Gamers Alliance REPORT 

Fall 2002 Vol. 2 No. 4

EDITORIAL

American Idol

   For those of you who live outside the United States (or under a rock, as the case may be), summer television here in the States was rocked by a cultural phenomenon called American Idol. Based upon a successful British show, American Idol targeted the American music market audience. The premise: conduct a nationwide search for the next big singing talent who would be crowned the "American Idol" and get a one million dollar recording contract! It really was something to see.

   Open auditions were announced and thousands of young performers appeared to audition. Three judges (record producer Randy Jackson, singer Paula Abdul and record company executive Simon Cowell) were chosen to determine which of the thousands of hopefuls would make the cuts. Viewers were taken step by step along the way in the search. Some of the hopefuls were excellent and were told "You're going to Hollywood". Some of the hopefuls were so abysmal that they became cannon fodder for Simon who skewered them with vitriolic comments (e.g. "Do you have a singing teacher? Do you have a lawyer? Sue your singing teacher!) The show really become "Must See TV".

   To make a long story short, the thousands were whittled down to 30 and the 30 down to 10. At that point, viewers were able to vote for their favorite performers until finally, the thousands of contestants boiled down to one winner: Kelly Clarkson. Ms. Clarkson currently is enjoying a hit record on the air as a direct result of the win, the 10 finalists (including Ms. Clarkson) are on a national concert tour and American Idol is gearing up for a second season and another series of competitions. 

   While American Idol was heavy into glitter and glamour, at its core, it was about business: finding and marketing a viable, commercial, musical talent. If you think about it, every issue of GA REPORT is a gaming version of American Idol.

   Every time we prepare a GA REPORT issue, we find ourselves faced with, if not thousands, certainly many, games that seek to find their way into the spotlight. Game creators and companies strive to separate themselves from the pack of lesser offerings. They want to hit the right notes and capture the favor of the crowd. And we're rooting for them.

   Great games are our passion. We enjoy playing them and writing about them. If GA REPORT can give a boost to a game that's well deserving, that's just a bonus for everyone concerned: the game creator, the game company and, most importantly, we gamers who actively seek and support the very best in gaming. In each issue, you'll find our "idols": the winners who have made the cuts - and this issue is no different.

   In this issue of GA REPORT, people go to war - and so do sheep!! We go exploring and discover a new version of a Sid Sackson classic that we can't stop playing. Greg Schloesser finds himself involved in the Thirty Years War and, if that's not enough, becomes embroiled in epic duels! Plus, K-ban's Korner and Game Classics return! And, of course, much more.

   Until next time, Good Gaming!- - - - - -- - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Herb Levy, President