HTML conversion by Michael P. Owen, April 2000

It's mine now.

Stephen Beeman is off at college, and I've taken over the Driver's Seat for the time being. And I intend to be here for a long time.

For those of you who wonder (or even fear) just what I intend to do with the magazine, just read on. This issue's cover story is Don't Kill the Messenger, a piece of autoduel fiction by Christopher Burke. There are three mini-scenarios by David Searle, two new arenas, and in the center spread we've printed hover and boat record sheets since we didn't have enough room in Boat Wars for them. In other news, AADA management (after charges of corruption) is undergoing complete reorganization -- see p. 40.

Some of you may be worried about this magazine getting excessively silly now that I'm running it. Don't worry -- I promise not to run too many pieces like "Dodges and Dragons" unless I'm really hard up for filler. But that means you have to submit some high-quality articles. ADQ depends on reader submissions; if you don't send it in, it'll probably never see print, and I'll be forced to resort to my own warped imagination. So submit now! And when you do . . .
 

Be Nice To Me

While shuffling through the submission files, I came across a few common irritations, and I want to correct that now. In no particular order:

1. Put your Name, Address, Social Security number (if this is an article submission) and Date on every page. If you aren't willing to do that, you run the risk of part of the manuscript being lost.

2. For those of you using dot-matrix printers, I have several requests. Don't get overly cute with GEOS or other low-resolution typesetting programs. I prefer NLQ or, failing that, straight draft. If you must use a graphics-based typesetter, make sure the font is easily readable -- don’t use the tiniest print available. And please, please use a fresh ribbon. Your submission is no good at all if I can't read it.

3. I won't reply to anything that doesn't have a self-addressed, stamped envelope unless the letter, article or whatever is truly stunning. If you don't need a reply (and a lot of things don't -- gadget and vehicle submissions, for instance. We get so many of these that responding to each one would take up all our time), don't put in an SASE.

4. Do submit often. I can't print it if I don't have it. And I'm going to need a lot of new articles soon . . . As to subject matter, we're running low on short filler articles and our regular features (Road Atlas and Survival Guide entries in particular, mini and full-size scenarios are also in desperately short supply), so these would be preferred. And remember, our rates have doubled -- we now pay 2 to 6¢ per word and 3 complimentary copies.

Speaking of submissions, I haven't yet paid one person for his, because I couldn't find his address. Joe Mauloni -- drop me a line, pronto.

5. Be nice to the mail room, too. When you have to change your mailing address for whatever reason, send us your old mailing label, or, failing that, your old address along with your new address. Be sure to label them so we can tell them apart, too.
 

Never Say Oops Again

This is probably the last time I'll be able to say "It's not my fault," and I hope it's the last time I'll have to come up with an Oops title. Here are the latest booboos for those of you keeping score:

In ADQ 6/3, Uncle Albert's ad displayed the Derringer, with a small omission. It carries two shots. Uncle Albert apologizes for any difficulties this may have caused, and regrets the error.

This next one was so obvious it got completely overlooked. When you combine streamlining (Uncle Albert's 2038 Catalog Update) with sloped armor (same), the combination reduces interior space by 15% (round up) not 20% or 10%. With the smaller vehicles, this probably won't make much of a difference, but it's nice to be certain.

Former editor Stephen Beeman cryptically mentioned the AADA Newsletter, saying "don't despair; there are other ways to get it," without bothering to tell anybody how. It's not that hard, actually. AADA chapters get a copy automatically. Any AADA at-large member may request a copy of the latest AADA Newsletter (sorry, no back issues) by sending us a letter about it and an SASE. Include your subscription number with your request. We only run off a limited number of extra copies, so it's first come, first serve.

There's a mention of the benefits of waterproofing underbody weapons in Boat Wars (p. 7), but nothing at all about the hazards of not waterproofing weapons. To set the record straight, non-waterproof weapons are ruined by immersion. Got it? If you still wonder about the benefits, consider that a boat with hydrofoils can raise its underside out of the water, and can mount as many turrets underneath as it can on top. So your hydrofoiled yacht can carry four turreted blast cannons.

Also, for some reason, we have the Northeast Regional Championship award sitting in our office. According to what records I have, it belongs to Christian J. Alipounarian. Christian, get in touch with me about this.

And this last one isn't really an Oops, but I have no idea where else to put it. Subcompacts have a + 1 HC, up to 4 without driver bonuses. This is official. The feedback on this idea was overwhelmingly positive.
 

ADQ Gets Bigger!

Bigger?

Yep. ADQ is always growing, but next issue it's going to grow dramatically! All the way up to full size (8 1/2" x 11"), with a new look and more room for everything you want -- fiction, scenarios, vehicles, articles, variants, GURPS Autoduel, and everything else you've come to expect from ADQ.
 

Down the Road

Boat Wars is out, complete with a 48-page rulebook, 2 big, wide, rolling blue maps and 2 beautiful counter sheets, all in one tiny Pocket Box. All you people clamoring for hovercraft rules, and all you who wanted official boat rules, rush out and buy it now. Go on -- put down the magazine for a moment, and buy one. I'll wait . . .

City Blocks will have been out for a month or so by the time you read this. The fully geomorphic 8" x 8" map sections can be set up in nearly infinite combinations, thus allowing your duels to go careening illegally through the heart of the city, endangering passersby and all that sort of fun.

City Blocks 2 should be on the shelves a few weeks after you read this. The second collection features the ruins, burned-out buildings and abandoned areas so prevalent in the 2030s, with a fantastic cover by Guy Burchak.

In the works even as I write this is the The L'Outrance Duel Circuit, a Car Wars campaign book with details and schedules for the midwestern duel circuit, plus other campaigning goodies. Look for this one soon after this ADQ hits the stands.

If there's anything you'd like to see, let us know. We are planning a lot of new Car Wars products soon, and are open to new ideas.
 

Where It's At

If you need a quick answer from me on just about any subject, or you want to submit something and don't trust the Post Orifice (one can hardly blame you), and you have a computer & modem, call the Illuminati BBS (512-4414449, 8-none-l, 24 hours, at 3/12/2400 baud) and post it on the Car Wars discussion board. A lot of bizarre things go on on the BBS, and there's no charge (besides long dis-tance). Also, it's the quickest way to get my attention that won't bother me while I'm working. I usually log on every other morning.

The evolution of Car Wars (and our other games) can be heavily influenced by the roving discussions on the board. Whenever I need input on gadgets, scenarios and other topics, I usually go to the BBS first. And the other users often post good ideas on the board. Two-time World Champion Mike Montgomery, for instance, suggested that vehicles' maximum ram damage be equal to the amount of damage it takes to make confetti out of them (which, if you'll get out your older Reference Screens and read along, is cumulative damage equal to l/50 of its weight
(1 pt. per 50 lbs), which reduced the vehicle to a huge pile of debris counters), modified normally by ramplates and CA frames. Sounds
good to me, and if I get more positive feedback on this, it may become official.

Don't worry -- be trigger-happy. -- CAO