Test Series Games Downloads |
|||
Back to the main page |
|
In the beginning, there were the Test Series Games.
The Test Series Games [TSG] were the original efforts by the formative band of would-be designers that came together around Strategy & Tactics magazine (S&T) magazine in the early days. Poultron Press was organized to improve the games offered to wargamers, and break the 'one game a year' stranglehold The Avalon Hill Game Company [AH] Hill exerted on the hobby. Poultron Press first advertised in S&T 18 - click the link below to see an ad from S&T 20. The response was overwhelming.
The rules were not typeset. The maps were black & white, on very thin
paper. Counters were essentially printed on construction paper,
unmounted. And yet - they sold hundreds. Check out all the great
pictures at the bottom of the page.
The TSG List as I have it, is:
In 1970:
Here is a page advertising the TSG games: [Ad from S&T 20] Here is an article talking about these games: [TEST SERIES GAMES] And here is Dunnigan's review and behind the scenes discussion of these groundbreaking efforts. TSG Review Here is the beginning of the conversion from Test Series Games (TSGs) to Simulation Series Games (SSGs) [ Upgrading the Test Series Games ] That article above talks about adding mounted counters for a number of the TSGs - but then speaks of upgrading the maps, too. This was an insert in S&T 27- special thanks to Allen Tiffany for this find!
On the 'coming attractions' list for TSGs
printed above is the offer of
Strategy I, a much dreamed of 'wargame construction kit' to allow
gamers to creat their own wargames of battles from almost any era.
Strategy I would never make it to a TSG.
It would finally see print as as a full fledged SPI Simulation Series
Game - SSG, as opposed to TSG. The SSGs offered a 22" x 34" cardstock
printed map with two colors; half-inch square die cut printed counters;
and professionally printed rules. In short, they were a game similar in
physical quality to AH, yet built on accurate OBs and leaning toward a
simulation, not just 'a game.'
Daniel Duldig has been kind enough to donate 1914
Revision, Italy, and Stalingrad 3. David Barkey has contributed
Barbarossa, Deployment, Leipzig, Normandy, and Tannenburg! And now,
Stephen Oliver has contributed the 'great white whale', Tactical Game 3
(Russia 1944)!
Right click here, and
choose 'Save Target As' Rules for Barbarossa Test Series Game Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Right click here, and
choose 'Save Target As'
Rules for Leipzig - Test Series Game Rules Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Rules Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As' (Not Complete) Map Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
|