Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI)

[vladsee]

Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) was an influential American publisher of board wargames and related magazines, particularly its flagship Strategy & Tactics, in the 1970s and early 1980s. It produced an enormous number of games and introduced innovative practices, changing the course of the wargaming hobby in its bid to take control of the hobby away from then-dominant Avalon Hill. It went bankrupt in 1982. TSR acquired the company's trademarks and copyrights in 1983.

More Info and source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPI_Games

[vladsee]

Despite the closing of such a venerable game publisher, many SPI games are still considered to be very good despite the 20-30 years of the games' age.  Many of the out of print original SPI titles are now sought after by collectors and/or gamers.  Strategy and Tactics magazine is still in print by Decision Games, which also owns most the SPI titles.  A number of SPI games are reprinted via this magazine.         

Best chance of seeing and playing these hard-to-find games is at the Philboardgamers Wargame Meet.      

[Mark Humphries]

Despite the closing of such a venerable game publisher, many SPI games are still considered to be very good despite the 20-30 years of the games' age.

More like 30-40 years now. Those were great times, there were shelves and shelves of hobby boardgames in game stores, toy stores, book stores, and department stores. 

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Despite the closing of such a venerable game publisher, many SPI games are still considered to be very good despite the 20-30 years of the games' age.

More like 30-40 years now. Those were great times, there were shelves and shelves of hobby boardgames in game stores, toy stores, book stores, and department stores. 

Here in the country?..

[Mark Humphries]

Here in the country?..

I wasn't here in the 70s, but my understanding from friends who were playing here back then is that a small selection of AH and SPI titles were available locally, but most titles were brought over by family members returning from US or European trips.

The worldwide hobby boardgaming boom started to lose steam in the late seventies as other gaming hobbies grew, initially RPG's and pc games, and eventually gaming consoles and CCGs. The rise of 'European' gaming in the US was initially due to Alan Moon's (ex-Avalon Hill) early efforts to spread the word through his 'Gathering of Friends' invitationals, but didn't break through to the mainstream until Settlers of Catan.

[vladsee]

Despite the closing of such a venerable game publisher, many SPI games are still considered to be very good despite the 20-30 years of the games' age.

More like 30-40 years now. Those were great times, there were shelves and shelves of hobby boardgames in game stores, toy stores, book stores, and department stores. 

Here in the country?..

Can't say for the 70s since I was too young back then. In the 80s though you can find D&D or some other TSR products specifically Marvel Superheroes, Star Frontiers, Spelljammer or Gamma World in every other semi-decent game store.  I didn't notice any wargames that were in stores or I wasn't paying attention to it in those days.     

[Mark Humphries]

Can't say for the 70s since I was too young back then. In the 80s though you can find D&D or some other TSR products specifically Marvel Superheroes, Star Frontiers, Star Jammers or Gamma World in every other semi-decent game store.  I didn't notice any wargames that were in stores or I wasn't paying attention to it in those days.     

When I moved to the Philippines 15+ years ago there were still a dozen or so SPI/TSR and AH wargames available at one toy store chain.