Warlords (Series)

Warlords: Turn-Based Strategy Video Games

Discover the turn-based strategy video game series Warlords, published by Strategic Simulations, Inc., focusing on fantasy and historical war themes where players build armies, manage resources, and battle enemies on a hex map.

What is Warlords (Series)?

Warlords is a seminal series of turn-based fantasy and historical war games published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The games focus on strategic empire building and tactical combat between armies on a hex map.

In a typical Warlords game, players take on the role of a faction leader tasked with conquering rival territories. Gameplay revolves around managing settlements and armies, exploring the map, acquiring resources, researching advancements, and waging tactical battles. Combat takes place on iso-metric battle screens where players maneuver units and cast spells. Victory goes to those who can balance economic, technological, and military power to dominate their enemies.

The first game in the series, Warlords, was released in 1981 and let up to 8 players wage war with medieval-themed factions. Over the years, SSI published sequels and spin-offs set in fantasy worlds like Arcanus as well as historical settings such as 14th century Germany and Charlemagne's empire. The series spanned over a dozen titles before going on hiatus in the late 90s.

The Warlords series established many conventions of the turn-based strategy genre and influenced seminal titles like Civilization and Age of Wonders. It pioneered the concept of fantasy wargaming, providing innovations in multi-player hotseat play.

Warlords (Series) Features

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