Commentaries

Each product entry in the World of ASL compendium contains, in addition to other information, one or more paragraphs of description and commentary.  These commentaries are solely the opinion of the author; other people may have other opinions of these products.  Whenever possible, opinions were based on personal play and evaluation.  In cases where this was not possible, a good-faith effort was made to assess the general reputation a product has attained in the ASL community.

When the World of ASL compendium began, the commentaries were quite short and mostly descriptive.  As new products were added in the later 2000s, the commentaries began to evolve into more full-fledged (sometimes very long) write-ups or even genuine reviews.  Thus, items published before 2005 may have much briefer write-ups in the Compendium than items published after that date.

The author has certain preferences, or "prejudices," that may be reflected in these commentaries.  Other people may have different preferences.  The author's preferences include the following:

• Products should be clearly written, edited, and proofread.  This includes spell-checking.  Errata should be kept to a minimum.
• Groups of scenarios, whether in a scenario pack or module, should not be too weighted towards either large or small scenarios; a distribution of small, medium, and large scenarios is typically preferable.
• Products should be reasonably historically accurate, at least relative to the resources of the designer and the relative availability of material on the particular subject matter.
• Scenario groups should not have too high a proportion of Night scenarios, nor too high a proportion of scenarios with other, more complex rules (OBA, Air Support, Caves, etc.). 
• Scenario cards that do not contain counter artwork should nevertheless include enough information to allow players easily to locate the required counters among their countersets.  Third party counter artwork attempting to avoid copyright issues should nevertheless not be so complicated or re-engineered that it is difficult to understand. 
• Scenario card layout should be simple, clear, and easy-to-read.
• Third party products should not attempt to re-write or re-engineer the basic ASL rules system out of dislike for one or more of its subsystems (i.e., so-called "grudge" rules).
• Products that feature historical maps should have at least one scenario, if possible, that uses the entire map.  They should also include enough scenarios that use the included map (as opposed to geomorphic mapboards) to make it worth purchasing.
• Products should not attempt to extend the ASL system beyond the chronological boundaries of World War II era tactical combat for which it was designed (i.e., roughly the era 1925-1955).

Acknowledgements

The World of ASL compendium would not be possible without the gracious assistance and help of ASLers from around the globe.  Many ASLers have come forward to offer information, images, corrections, and suggestions.  I am extremely grateful for all of the help and assistance, which just proves how much of a community the world of ASL really is.

Thanks to everybody who has provided assistance in the initial creation of this compendium, including:

Derek Spurlock, Mike Pierzchala, Laurent Closier, Hugues Pauget, Fernando G. Maniega, Jean-Christophe Fresnais, Chas Argent, Chas Smith, Andy McMaster, Jeff Newell, Nadir Elfarra, Jose Luis Martin, Jesus D. Argaiz Martinez, "Buck," Bruce Probst, Bruce Bakken, Greg Wong, Jim McLeod, Vic Provost, Laurent Desnogues, Alan P. Bills, Conrad Houghton, Andy McMaster, Hennie van der Salm, Larry Rohlfing, Xavier Vitry, Jason Pipes, "Jerry," Chris Smith, Michael Louey, Jeff de Braal, and David Gray.

Update 2011:  Over the years, the World of ASL compendium has received help, of a variety of types, by countless additional ASLers, too numerous to list here, even had I had the foresight and consideration to have recorded their names, which I alas did not.  I can only thank the entire ASL community from the bottom of my heart for being so helpful and supportive in making the World of ASL compendium possible.