My 40 Years of Playing Car Wars ...

[Alden Loveshade]

Originally Posted by Racer

First ever game of Car War , Sunday 10th October 1982 at my Boarding School .

Congratulations on your Car Warsanniversary! How did you keep track of the date?

I'm a role-playing old-timer (ironically, that article was published on your anniversary), but haven't played Car Wars as long as you.

I have three primary Car Wars memories that didn't happen during a game.

1) I was putting away equipment after a wedding, and my mind wandered. I thought of Harlan Ellison's story "Along the Scenic Route" that focused on auto combat. I thought, "Hey, that could be a game!" Then I learned Steve Jackson and co. had long before created Car Wars....

2) I saw Steve Jackson at a gaming convention and asked him if he had been influenced by Ellison's story. He said he hadn't, but had seen and/or read (I don't remember now) other things that involved auto combat.

3) I was trying to get a friend interested in roleplaying, specifically GURPS. He was borderline interested--until he learned that game was made by the same person who co-built Car Wars. Then he hopped on for the ride (and later GMed).

[Racer]

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

Congratulations on your Car Warsanniversary! How did you keep track of the date?

It was only my second weekend at Boarding School & also the day a notorious character was made a Junior Prefect & covered in food waste - as per tradition - after Lunch .

Mr Chimpy & Sword Boy were asking if anyone wanted to join in a game at Tea (5pm Meal) & myself & a few of us youngesters aged 10 to 12 did .

I have an almost eidetic memory - for things that interest me at least - and date stuck in my head .

Played on & off my 6+ years at that School & was the Duel Master with all the books etc for my last two of those years .
Had a load of stuff stolen , but 1989 was a book year for Car Wars & replaced all my post stuff , bar 1st Printing of AADA Guide Vol. 1 , ADQ 4/4 & Convoy . Lost some irreplaceable custom Road Sections & Vehicle Counters , but that was just a minor annoyance ...

[43Supporter]

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

2) I saw Steve Jackson at a gaming convention and asked him if he had been influenced by Ellison's story. He said he hadn't, but had seen and/or read (I don't remember now) other things that involved auto combat.

"Drive Offensively" comes straight out of Alan Dean Foster's "Why Johnny Can't Speed".