OMG, what a trip! I worked at SPI during this period. I even saw an old friend in the film lol. This was most likely shot during our play test sessions. In some ways it was a great job. Had it's down side too as all jobs do. I was around 18 at the time and worked in the Modern Warfare dept's R+D staff. God, I loved that job! Just my opinion but these games were so good for educating about history and developing critical thinking and analytical skills. In fact, these games are one of the reasons that I was able to become an infantry officer. Yes, I still love playing. I wish more of the online and PC games of today were as richly informative and educational as those were (and still are). Thanks so much for posting this for us.
I had forgotten all about his video. Cool seeing all of the adults I know as teenagers. I even saw myself for a two second cameo. Good fun and good memories. Mark
Agreed Mark. I remember doing the play test maps for "The Next War" for you back then. Those were some of the best times and one of the most fun jobs I've ever had. Hope all is well my friend.
@@cy2087 Wonderful! Some of us still play The Next War - it had a lot of great mechanisms that made it one of the best operational-level games of its time.
I'm the guy who actually produced the three-tape VHS set-- the Classic Wargames Video Library. I think I have about 10 sets left. The above film was lent to me by Jim Dunnigan for use in the video. The SPI TV commercial is also in the video, and was lent to me by the late Redmond Simonsen.
That would still serve as a decent intro to non-wargamers today (cigarette smokers and horrid '70s haircuts nothwithstanding). The time-lapse animations were particularly fun.
Thanks for the interest. The tapes are still shrink-wrapped and in pristine condition. Price was/is $29/tape or $64 for the complete set of 3. I could have them transferred to DVD if there's enough demand.
I did too, around 1977 or 78 when i was 13 or 14. Yes a big Manhattan suite. Place was pretty cluttered! graphic design suite was awesome! and they were so friendly-just some kid and his parents show up, and they gave a whole tour, introduced us around. A precious memory from the first golden age of gaming!
This really took me back to my childhood/student days. Still got a bunch of SPI (and other publishers) games in the attic gathering dust. This might prompt me to dust them off and play once more...
Visited their operation in August 1976, on my way to Italy (Army). Hectic operation for sure! They had a one-piece play test map of Atlantic Wall tacked to the wall.
Trip down memory lane, i have almost all of these games and have played them all. The War in Europe game was interesting, these days i lack the dexterity to lean over such a large area, i would probably collapse and die if i tried.
Cut my teeth on Avalon Hill games in the 60s. I had many of the SPI games shown here. Then when I was in the Army I used them for training aids. Alas I have no board games and now into computer games. No more girls, cats, parents or Mother Nature messing up the board games. Thanks for the memories.
Ah, the excitement of wargaming! I love the cigarettes; the animated Wagram game; the whole thing is amazing and one thousand thanks are due to Clock Monster for posting it!
What a great video! :-) but leave it to SPI to make an introductory movie using Wagram as an example---a battle only a handful of Americans would even barely recognize!
Wow, fantastic footage from the 70's. Probably filmed in Super 8! I miss that time, much more simple environment. Cold war, just two side to chose from. Today is more difficult to know who is your enemy!
Yeah, I would say so. Even at $100 for a game, if it's good, you'll spend countless hours playing it, which will quickly be much cheaper than engaging in other activities. Have you priced crack cocaine lately?
Good question. I only know one other person who has even heard of the series. I transferred them to DVD myself last year since VHS is basically an obsolete format now.
lol i have no memory of this whatsoevermaybe rich berg or eric goldberg-who can be seen herein-know something about iti do recall a more professional looking tv ad which featured the fingers of kip allen moving counters around on a map, but we never used it for muchclockmonster24, where did u dig it up from?
Brad, I doubt you remember me but I remember you. I worked with Eric on "Descent On Crete" and later with Tony Merridy mostly. This vid brought back some great memories. I don't remember this either but it looks like it was made on one or more of our playtest nights. I didn't see Eric in the vid but I did see an old friend that worked with us on a lot of modern warfare sims. Hope life has treated you well man.
