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.

By the way
-  Poltron is the French word for 'coward.'
Special thanks to reader Armand in Paris for the translation note!  

The TSG List as I have it, is: 

in 1969:

  • Leipzig

  • Barbarossa

  • Normandy

  • Italy

  • Flying Fortress

  • Tactical Game 3

  • Deployment

  • Tannenberg

  • 1914 Revision Kit

In 1970:

  • Flying Fortress 2nd edition

  • Flying Tigers

  • Battle of Britain Revision Kit

  • Twelve O'Clock High

  • 1918

  • Korea

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.'

Below is what I have available on the Test Series Games. (If anyone would like to donate, I will make them available to all. This is our shared history we are talking about!)

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)!

Many thanks to ALL of you for your great donation to the other members of our shared hobby!


Rules for 1914 Revision

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'
 

Rules for Barbarossa  Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules for Deployment Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules for Italy - Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'

Map v1 Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'

Map v2 Right Click here, and choose 'Save Target As'

 

Rules for Leipzig - Test Series Game

Rules Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules for Normandy - Test Series Game

Rules Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As' (Not Complete)

Map   Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules (notes) for Stalingrad 3 Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules for Tactical Game 3 (Russia, 1944) - Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


Rules for Tannenberg - Test Series Game

Right click here, and choose 'Save Target As'


And a collection of pictures. Click to see full sized picture.

TSG Opening Page

1918 Map

1918 Items

1918 Counters

Barbarossa Mailer / Rules

Barbarossa Rules

Barbarossa Rules

Barbarossa

Barbarossa

Barbarossa Map

Barbarossa Map

Barbarossa Map

Barbarossa Map

Barbarossa Counters

Barbarossa Counters

Barbarossa Counters

Barbarossa Counters

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment Map

Deployment Map

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Deployment

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress Rules

Flying Fortress Rules

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress

Luftwaffe

Flying Fortress

Flying Fortress

Korea

Korea

Korea

Korea

Korea

Korea

Korea Counters

Korea Counters

Korea Counters

Normandy Rules

Normandy Map

Normandy

Normandy

Normandy Map

Stalingrad

Tannenburg Map

Tannenburg

Tannenburg