DADI.COM 2003
a show report from the organizer

DADI.COM 2003, the foremost wargame show in Italy, organized by the wargames magazine Dadi&Piombo, has taken place on November 22 and 23 at its usual venue, the University of Crema, a modern building with all facilities. This includes reserved free parking for dealers and clubs, an indoor loading area, licensed bar, etc.

Crema is a small historical city just 25 miles south east of Milan. Emperor Frederic I "Barbarossa" spent 7 months besieging it in 1159. Hundreds of gamers, coming from all over Italy and some also from France, Germany and Austria, spent just a week-end taking a richer booty, though this time mainly of lead.

All major Italian manifacturers were present at the show: Mirliton, Strategia e Tattica, Venexia Miniatures, Ital Model, Miniature Wars, Wargame.it, Aquilifer, Diorama Studio, Dadi&Piombo, Manor House, Camelot, as well as resellers like Raven Distribution, La Grande Armée and some specialized bookshops.

From Holland came MBM Models, with the full SHQ stock, as well as Kennington, GHQ and many other ramges. Some British traders failed to come at last minute but are expected for 2004 edition (November 20 and 21). Italy is not very close to Britain, but represents a fast and enthusiastic growing market and for overseas dealers there are very special stand fees.

As usual there was a good choice of games. Italeri presented the new WW2 game, Operation Overlord, a game set with rules, cards, 200 miniatures, tanks, dice etc. A complete kit designed for newcomers but with an intriguing skirmish game also for more expert wargamers. Many of these spent much time trying it at the show with Massimo Torriani, the author of the rules, acting as an excellent and patient demonstrator. More info on this "box wargame", that should be available in English very soon, can be found at Alzo Zero Wargames web site: www.alzozero.com. 

From Rome, Miles Gloriosus staged a very good looking scenario on samurai warfare. Superb painted 28mm from Dixon and very nice scratch built scenic elements, among them a wonderful castle, were very appreciated.

Quartieri d'Inverno, a club based in Recco (Genoa), famous for its 6mm huge scenarios, presented this year the battle of Marengo. Very impressive, with more than 5,500 figures! The board measured 4x2.50 meters.

Another excellent game was run by Legio Felix from Cassano D'Adda: Aachen 1944. A skirmish action representing urban fighting with great scenery; a whole ruined city with superb details formed the combat area for 28mm Germans and Americans. A lot of work for snipers.

Bin Laden was hunted for the 2 whole days by American Special Forces in a participation game staged by Panzergruppe Bologna and sponsored by Devil Dog Design. The terrorist took refuge in a scratch built luxurious residence of a sultan that was assaulted from land and from sky.

Raven Distribution presented the official Italian version for Battlefront rules and Stefano Palandri of Gruppo Ludico Aglianese presented a superb scenario of the countercharge at Carentan. 20mm figs from SHQ were involved in the fighting.

Other excellent games were staged at the show, among them Catalaunic Fields by AFBIS Florence, Tewkesbury by Wargames Club Garibaldi from Genoa, Campaldino by AMS Verona, Sacile 1809 by Primo Leggero Milano, Liebertwolkwitz 1813 by Wargames Club Lecco and an Italian colonial battle vs Abyssinians, presented by Strategia e Tattica. But one of the best satisfaction I had was in seeing the local club Black Watch (average age 15) involved in their Normandy scenario.

Apart from demonstration and participation games, there were 3 historical competitions this year. On Saturday a Napoleonic tournament with about 20 gamers on the Italian rules "Aquile per l'Impero" (Eagles for Empire) and on Sunday a Big Battle DBA Team competition and an open WAB competition. For the very first time there was also a painting competition, with a couple of participants also from Holland.

The bring and buy, the best on the Continent as far as I know, was run by Signifer Club Vicenza. I bought some 28mm painted medieval figures, very cheap, but many more interesting miniatures were present covering from ECW to WWI. Unfortunately I was pressed for time, and money so missed some very good deals, maybe next year.

DADI.COM featured not only historical wargames, but also fantasy, boardgames and other simulation games like pc games and flight simulator on military jets, for a total attendance of 5,000 people. Next year the show will be in its 5th year and many more gamers are attended. Entry will be free as usual.

Lorenzo Sartori
Dadi&Piombo 

Please remember to mention Wargames Forum when contacting traders!

Return to What's New?   Return to Show Reports  Return to Home Page