Hexes of History: The Rise and Fall of SPI — The Untold Story of the Company That Changed Wargaming Forever
by Joe Murphy
The history of modern tabletop wargaming cannot be told without Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI). For just over a decade, SPI transformed a niche hobby into a thriving industry, publishing hundreds of groundbreaking games, redefining historical simulation, and inspiring generations of designers whose influence still shapes tabletop gaming today. Hexes of History: The Rise and Fall of SPI tells the remarkable story of the company that changed wargaming forever—and then vanished almost overnight. Beginning with the origins of military simulation in nineteenth-century Prussia and the birth of commercial board wargaming through Avalon Hill, this comprehensive history follows the rise of visionary designer James F. Dunnigan, graphic design pioneer Redmond Simonsen, and the talented team that built one of the most innovative publishing companies of the twentieth century. Through meticulous research, contemporary sources, magazines, catalogs, interviews, and historical analysis, this book explores how SPI revolutionized the hobby with bold ideas that are now taken for granted: • The legendary Strategy & Tactics magazine with a complete game in every issue • The groundbreaking Quadrigame format • Beautiful map and counter design • Massive "monster games" with thousands of counters • Historical simulations spanning ancient warfare to hypothetical World War III • Early science fiction and fantasy games • The ambitious roleplaying game DragonQuest • Military consulting that blurred the line between hobby gaming and professional simulation Along the way, you'll meet the designers, artists, editors, historians, and entrepreneurs who made SPI a creative powerhouse. Discover the stories behind classic games, the company's unique design philosophy, the rivalry with Avalon Hill, and the loyal community that eagerly awaited every new issue of Strategy & Tactics. But Hexes of History is more than a celebration of classic games. It is also the story of how rapid innovation became a company's greatest strength—and ultimately its greatest weakness. As SPI expanded at a breathtaking pace, financial pressures quietly mounted beneath the surface. The subscription model that fueled explosive growth also created dangerous cash-flow challenges. Ambitious publishing schedules and ever-larger projects pushed the company to its limits. The dramatic climax comes in 1982, when TSR—the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons—acquired SPI in one of gaming's most controversial business deals. Employees were stunned. Subscribers were outraged. Designers scattered across the industry. One of gaming's greatest innovators disappeared almost overnight. Yet SPI never truly died. Its ideas survived through Victory Games, GMT Games, Multi-Man Publishing, Compass Games, and countless independent designers. Modern board games and historical simulations continue to reflect innovations pioneered inside SPI's Manhattan offices. Whether you're a longtime collector, veteran wargamer, tabletop historian, or simply fascinated by innovation and business, this book offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at one of gaming's most influential companies. Inside you'll discover: • The complete history of SPI from 1969 to 1982 • Profiles of the designers who changed tabletop gaming • The evolution of Strategy & Tactics • The development of SPI's greatest games • The business decisions that fueled explosive growth—and eventual collapse • Rare stories from behind the scenes Beautifully researched and richly illustrated, Hexes of History: The Rise and Fall of SPI is a history and a love letter to an era when cardboard counters reshaped an entire hobby.
