There are
several memorable games from the Avalon Hill line that many remember seeing as
teenagers. Tactics is the first published game, written by Roberts
himself. Many of these games still have
a following: Squad Leader (and Advanced Squad Leader), Panzer Leader, Kingmaker, Dune, Civilization and Wooden Ships & Iron Men.
(None of which have I ever played, though I own a few!) The purchase of 3M’s gaming line brought
several non-wargame titles to the company including Facts in Five, Twixt and Sleuth.
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| An earlier version of Diplomacy (Bradley Eng-Kohn) |
Some of
these games are still in print, and are almost legendary. Diplomacy,
one the earliest titles, is still in print after over fifty years. Acquire,
one of my all-time favorite games, will be fifty years old next year. Several are being printed by other companies
who have acquired the license, including Hannibal:
Rome vs. Carthage, Britannia and The Republic of Rome. Fantasy Flight is putting together a
reprint of Dune, though under a
slightly theme due to licensing issues.
Several companies have simultaneously announced a reprint of Merchant of Venus, and while it’s not a
wargame, it appears to be setting up quite a legal battle.
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| The current version of A&A (Promotional Image) |
In the last
ten years, Avalon Hill has still represented a line of games that are geared
toward the hobbyist. In addition to Diplomacy and Acquire, best selling games include Battle Cry, Betrayal at House
on the Hill and Nexus Ops. The largest publication efforts have been in
marketing the Axis and Allies brand
of lighter wargames. The original Axis and Allies was a Milton Bradley
game published in 1983, however revised editions were released as Avalon Hill
titles. The Axis and Allies rule set was then adapted to other WWII games,
including Axis & Allies: Pacific,
Axis & Allies: D-Day, Axis &
Allies: Battle of the Bulge and Axis
& Allies: Guadalcanal. Naval and
land miniature systems were also created.
One of
Hasbro’s latest offerings, Battleship
Galaxies: The Saturn Offensive, was released under the Hasbro line despite
the fact that it really is a hobby game.
Given the fact that Hasbro has another game line, Wizards of the Coast
(which actually operates the Avalon Hill line), it could be the Avalon Hill
brand will not see new titles, but only continue to publish the titles it
already has.
Are Avalon
Hill games family games? Generally, I
don’t believe so. Acquire could certainly be played and enjoyed by a family with
older children, but often an Avalon Hill game is either too complex or simply too
long for casual gaming. Many of the
older wargames are strictly two-player affairs.
If you are looking for family games, this brand is one where a little
extra research on the game is necessary.
It’s
Your Move
Previous Posts:
- More Economic Game for Your Money: Acquire
- Don't Just Take My Word - Acquire and Hey! That's My Fish
