From: Wade Hinkle <whinkle@IDA.ORG>
Subject:      Big Bear S&T Videos

                      Subject:                              Time:  2:58 PM
  OFFICE MEMO         Big Bear S&T Videos                   Date:  7/31/97

I just got the three-tape set of videos on the history of Strategy & Tactics
magazine from Big Bear Productions. The set covers all the issues produced by
SPI that contained a game (i.e., beginning with issue 18) . A promo flier from
Big Bear suggests that 3 more tapes in the future will cover TSR, WWW, and DG
S&T issues.

I'm two-thirds through the first tape, and it is a hoot. Definitely a trip
down memory lane. The tape follows a standard format for each S&T issue,
describing the game(s) in the issue, showing footage of game components,
discussing how well the game was received, going over whether the game was
ever published in non-magazine format (with video of those components), and if
it was later revised. Seems very complete so far.

Pluses about the tapes: interesting info on S&T's early days (including
footage of the staff); lap dissolves showing similarities and differences
between components (maps, counters) in games published in early S&Ts that were
 later updated; coverage of early Dunnigan SPI designs that later became AH
games (such as PanzerBlitz). Nice production values, good color and lighting.

Things I wish were better:  background music swells and fades at random,
narration often sounds like someone from the Method school of acting who has
been told to do "deadpan".

Conclusion:  the average Grognard should ask for this for Christmas ($64 per
set, though you can also buy them separately).

Alan P, feel free to put this on the Web site as a review if you think folks
would be interested.

Wade Hinkle