Cary, NC, 10 August 2004 - Recently at the World Boardgaming Championships held in Maryland (August 3rd through August 8th) Mark H. Walker's Lock 'N Load: Forgotten Heroes: Vietnam and Shrapnel Games were honored by the International Gamers Awards, winning the IGA Award in the Historical Simulation category. While one such award would make anyone happy the day wasn't over with, and much to our surprise Lock 'N Load: Forgotten Heroes: Vietnam also won a Charles S. Roberts award for Best Modern Era Boardgame!

For those unfamiliar with the Charles S. Roberts awards (or Charlies, as they are often referred to), the Charlies recognize the best historical wargames released in the previous year. Charles S. Roberts was the founder of Avalon Hill, and essentially the father of the wargaming hobby. He gave birth to several classic titles and more importantly, gave us the ubiquitous combat results table (CRT), amongst other monumental design aspects that we now take for granted. The first Charlies were presented in 1975 at Origins I. The number of categories were slim compared with today, but over time they grew in number. For those curious Avalon Hill's Third Reich, a grand strategy game that all wargamers have cut their teeth upon (or should have), won for the Best Professional Game.

Tim Brooks, founder and president of Shrapnel Games, was delighted to hear the news. "Lock 'N Load is an excellent system, and I'm really glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves. Mark must be really proud! Two awards in one day! Thank you to everyone who plays Lock 'N Load, and especially those who spread the good word about the system!"

Released in 2003 Mark H. Walker's Lock 'N Load: Forgotten Heroes: Vietnam was Shrapnel Games first foray into the world of boardgaming. Set during the Vietnam War, Lock 'N Load is an easy to master system of tactical squad combat. Expanding on the core set, ANZAC Attack was the first expansion to Lock 'N Load and was released this past June. The expansion adds Australian and New Zealand troops to the game, along with new counters, scenarios, and battlegrounds. Both games have been constant best sellers at the Shrapnel Games online store, the Gamers Front, since their release.

Buy Lock N' Load in the StrategyPage.com Game Store