From the familiar to the obscure, a challenge for every interest.
Small Package, Big History!
Launched in 1967, Strategy & Tactics was the first magazine to include a game in every issue as well as being the longest continuously running military history magazine (issue #350 appears in November 2024). Each game is supported by a feature-length article in the magazine providing in-depth analysis of the battle or campaign depicted in the game, along with game design notes. Game topics range from ancient to modern, strategic to tactical, and include land, naval, and air conflicts.
The games fit in-between the folios and the main boxed game lines Decision Games publishes in size and complexity. They have unique, rigid component requirements to meet postal requirements – only one map sheet, one counter sheet and a 16-page rules booklet are included. These limitations challenge game designers to focus on a few crucial elements they deem important to model in their games. This has resulted in many design and graphic innovations in game systems and components over the past six decades.
The games to be published are also chosen by a unique customer feedback system that began in the 1970’s and has continued to the present. Game proposals are submitted by designers and run in feedback surveys. The proposals most preferred by respondents are selected and enter the design-development-production-publication pipeline. This customer feedback system has resulted in many unique topics being chosen. It has also resulted in several series of games being chosen when customers wanted more of the game systems they liked.