[The Nicky Palmer Interview] Aonistika Review

[GrimFinger]

http://web.archive.org/web/2001052404111...lm_ing.htm

NOTE: The Agonistika Association was established in 1991, with a mandate to promote simulations, role-playing and family games in Italy.

[RktSci]

For those that don't know, Nicky was a member of the English Parliament from 1993 to 2010. He still seems to be active in Diplomacy circles.

[BobMcLain]

He's active on BoardGameGeek, too.

When he ran for office, he dropped the "y", becoming just "Nick". I suppose, if he decides to pursue a third career in porn, he could drop the "k" as well, becoming "Nic Palmer", which sounds more than a bit lascivious.

-- Bo, formerly Bob, McLain

[GrimFinger]

When I received a e-mail response from Mr. Palmer to an e-mail that I had sent to him earlier that same day, back on June 16th of this year, here is how he signed his e-mail:

Nick(y) [gamers still usually add the y!]

[BobMcLain]

Yes, he's trick(y) that way.

[GrimFinger]

That's funny, Bob.

[ixnay]

Just read through this short interview (linked in the OP), and found this quote, relevant today: "In 1983 I decided to create "Flagship", which remains the leading in- ternational magazine on this hobby. The release of "Flagship" had an immediate and unexpected effect: it lead to a marked increase in the number of players. The number of GM's rose drastically to 250, and the players to 10,000-20,000."

Maybe S&D will ultimately increase the number of games and players out there.

I remember when Flagship first came out. I still have the first dozen issues or so. Nicky Palmer was a teammate on my first full game of Empyrean Challenge. He was quite the leader back then, launching a team newsletter at the same time I tried launching mine. He was (and presumably still is) charming, witty, and very much infected with the thrill of PBM possibilities.