Box Games

From the familiar to the obscure, a challenge for every interest.

On the journey of exploring military history boardgames, many players start with box games. As the most common and variable type box games can range in complexity from the novice friendly to the most challenging. Over the years DG has published games of varying depth and topics as box games, even reprinting some of the magazine games with additional enhancements.

While not necessarily true there is a common perception that the size of a box and thus its components is an indication of the depth. Beginner titles

such as Patton’s First Victory or Across Suez provide a basis for understanding common wargame mechanics through approachable and limited scenarios. At the opposite end are titles such as the behemoth, War in the Pacific, which contain such plethora of detail as to cover an entire war in its many facets. However, most wargames are somewhere in the middle, a suitable balance of covering a specific region, battle, or conflict without being bogged down in minutiae that some players relish from those “monster games.”

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DG Boxed Games

In the hierarchy of complexity and detail, most DG boxed games other than the introductory games are at or above magazine games. DG boxed games can be divided into several sub-lines:

Introductory boxed games.

These are largely classic SPI games from SPI. Across Suez is an example. They generally have small maps (11” x 17” to 22” x 17”), 4-8 pages of rules, and 40-100 counters. This is another entry point to get started in wargaming beyond our mini and folio lines. Play time is usually 60-90 minutes.

Intermediate boxed games.

This category includes several lines: General wargame topics including new games as well as SPI updates. This includes the D-Day series, RAF, and Cobra. Play time varies considerably depending on the game and the scenario – most games have scenarios playable in 2-4 hours but can range up to 10+ hours for campaign scenarios (and usually have break points so the game can split into multiple play sessions).

Deluxe game reprints

These are deluxe reprints of OOP magazine games as well as DG and SPI games. They include a mounted game board, new/additional counters, player aid cards, and expanded rules (great for enhancing games limited by the magazine game format). World War I, Battle for Germany, and Midway Solitaire Deluxe are examples. The reprints are being expanded to include larger, two-map DG and SPI games in the intermediate category. Most of these games are 2-6 hours play time.

History Strategy games using Eurogame style mechanics. Currently published are Bleeding Kansas and Corrupt Bargain. Games are intended for general (non-wargaming) board gamers and adaptable for use in history classes at the high school and college level. Play time is 60-120 minutes.

Monster boxed games. These huge games come in oversized boxes to accommodate the large number of components. These wargames generally range from four to nine maps, eight to twenty counter sheets, and 48 to 200+ pages of rules. They feature detailed game systems and are often played by teams over several days though they include smaller scenarios often arranged so players can learn the game system in modular sections using just one or two maps.

Quick Reference about game lines packaging and rules length:

Mini-games (zip-lock, rules at 4-8 pages)
Folios (zip-lock, rules at 8-16 pages)
Magazine Games (comes with magazine in envelope, rules at 16 pages)
Introductory Box Games (one inch box rules at 4-8 pages)
Intermediate Box Games (two-inch box, rules at 16-32 pages)
Monster Box Games (double-wide, two or three-inch box, rules at 48+ pages)

Mini Games