d-Infinity recognizes that it follows in the wake of a succession of modern wargaming magazines going back more than 40 years. This new section of d-Infinity Online is devoted to creating a directory of gaming publications that have existed over the years and to providing synopsis of them. Obviously, this will be an ongoing project, and your own input and additions to it are welcome! We are looking forward to adding more publications, publishing information about the ones we have listed, and personal comments on how these were useful or affected you as a gamer. 

d-Infinity recognizes that it follows in the wake of a succession of modern wargaming magazines going back more than 40 years. This new section of d-Infinity Online is devoted to creating a directory of gaming publications that have existed over the years and to providing synopsis of them. Obviously, this will be an ongoing project, and your own input and additions to it are welcome! We are looking forward to adding more publications, publishing information about the ones we have listed, and personal comments on how these were useful or affected you as a gamer. A number of the publication entries also include links to sample articles from them posted to d-Infinity Online. 

 

Battle Flag: The Magazine of Encounter. Read an article from the January 1973 issue of this publication about "Thoughts on How to Store Miniatures."

 

BattleTechnology: The Magazine of Combat in the 31st Century (1987-1995; 23 issues; c. 60 pages; 8.5 x 11): Published irregularly by Pacific Rim Publishing Company, this magazine was dedicated to BattleTech, a tabletop game of futuristic combat published at the time by FASA Corporation. The publication included game scenarios, optional rules, technical specifications for BattleMechs and other units, historical and current events in the fictional BattleTech universe, and short fiction. Its content was approved by FASA and considered by it to be official optional materials for the game. Twenty-one issues of BattleTechnology were published, as well as two special editions, "The Lost Issues" and "The Early Years." The first six issues, printed in 1987 and 1988, were numbered 0101, 0102, 0201, 0202, 0203 and 0204, while subsequent issues were numbered 7-21. The first 12 issues are collected into a set known as "BattleTechnology: The War Years," while issues 13-21 were known as "BattleTechnology: The Time of The Clans." 

   

 

Call to Colors Magazine (c. 1970; at least 11 quarterly volumes; c. 72 pages; $3.00; full color; saddle-stitched cardstock cover)

 

Casus Belli. 

 

Claw/Claw/Bite

 

Command Magazine (1989-2001; 54 issues; c. 60 pages plus cover; 8.5 x 11): Command Magazine was a bi-monthly magazine devoted to military history, strategy, and analysis published by XTR (San Luis Obispo, California). Its emphasis was on why commanders made certain decisions, combined with an account of a campaign or battle, and made heavy use of color maps and orders-of-battle. It was available by subscription and at many large bookstores.

Command's first three years saw 18 issues containing 21 games or major variants on them. While the first few issues were heavily weighted toward World War II its breadth was ultimately remarkably diverse, although the 20th century accounted for most of the titles. Two were naval games and the rest were oriented toward land warfare; five were set in ancient times and two in the black-powder era; five were set in a variety of pre-World War II 20th Century conflicts, five during World War II, and five were post-war. Most of the games portrayed decision-making at high command levels. Six covered a whole war while another nine depicted major campaigns. Only four were limited to single battles and just two were tactical engagements that were part of a larger fight.

Command had its heyday in the mid-1990s, as magazine staff Ty Bomba, Chris Perello and Larry Hoffman hit their stride, publishing another 18 issues containing 21 games or major variants or expansions over three years. While the 20th century accounted for most of the titles, there were representatives from nearly every era, all land-oriented. Two were set in ancient times and six in the black-powder era. Four were set in a variety of pre-WWII 20th Century conflicts, seven during the Second World War and one was post-war. One, "Mason-Dixon," was multi-era, with scenarios set in 1917, 1940 and 1990. Most of the games continued to portray decision making at high command levels. Four covered a whole war while 14 depicted major campaigns. Only five were limited to single battles and only one was about a tactical engagement within a larger battle.

