2044 Galleria Taxi and 2044 Hercules by Norman McMullen
    2044 Magnum Motors Economy, 2044 Amex Nightstick and 2044 Samson Bastille by Don Jacques

Duelslang, Combat Rock and Quotes by Norman McMullen

Showroom:
    Dominator by Chris French
    Warpig by Michael Garrity
    The Somme by Tim Jacques
    Amex Brick Box by Don Jacques

Local Hero by Don Jacques

Typesetting by Don Jacques

Editors: Don Jacques, Chris French, and Norman McMullen
 

Nightmessenger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association, 2524 Madison Street, Bellevue. NE. 68005. All material is copyright June 1994 by New Omaha Vehicular Association. All rights reserved.
    Car Wars, Dueltrack, Boat Wars, Car Warriors, Crash City, Truck Stop, Convoy, Uncle Albert's Catalog From Hell, Autoduel and AADA are registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or are used under license. The above trademarks, and the characters and situations of the Car Wars background are the exclusive property of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, and are used by Nightmessenger under permission.
    Reproduction of any material published in the Nightmessenger without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Any reproduction of Car Wars stories published in Nightmessenger, or any other unauthorized publication of fiction using the Car Wars background, without the express written permission of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated is strictly prohibited.
    Subscription rates: Regularly attending club members, $4 year for four issues. [U.S. subscribers, $8/year for four issues. International subscribers, $12/year for four issues].

Back to Nightmessenger Page

Back to Front Page