Where and when was this originally aired? I had a subscription to S&T and my Dad worked close to the SPI offices in NYC. But I never recall seeing this on the local NYC TV stations at the time (70's - 80's). Was this a TV spot or a ad for toy and hobby stores, conventions?
I was wondering because it looks like it was projected on a wall and then shot with a video camera. Is your screen name also your gmail? I would like to email you with more questions.
Love how the announcer says that wargames are recreations of historical battles or potential future wars yet they show the cover of 'Sorcerer' in the opening montage! Is that a historical game or a future warfare game??? ;-)
@EdBauer50 With over 9,000 hits on this video, I think the demand is there. :) If you do transfer to DVD, sign me up to purchase! Since this got big exposure on Consimworld and BGG, I suggest you post the "for sale" sign there - that is after I buy the first copy. :)_
OMG, what a trip! I worked at SPI during this period. I even saw an old friend in the film lol. This was most likely shot during our play test sessions. In some ways it was a great job. Had it's down side too as all jobs do. I was around 18 at the time and worked in the Modern Warfare dept's R+D staff. God, I loved that job! Just my opinion but these games were so good for educating about history and developing critical thinking and analytical skills. In fact, these games are one of the reasons that I was able to become an infantry officer. Yes, I still love playing. I wish more of the online and PC games of today were as richly informative and educational as those were (and still are). Thanks so much for posting this for us.
I had forgotten all about his video. Cool seeing all of the adults I know as teenagers. I even saw myself for a two second cameo. Good fun and good memories.
Mark
Agreed Mark. I remember doing the play test maps for "The Next War" for you back then. Those were some of the best times and one of the most fun jobs I've ever had. Hope all is well my friend.
@@cy2087 Wonderful! Some of us still play The Next War - it had a lot of great mechanisms that made it one of the best operational-level games of its time.
I'm the guy who actually produced the three-tape VHS set-- the Classic Wargames Video Library. I think I have about 10 sets left. The above film was lent to me by Jim Dunnigan for use in the video. The SPI TV commercial is also in the video, and was lent to me by the late Redmond Simonsen.
Love those videos
Sure wish you made more.
No cards, no chit pulls, no blocks. I wanna go back.
That would still serve as a decent intro to non-wargamers today (cigarette smokers and horrid '70s haircuts nothwithstanding). The time-lapse animations were particularly fun.
Thanks for the interest. The tapes are still shrink-wrapped and in pristine condition. Price was/is $29/tape or $64 for the complete set of 3. I could have them transferred to DVD if there's enough demand.
I never knew SPI put out any commercials. I learned about them through their ads in Analog but I recognize (and still have) many of these games.
I visited their offices once and got a quick tour. Nice guys! And the offices were pretty big! The golden days...
I did too, around 1977 or 78 when i was 13 or 14. Yes a big Manhattan suite. Place was pretty cluttered! graphic design suite was awesome! and they were so friendly-just some kid and his parents show up, and they gave a whole tour, introduced us around. A precious memory from the first golden age of gaming!
If I would've known, I would've loved to visit that place, as I lived in NYC, but I was just getting my feet wet with Avalon Hill games around 1978.
I worked at The Compleat Strategist for a while in 1978. Used to go down to SPI to pick up games for the store.
This really took me back to my childhood/student days. Still got a bunch of SPI (and other publishers) games in the attic gathering dust. This might prompt me to dust them off and play once more...
So, did you ever?
The music is by Johann Strauss and its called "The Radetzky March".
Great old school film on War Boardgaming!
Visited their operation in August 1976, on my way to Italy (Army). Hectic operation for sure! They had a one-piece play test map of Atlantic Wall tacked to the wall.
Wagram is one of my favourite wargames! Small & compact with plenty of game play and both sides have a chance.
Fantastic. First time that I have seen this.
In the UK we only had adverts made by Ridley Scott. Then and now this was preferable.
I ripped this video segment from volume 2 of a three tape VHS series on the games in S&T magazine during its early years at SPI.
Wagram was a minor classic - kept it simple but gave both sides a chance. I still have my copy up in the attic somewhere...
Trip down memory lane, i have almost all of these games and have played them all. The War in Europe game was interesting, these days i lack the dexterity to lean over such a large area, i would probably collapse and die if i tried.
