War of the Ring
2–3 players • Simulations Publications, Inc. • 1977
- Publisher
- Simulations Publications, Inc.
- First published
- 1977
- Players
- 2–3 players
- Genre
- Fantasy
How it plays
War of the Ring plays 2–3 players.
Genres
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Released in 1977 by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI), this board game was one of the most ambitious licensed adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Published during the height of the hobby wargaming era, the game was designed by Howard Barasch and Richard Berg to simulate the strategic military conflicts of Middle-earth, utilizing a complex system of counters and maps that mirrored the depth of traditional hex-and-counter wargames of the period.
The game is noted for its intricate ruleset and expansive map, reflecting the technical design philosophy favored by SPI at the time. While it was praised by dedicated wargamers for its thematic integration and depth, its reception was mixed among casual fans due to its high barrier to entry and the logistical challenges of managing such a dense rulebook. Today, it is regarded as a significant piece of tabletop gaming history, representing the industry's early efforts to translate epic fantasy literature into sophisticated, systems-driven simulations.
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Who's collecting this
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About War of the Ring
War of the Ring is a game in the Board Games catalog on collecto.rs. 2–3 players • Simulations Publications, Inc. • 1977. It's filed under fantasy. Catalog data is sourced from Wikidata. No public games collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How do you play War of the Ring?
War of the Ring is a board game for 2–3 players, filed under fantasy. collecto.rs catalogues the game, not its rules — for the full rulebook, use the copy in the box or the publisher's own site.
How many players is War of the Ring for?
War of the Ring is built for 2–3 players. That count comes from this catalog entry alone — nothing from an expansion or a spin-off is folded into it.
Who publishes War of the Ring?
War of the Ring is published by Simulations Publications, Inc.. The catalog gives its publication year as 1977.
Has War of the Ring won any awards?
Yes — the catalog entry for War of the Ring lists Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Fantasy Board Game.
How many collectors track War of the Ring on collecto.rs?
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Where does the War of the Ring catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for War of the Ring is sourced from Wikidata. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
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