Dear Sir,

I don’t know if you ever imagined that someone would be writing to you nearly half a century after the publication of Streets of Stalingrad, but I wanted to let you know what your game has meant to me.

I first owned Streets of Stalingrad when I was seventeen years old. At that age, I was just discovering the world of historical wargaming, and your design opened a door for me. Through cardboard counters, maps, and rules, I found myself immersed in one of history’s most dramatic battles. The game challenged my mind, fueled my imagination, and deepened my interest in military history.

In fact, when I entered college, my fascination with the Battle of Stalingrad had become so strong that I used your game as source material and inspiration for a paper. That may seem unusual today, but the research, historical background, and operational detail built into the design encouraged me to learn far more than I otherwise would have. Your game helped transform history from something I simply read about into something I actively studied and sought to understand.

Recently, at sixty-three years old, I was fortunate enough to acquire another copy. When I opened the box, I was surprised by the emotions it stirred. It wasn’t simply nostalgia. It was a reminder of who I was as a young man and of a hobby that has accompanied me throughout my life.

Over the decades I have played countless wargames, from tactical engagements to grand strategic campaigns. Yet there are only a handful of games that remain vivid in memory, and Streets of Stalingrad is one of them. It represents a time when every new game was an adventure and every turn offered a lesson in history and decision-making.

As we grow older, we often discover that certain objects become touchstones connecting different chapters of our lives. For me, your game is one of those touchstones. Holding it again after all these years brought back memories of youthful enthusiasm, long evenings studying maps, researching the battle, and discovering a hobby that would become a lifelong passion.

I wanted to thank you for creating something that has endured in memory for nearly fifty years. Designers rarely get to hear how their work affects people across a lifetime. In my case, Streets of Stalingrad was more than a game. It sparked a deeper interest in history, contributed to my studies in college, and became part of a journey that began when I was seventeen and continues today.

Your work left a lasting mark on at least one young gamer, and for that I remain grateful.

With gratitude and respect,

Rob Verry

A lifelong wargamer