This video still has a lot to offer in terms of information. I still play many of the old AH games I own.
Cut my teeth on Avalon Hill games in the 60s. I had many of the SPI games shown here. Then when I was in the Army I used them for training aids. Alas I have no board games and now into computer games. No more girls, cats, parents or Mother Nature messing up the board games. Thanks for the memories.
Ah, the excitement of wargaming! I love the cigarettes; the animated Wagram game; the whole thing is amazing and one thousand thanks are due to Clock Monster for posting it!
Boy, does this bring back memories...
Righteous! I had no idea SPI had an actual commercial back in the day.
Very heartfelt thanks, friends of the USA, for creating such good things. I love board games!
Man ! It´s histroy !!!! I get a lot of good memos watching the covers and pepole playing !! You make my new year happy !!!
Thanks !
I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to see the rest of these tapes!!!
What a great video! :-) but leave it to SPI to make an introductory movie using Wagram as an example---a battle only a handful of Americans would even barely recognize!
Wow, fantastic footage from the 70's. Probably filmed in Super 8! I miss that time, much more simple environment. Cold war, just two side to chose from. Today is more difficult to know who is your enemy!
0:17 I love that Dale Gribble vietnam vet looking dude, so american
"Low cost entertainment?"
Yeah, I would say so. Even at $100 for a game, if it's good, you'll spend countless hours playing it, which will quickly be much cheaper than engaging in other activities. Have you priced crack cocaine lately?
Good question. I only know one other person who has even heard of the series. I transferred them to DVD myself last year since VHS is basically an obsolete format now.
lol i have no memory of this whatsoevermaybe rich berg or eric goldberg-who can be seen herein-know something about iti do recall a more professional looking tv ad which featured the fingers of kip allen moving counters around on a map, but we never used it for muchclockmonster24, where did u dig it up from?
Brad, I doubt you remember me but I remember you. I worked with Eric on "Descent On Crete" and later with Tony Merridy mostly. This vid brought back some great memories. I don't remember this either but it looks like it was made on one or more of our playtest nights. I didn't see Eric in the vid but I did see an old friend that worked with us on a lot of modern warfare sims. Hope life has treated you well man.
Definite interest in DVD. Please let us know.
Half of these chuckers are tuggin' on Pall Malls. Nowadays they'd show contestants chuggin' Red Bull!
Not to mention that some of those smokers look no older than 15.
Nice find.
Please convert to DVD and offer them to consim-l mailing list.
I wonder how much your three tape VHS series on S&T games would go for on e-Bay? A real collectible!
Where and when was this originally aired? I had a subscription to S&T and my Dad worked close to the SPI offices in NYC. But I never recall seeing this on the local NYC TV stations at the time (70's - 80's). Was this a TV spot or a ad for toy and hobby stores, conventions?
@markherman50 Can you tell us anything more about the place? The time? Who some of the others are in the film?
Awesome!
Do you have a film copy of this? Or did you just happen upon this video file on the web?
I pulled this video off of a VHS series covering the early years of S&T magazine.
I was wondering because it looks like it was projected on a wall and then shot with a video camera. Is your screen name also your gmail? I would like to email you with more questions.
seems like a 100 years ago
Love how the announcer says that wargames are recreations of historical battles or potential future wars yet they show the cover of 'Sorcerer' in the opening montage! Is that a historical game or a future warfare game??? ;-)
Both.
Very cool!
@EdBauer50 Please include me in your generous give away of the 10 sets! ;)
Seriously. Any plans for the remaining 10 sets? Conversion to DVD?
Lots of smokers. How times have changed! Chess tournaments in that time were gas warfare.
Awesome!! ^_^
@EdBauer50 With over 9,000 hits on this video, I think the demand is there. :) If you do transfer to DVD, sign me up to purchase! Since this got big exposure on Consimworld and BGG, I suggest you post the "for sale" sign there - that is after I buy the first copy. :)_
"*unintelligible*"
"It's a lot of fun!"
such compelling testimony lol
computers crippled our hobby
😢