SPIRIT OF ’76

In the United States, when we speak of the “Spirit of ’76”, we generally refer to the birth of our nation which dates back to 1776. We picture American colonists marching to the drumbeat of freedom as our new country marks its liberty. And, when we celebrate the occasion in the middle of summer on July 4th, we take pride in the accomplishments of our nation. Now I know it’s not summer and it’s not a time to celebrate the birth of a nation, but we can still celebrate a little, as this Fall issue of Gamers Alliance Report represent a different spirit: the spirit of our 76th issue!

Now, to be precise, this is the 76th issue of Volume 2 of Gamers Alliance Report. We started back in the fall of 1986 and Volume 1 consisted of hard copy issues that were printed and mailed out to our worldwide membership. There were 61 of those! So, if you want to be technical, there have been 137 issues of Gamers Alliance Report! No matter how you slice it, that is a LOT of gaming as we launch our 35th consecutive year (!) of publication. Who would have believed that we could have continued for so long? Not even Covid-19 could stop us from putting out GA Report without interruption.  But of course, we wouldn’t be here without the valued contributions and support from our worldwide members over the years. 

Over the last 3 and half decades, we have benefited by the finest minds on and about games including noted game designers, talented graphic artists and a host of luminaries in the international gaming community. (I’m tempted to list them all but there’s just too many and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out! But you – and our appreciative readers – know who you are!) These are the people that put the “Spirit” into Gamers Alliance and make Gamers Alliance Report the spirited publication it remains today!

In this issue of Gamers Alliance Report, the “Spirit” moves us once again as we invest in airlines, crisscross the desert and rediscover Scotland! Greg J. Schloesser shuffles along, Joe Huber makes good and Kevin Whitmore puts the Grand Funk into a Grand Trunk! James Davis dives underwater, Chris Wray is a bit wary while Eric Brosius tries to raise his spirits in quarantine. Chris Kovac finds 1972 a good year and, for Pevans, Ming is the thing! And of course, a whole lot more. 

Until next time, Be Well, Stay Safe and Good Gaming!

Herb Levy, President

Have feedback? We’d love to hear from you.

Other Fall 2020 GA Report articles

1972: THE LOST PHANTOM

Reviewed by Chris Kovac 1972: THE LOST PHANTOM (1 player, 30-90 minutes; www.juegosrollandwrite.com; Free) In these days of Covid lockdowns and social distancing, solitaire games have become more popular. Once ...
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AQUALIN

Reviewed by Herb Levy AQUALIN (Kosmos, 2 players, ages 8 and up, 20 minutes; $19.95) The sea is a wonderful place filled with all sorts of creatures. In Aqualin, a ...
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EDITORIAL – VOL. 2 NO. 76 – FALL 2020

SPIRIT OF '76 In the United States, when we speak of the "Spirit of '76", we generally refer to the birth of our nation which dates back to 1776. We ...
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GAMING WHILE QUARANTINED

GAMING WHILE QUARANTINED by Eric Brosius Normally my gaming attention focuses on new games I’ve played, new games I want to try, and favorites I want to play more often.  ...
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GLEN MORE II: CHRONICLES

Reviewed by Herb Levy GLEN MORE II: CHRONICLES (Funtails, 2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, 90-120 minutes; $79.99) Sometimes, if you are lucky, a long out of print ...
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GLEN MORE: FLASHBACK

[A decade ago, we travelled to Scotland (figuratively) and basked in the glory that was Glen More. With this issue, featuring Glen More II based on the original, here is ...
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GOODS MAKER

Reviewed by Joe Huber GOODS MAKER (Studio GG, 2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, 20-40 minutes; 2420¥ [about $23)] While there are a number of very interesting games ...
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IWARI

Reviewed by Chris Wray IWARI (Thundergryph Games, 2 to 5 players, ages 14 and up, 45 minutes; $59.99)   Few games deserve the title “modern classic” as much as Michael ...
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PAN AM

Reviewed by Herb Levy PAN AM (Funko Games, 2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, 60 minutes; $34.99) Ever since the Wright Brothers took to the skies in 1903, ...
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SILENT VICTORY: U.S. SUBMARINES IN THE PACIFIC 1941-1945

Reviewed by James Davis SILENT VICTORY: U.S. SUBMARINES IN THE PACIFIC 1941-1945 (Consim Press/GMT Games, 1-2 players, ages 12 and up, 120-180 minutes; $55) Of all the branches of men ...
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TARGI: FLASHBACK

  [Back in 2018, we reviewed an excellent 2 player game that had eluded American shores for years: Targi. With the release of an expansion for the base game (featured ...
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TARGI: THE EXPANSION

Reviewed by Herb Levy TARGI: THE EXPANSION (Kosmos, 2 players, ages 12 and up, 60 minutes; $19.95) Several years ago, a brilliant 2 player Euro game called Targi finally appeared ...
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THE GRAND TRUNK JOURNEY

Reviewed by Kevin Whitmore THE GRAND TRUNK JOURNEY (Spielworxx, 2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, 60-120 minutes; $80)  The Grand Trunk Journey is the first published game by ...
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THE MING VOYAGES

Reviewed by Pevans THE MING VOYAGES (Surprised Stare Games, 1-2  players, ages 12 and up, 30-45 minutes; $22) Back in the early 1400s, during the Ming Empire, China’s great fleet ...
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TRUFFLE SHUFFLE

Reviewed by Greg J. Schloesser TRUFFLE SHUFFLE (AEG, 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up, 30 minutes; $19.99) NOTE:  Thanks to the social distancing caused by COVID-19, this review ...
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