Dwarfstar Games

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Dwarfstar Games was a division of Heritage Models that published microgame-sized fantasy and science fiction board wargames in the early 1980s. They typically came with 12"x14" fold-out cardstock mapboards and 154 thin die-cut counters. The demise of its parent company also meant the end for Dwarfstar.

Contents

GameDesignerDate
Barbarian Prince Arnold Hendrick1981
Demonlord Arnold Hendrick1981
Outpost Gamma Howard Barasch1981
Star Viking Arnold Hendrick1981
Dragon Rage Lewis Pulsipher 1982
GoblinHoward Barasch1982
Grav Armor Arnold Hendrick1982
Star Smuggler B. Dennis Sustare1982

Dragon Rage was reissued in a much larger format, with an additional board and scenarios, by Flatlined Games (Belgium) in 2011.

Reception

Steve List reviewed the first four games from Dwarfstar Games in Ares Magazine #12 and commented that "one is outstanding, one quite good and the others somewhat underwhelming. But [for the price] they are not too much of an investment." [1]

In a retrospective in Black Gate , John ONeill said "As a business, the Dwarfstar line wasn't a success. Unlike Metagaming and Task Force, who released dozens of titles over the years, they produced only eight games between 1981-82. But from a creative perspective, they were a magnificent hit." [2]

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References

  1. List, Steve (January 1982). "Games". Ares Magazine (12). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 28.
  2. "The Priceless Treasures of the Barbarian Prince – Black Gate". 16 September 2018.