The Grenadier (magazine)

The Grenadier was a wargaming magazine published by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI). It focused primarily on board wargames, particularly those published by SPI themselves, but also covered miniatures and other aspects of the hobby.

Content: The magazine typically included:

• Game Articles: Articles detailing strategy, tactics, and historical background related to specific wargames. These articles often provided insights into gameplay and offered advanced rules or scenarios.
• Game Reviews: Critical assessments of newly released wargames, often from SPI and other publishers.
• Designer's Notes: Articles written by the designers of wargames, explaining their design process, historical research, and intended gameplay.
• Variants and Scenarios: Alternative rules, additional scenarios, or modifications to existing wargames. These often expanded the replayability of games.
• Historical Articles: Essays focusing on military history relevant to wargaming, providing context for the games being covered.
• Miniature Wargaming: Coverage of miniature wargaming rules, painting techniques, and historical periods.
• Advertisements: Advertisements for SPI's games and other hobby products.
• "House" Organ: Served as an official communication platform for SPI to announce new games, company developments, and interact with their customer base.

Publication History: The Grenadier was published during the period when SPI was a major force in the wargaming industry. The exact dates of its publication run are relevant to understanding its historical context within the development of wargaming as a hobby. Like many wargaming magazines of the era, it ceased publication when its parent company, SPI, encountered financial difficulties and was eventually acquired.

Significance: The Grenadier is considered a significant publication in the history of wargaming. It provided a forum for discussion, analysis, and community building around the hobby. Its articles and reviews influenced the design and popularity of wargames, and it served as a valuable resource for wargamers during its publication.