Who owns SPI games?

[kenobi65]

I had a copy of "War of the Ring", which we tried to play exactly once, and gave up. Dang, that thing was massive.

I think I also had a baseball simulation game (a la Strat-o-Matic) that SPI did in the late 70s or early 80s.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I had a copy of "War of the Ring", which we tried to play exactly once, and gave up. Dang, that thing was massive.

We played that twice. Both times the Fellowship player waltzed Frodo unmolested into the heart of Sauron's demesne and plopped the ring into the lava.

After that we played it a couple of times as a straight wargame, but it was pretty 'meh'. Neat maps and counters, though.

 

[Glyfair]

it used bits and peices of every other RPG around at the time.

It did, but some things I don't remember seeing before.

One thing that does stand out about it is the organization. It's written as a wargame, using the same format SPI used for their wargames. Each section had headings and you'd see references to [10.1.12.A] or such. In some ways it was good, but overall was considered a weakness.

 

[kenobi65]

After that we played it a couple of times as a straight wargame, but it was pretty 'meh'. Neat maps and counters, though.

Oh, yes. Physically, it was a gorgeous game. I think I still have it here someplace...

 

[Rothe]

I know that Decision Games has republished a number of old SPI games over the years and has been publishing S&T since 1988. They have the rights to quite a few of them, but I do not know if the ones you are looking for are among them.

You sir are like unto a god for finding that site. (Admittedly my google-fu is weak) That website is going to make my holidays very bright indeed.

 

[Glyfair]

Low and behold it came today! I was pleasantly surprised to see a GM screen in the box along with the starter adventure and the Maps of Alusia book.

I'll note that floating around somewhere on the net is supposed to be the text of the unreleased Arcane Wisdom supplement. Parts of it appeared in TSR's D&D/DQ adventure (available here), but not everything.

Here is a list of everything for the game.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I have 2E Dragonquest, Freedom in the Galaxy and a copy of Barbarian Kings around here somewhere.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I had a copy of "War of the Ring", which we tried to play exactly once, and gave up. Dang, that thing was massive.

Always wanted it, never got it.

I remember people reporting a 'problem' at the time in that fights between major characters were a bit like bad hong-kong movies. Aragorn is faced by the nine ringwraiths who line up and attack him one at a time, something like that