Who designed Tactics II and when was it first published?
Tactics II was designed by Charles S. Roberts and first published by Avalon Hill in 1958. It was the second game Roberts produced, following the success of his original game, Tactics.
Questions about Tactics II
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many times was Tactics II re-released by Avalon Hill?
Avalon Hill re-released Tactics II in 1961 and again in 1973 after discontinuing it in 1972 due to rising costs. The 1973 edition used less costly components and was marketed as an introductory wargame.
Why was Tactics II discontinued in 1972?
Avalon Hill discontinued Tactics II in 1972 because of rising production costs. The game was then redesigned with cheaper components in 1973 and used as a loss leader to introduce new players to wargaming.
What did critics say about Tactics II as a wargame?
Critics were largely negative. Nicholas Palmer called it a "Respectable but dull abstract introductory game" in his 1977 book. Jon Freeman, writing in 1980, called it unplayable and gave it an Overall Evaluation of "Poor," arguing the map produced an inevitable stalemate at the center of the board.
How does Tactics II differ from the original Tactics game?
Tactics II is nearly identical to the original Tactics in most respects. It features a slightly revised map and more detailed unit counters, but the core gameplay is essentially the same.
Did Avalon Hill release an anniversary edition of Tactics II?
Avalon Hill did not release an anniversary edition of Tactics II. In 1983, the company released a 25th anniversary edition of the original Tactics, which featured a new, different map.