Seven of the issues published during Command's final years had two games and there were a large number of "what if" games. Many of the games that appeared in Command have since been republished in Japan by Kokusai-Tsushin Co. Ltd. in Command Magazine Japan. An archived version of the Command website includes sample published articles and an index of all articles printed in its first 50 issues. 

 

Cryptych

 

Dragon

 

Dungeon

The Dungeoneer (1976 - 1979+; Judges Guild; ); Founded by gamer Jennell Jaquays as part of "honest efforts at quality contents to interest readers," this was one of the earliest publications devoted to supporting role-playing games in general and Dungeons & Dragons in particular. Marketed as a magazine for dungeonmasters, the publication was noteworthy for its pioneering approach to pre-factored adventures. Shown here is issue number 14, from November/December 1979. 

Fusilier: A Quarterly for Military Historians (Autumn 1973 - ?; Baron Publishing Company; c. 44 pages; $1.25; B&W; saddle-stitched cardstock cover): While this was not explicitly a wargaming publication and did not contain any content or rules, it was clearly being targetted at historic gamers. Content included things like articles on uniforms, orders of battle, and weapons, and about a third of the publication was dedicated to articles on historic miniatures. 

Imagine. Read the Issue #5 Editorial, by Editorial Assistant Kim Daniel, who is moved to discuss her perceptions of gender issues and gaming. 

International Wargamer (1970s): Read two articles from the March 1972 issue of this publication, "Dave Arneson, Historic Wargamer," and "The Basics of Naval Strategy."

 

Kobold Quarterly

 

Military Miniature Art and Review Quarterly (Fall 1993 - at least Spring 1996; at least 14 quarterly issues; 38-40 pages; $5.95; saddle-stitched magazine 8-1/2" x 11"with full-color glossy cover; Philip S. Cranz, Fort Worth, Texas). This beautiful, high-end quarterly publication was devoted to military miniatures and their place as an art form. Features included painting technique, new product releases, product reviews, artist interviews and profiles, coverage of military miniature shows, and advertising. Up to a dozen interior pages included color images. While not a gaming publication per se, it covered material that was obviously of appeal to many gamers, particularly those interested in historic gaming. A driving force behind the publication was apparently miniature collector and international banker Lee Chandler, who wrote for the publication, was the subject of articles in it, and was its U.K. point of contact. 

    

 

The Miniature Parade. Read an article on "Melee Dice" from the first issue of this publication. 

 

Owl and Weasel

Shadis

 

The Space Gamer

 

The Strategic Review

Wargamer's Digest

Wargamer's Newsletter (c. 1962 - c. 1980; at least 153 monthly issues; c. 36 pages; .30 British Pounds; B&W; saddle-stitched self-cover). This long-running newsletter was run by veteran wargame designer Donald Featherstone. It was very serious in tone and appearance and not supportive of the rise of fantasy gaming. Read what we are calling "The Fathers of Modern Wargaming" by editor Donald Featherstone and "Fantasy Gamers Not Welcome," our title for an editorial piece from the August 1974 issue of this publication by author P. Haythornethwaite. 

 

Wargames Illustrated (). Wargames Illustrated is a magazine dedicated to historical tabletop miniature wargaming. It has both paper and digital editions and maintains editorial staff in Nottinghamshire in the United Kingdom, in the United States, and in New Zealand. Established in 1987, Wargames Illustrated has been owned by New Zealand-based Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., internationally known for producing the miniature wargames Flames of War and owning game aid producer Gale Force Nine, since 2009. The magazine focuses on all aspects of gaming, to include reviews of new products, painting advice, and information on campaign settings and historical battles. Its contents are in large part provided by third party submissions. Editor-in-chief is John Paul Brisigotti, U.S. editor is Dave Taylor, and U.K. editor since 2009 is Dan Falconbridge; Duncan Macfarlane was editor-in-chief until he sold the magazine in 2009. 

 

 

White Dwarf