The 1977 release of OGRE by Metagaming Concepts shattered the established order of the wargaming world, proving that science fiction themes could generate massive commercial success where military history had reigned supreme for decades. This single publication forced established publishers like Simulations Publications, Inc. to pivot their entire business model, transforming from a company dedicated solely to historical military simulations into a competitor in the burgeoning microgame market. SPI responded by launching Ares in 1980, a bi-monthly science fiction and fantasy magazine designed to complement their existing military publication, Strategy & Tactics. Each issue of Ares was not merely a collection of articles but a complete gaming experience, featuring a foldout stiff paper map, die-cut counters, and a full set of rules for a small science fiction board game included free with every copy. The magazine represented a desperate yet ambitious attempt to capture the same audience that had flocked to OGRE, blending serious science fiction writing with accessible gameplay mechanics that required minimal setup time.
The SPI to TSR Takeover
Simulations Publications, Inc. managed to publish eleven full issues of Ares before the company was suddenly and unexpectedly taken over by TSR, Inc. in 1982, a corporate event that fundamentally altered the magazine's trajectory and future. TSR released the twelfth issue, which had already been prepared by SPI, but immediately reduced the publication frequency from bi-monthly to quarterly, signaling a shift in strategic priorities and resource allocation. The takeover marked the beginning of the end for Ares as an independent entity, as the new owners began to distance themselves from the legacy of SPI's role-playing games and their unique editorial voice. This transition period saw the magazine struggle to find a new identity under TSR's management, as the original vision of a dedicated science fiction wargame publication clashed with the corporate goals of the acquiring company. The sudden change in ownership left many contributors and readers wondering if the magazine would survive the corporate shakeup, a question that would be answered in the coming years.The Dragon Magazine Merger
After publishing seventeen issues, TSR made the decision to stop printing Ares as a separate magazine, instead folding its content into a section titled Ares within their house magazine, Dragon, starting with issue number eighty-four in April 1984. This new section lasted until issue number one hundred and eleven in July 1986, effectively bringing the Ares story to a close after six years of publication. The merger marked a significant departure from the original concept, as the section no longer focused on SPI's role-playing games but instead became a platform to discuss TSR's own science fiction games, such as Gamma World and Star Frontiers. This shift in focus alienated many of the original readers who had subscribed to Ares for its unique blend of science fiction and wargaming, as the content became increasingly aligned with TSR's broader product line. The decision to merge Ares into Dragon reflected a broader trend in the industry where specialized magazines were being absorbed into larger, more general publications to streamline operations and reduce costs.