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Strategic Simulations Inc.
Publisher
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Strategic Simulations Inc.

Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) was an American video game developer and publisher famous for its wargames and computer role-playing games.
Role-playing (RPG)
Strategy
Action
Simulation
Founded
1979
Acquired
1994
HQ
Mountain View, California, United States
Parent
Ubisoft
Known for
Computer Wargames / Role-playing Games / Strategy
51
Games
1983–1995
Years
4
Platforms
$52.36
Ø CIB
-4.8%
24M change

About

Founded in 1979 by Joel Billings, SSI became a pioneer in the computer wargame industry, publishing numerous historical simulations. The company later gained massive success in the late 1980s and 1990s by securing the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) license, which led to the famous 'Gold Box' series of role-playing games.
During the early 1980s, the publisher diversified its catalog across various personal computer platforms, including the Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, and Commodore 64. The company's early lineup featured sci-fi strategy games like IO (1982) and Savage (1983), alongside tactical simulations such as Combat Leader (1983). Sports simulations also proved successful, notably Computer Baseball (1983), which allowed players to manage statistical matchups.
The core of the publisher's reputation rested on detailed military recreations. Key historical releases from 1983 included Battle For Normandy, The Battle Of The Bulge: Tigers In The Snow, and Knights Of The Desert, which simulated the North African campaign. The company also explored Cold War political-military dynamics with Geopolitique 1990 (1983). These titles established rigorous design standards, utilizing complex rulebooks and grid-based maps.
In 1994, Mindscape acquired the company. It was later sold to Mattel in 1999 and eventually integrated into Ubisoft in 2001, which retired the brand name.

Key People

Joel Billings
Founder
John Lyon
Executive
Ed Williger
Executive

Connections

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