From: Mark Gusack <gusackm@dreamscape.com>
Subject: Re: Fire Fight

Dear Mr. Poulter:

Below are recent email communications between Dave Kohr and I.  He
thought you might be interested.

Mark Gusack

Hi Mark,

Thanks for filling me in a bit more about this game. You might
want to forward your message (I put a copy below) to Web
Grognard (admin@grognard.com) so Alan Poulter can append it
to the folder on Fire Fight--that way others can benefit
from it too.

Dave

----

From: Mark Gusack <gusackm@dreamscape.com>
To: davekohr@best.com
Subject: Re: Fire Fight

Dear Mr. Kohr:

My name is Mark Gusack. I was looking for references to my old friend
Jon Southard when I noticed your posted discussion from 2000. Jon
designed the Fire Fight game to meet specifications of the United States
Army around 1985. That is why it has such a narrow focus. I was in the
service at the time and was also a technical consultant for that game.
The Army's goal was to explore the impact and teach elements of the
various doctrinal changes that were being envisioned for the U.S. Army
during the big build up of the early - to - mid 1980's.

As one of your respondents noted it clearly displays the difference
between the large unit emphasis of the Soviets and the small unit
emphasis of the NATO and U.S. forces.  Historically, the Soviet's did
best in focusing overwhelming force at the point of interest then
exploiting their breakthrough using knowledge of the operational
maneuver learned during the latter half of WWII.  We on the other hand
tend to concentrate on command and control at the small unit level
coupled to overwhelming artillery and air power but don't attempt much
in the way of operational maneuver.  This was amply displayed in the
most recent Iraq war.

Jon is an excellent simulations designer with only one minor exception.
As another of your respondents noted, he tends to create very accurate
but overly complex combat rules that can make the game difficult to
enjoy due to the time it takes to figure out and actually carry out the
combat. Otherwise, its an excellent game as are all of his works. You
might want to obtain a copy of Grant Moves South.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to email me.

I have the honor to be, respectfully yours,

Mark Gusack
President MBG Industries, Inc.