Matrix Games Forums

I'm working on a pretty extensive Wargammer Survey. It's almost done but I need help on a few last questions. I thought it might make for a useful and interesting thread for PC wargammers also.

So I'm looking for a list of Major PC Wargame Publishers and Minor PC Wargame Publishers (1-2 Titles Actually Published).

What I've got so far is:

Major Wargame Publishers:

Battlefront Games
HPS Simulations
Matrix Games
Paradox Interactive
Schwerpunkt Games
Shrapnel Games

Minor Wargame Publishers:

MadMinute Games (They do self-publish right?)


I know I am forgetting some worthy publishers out there? Can anyone help?


PS. Lets include former Major PC Wargame Publishers While we are at it..
Thinking of:

Avalon Hill
SSI
Talonsoft

Who else?

Microprose...

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Microprose...

Good one. What about Microsoft? They did put out the first Close Combats but I cant remember anything turn based.

I guess you kind of need at least one turn based game to be a considered a PC Wargame publisher indisputeably otherwise a whole host of RTS publishing companies would crop up on the list.

Does Microsoft count?

Paradox doesn't make wargames, they make "strategy" games. Hoi and Hoi 2 may be a foray into wargames, but, I wouldn't classify them as a "major wargame developer/publisher". Strategy is their cupotwat.

Storm Eagle studios is a new one to add.

I know Matrix doesn't like the Underdogs site to be mentioned here, but it does have a very comprehensive list of companies that published computer wargames, so it might be helpful to you. The list includes some historical background on each company, as well.

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

Paradox doesn't make wargames, they make "strategy" games. Hoi and Hoi 2 may be a foray into wargames, but, I wouldn't classify them as a "major wargame developer/publisher". Strategy is their cupotwat.

Since Paradox Interactive Now Publishes at least Two New Turn-Based Games I do included them. Diplomacy and Squad Leader are, to me, as much of a wargame as any. And these days, publishing any turn based game at all, is counter culture.

Diplomacy may well not be WITP but you will never convince me it is not a true wargame. It may well be a swing of the wargame pendulum to one extreme side, but a wargame it is none-the-less.

ORIGINAL: wodin

Storm Eagle studios is a new one to add.

Good One, but I can't include them on the survey because the related survey questions cover who youve bought games from and how you rate current wargame publishers.

I don't believe they actually have any games out yet..

For older companies, how about Three-Sixty (Harpoon, V for Victory), and Interactive Magic (From Sumpter to Appomattox)

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

I know Matrix doesn't like the Underdogs site to be mentioned here, but it does have a very comprehensive list of companies that published computer wargames, so it might be helpful to you. The list includes some historical background on each company, as well.

Ok that added to the list Strategic Studies Group (SSG) & Three-Sixty Pacific as Former Major Publishers with enough titles to count.

How about Current Major or Minor Wargame Publishers? Have I really already listed them all? If so its kind of depressing. I really thought there were more than that... Just never tried to actually list them and look at that list..

ORIGINAL: Challerain

For older companies, how about Three-Sixty (Harpoon, V for Victory), and Interactive Magic (From Sumpter to Appomattox)

From Sumpter to Appomattox

Yes Three-Sixty also did High Command. Great Choice. I'm not sure Interactive Magic counts as wasn't that their only game? or series of games if you can even call it that?

Didn't I-Magic also do a game on the Marines (Semper Fi maybe?) and some series called great battles with themes like Alexander and Caeser? Or I could be just imagining it.....

I'm positive that I-Magic did do the GBoH boardgames from GMT for the PC. Pretty good, but if I remember correctly the AI was a bit suspect.

Anyone got a link with more info on Interactive Magic titles?

ORIGINAL: Veldor

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

Paradox doesn't make wargames, they make "strategy" games. Hoi and Hoi 2 may be a foray into wargames, but, I wouldn't classify them as a "major wargame developer/publisher". Strategy is their cupotwat.

Since Paradox Interactive Now Publishes at least Two New Turn-Based Games I do included them. Diplomacy and Squad Leader are, to me, as much of a wargame as any. And these days, publishing any turn based game at all, is counter culture.

Diplomacy may well not be WITP but you will never convince me it is not a true wargame. It may well be a swing of the wargame pendulum to one extreme side, but a wargame it is none-the-less.

It doesn't depict any war though Veldor and a true wargame depicts some major war or battle of an historical war. Cmon everybody knows that. Anything else is just a strategic mix. Even Shrapnel I wouldn't consider a "major" wargame developers, they make strategy games as well.

Avalon Hill made wargames, but, computer Twixt wasn't one of them. You might include them (Paradox & Shrapnel) as a "minor wargame publisher" but, hardly a major. IF you're going to include those as majors, you might as well add "Creative Assemby" who have done the "Total WAR" series, since it doesn't seem to matter what constitutes a wargame to you.

The Total war engine was used by the BBC for its recent programmes on ancient battles - and very nice it looked from what I remember. But then again, generally I don't remember much that is of use to anyone.

It doesn't depict any war though Veldor and a true wargame depicts some major war or battle of an historical war. Cmon everybody knows that. Anything else is just a strategic mix. Even Shrapnel I wouldn't consider a "major" wargame developers, they make strategy games as well.

Everybody knows that? Under that definition almost every single Modern-Era wargame ever in existence is NOT a true wargame then. That includes games like Harpoon, VG's Fleet Series, Matrix's own Flashpoint title etc. I suppose to you there is no such thing as a fantasy or sci-fi wargame either?

Diplomacy models nations during a rough historical period and includes military units and has military related strategic concepts like support, convoys, and to an extent.. supply.

It is simply much more abstract than the type of game a Grognard plays...

Many authoratative sources list Diplomacy as a wargame including Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wargaming

Avalon Hill made wargames, but, computer Twixt wasn't one of them. You might include them (Paradox & Shrapnel) as a "minor wargame publisher" but, hardly a major. IF you're going to include those as majors, you might as well add "Creative Assemby" who have done the "Total WAR" series, since it doesn't seem to matter what constitutes a wargame to you.

More importantly it doesn't matter what I would constitute as a wargame, only the potential survey base. And since at least some wargamers would regard games Paradox publishes (such as Diplomacy) to be wargames, they will be included.

Veldor

Interactive Magic (IMagic), was founded by the original owner of Microprose, Bill Stealey and a few others. Don't think they have been around for about 6 or 7 years.

Produced games called Apache, Hind, American Civil War, Destiny, M1A1 Tank Platoon, Warbirds I & II, I think and a couple others

Think they tried butting heads with Hasbro, who at the time owned all rights to anything Microprose.

ORIGINAL: Veldor

Anyone got a link with more info on Interactive Magic titles?

I just went to the underdogs site and there is a place to search by company.

CURRENT MAJOR WARGAME PUBLISHERS (Approx 3+ Newer Games):
Battlefront Games
HPS Simulations
Matrix Games
Paradox Interactive
Schwerpunkt Games
Shrapnel Games

CURRENT MINOR (Approx 1-2 New Games):
Decision Games
Mad Minute Games

FORMER MAJOR (Approx 6+ Titles):
Avalon Hill
Microprose
SSI
Strategic Studies Group (SSG)
Talonsoft
Three-Sixty Pacific

Who Am I Still Missing?