James F. Dunnigan, Wargame Designer, Editor, Publisher, Author:  1943 -

Called by many, “The Dean of Wargaming,” Jim Dunnigan was by far the most prolific contributor to the field of wargaming in the 1970‘s and arguably the field’s most innovative designer ever. Born in Rockland county, 25 miles north of New York City, in 1943 he first encountered wargaming in the early 1960’s during Army training at Red Stone Arsenal, Huntsville Alabama. By 1970 he had two innovative print wargames published; “Jutland”, c 1967 & “1914” c 1968 both published by Avalon Hill. In 1969 he founded Simulation Publishing Incorporated and purchased a small military history magazine, “Strategy & Tactics”.  “S&T”, as his magazine was usually referred to, was both an innovation (first magazine with a print wargame in each issue) and a catalyst for innovation. S&T published innovative designs, included articles on designing wargames and inspired a generation of designers.  For the next 11 years Dunnigan was the publisher, editor and principle designer for S&T.  Also during the 1970’s Dunnigan became the world’s most published print wargame designer, a distinction he would retain for over two decades. First interviewed about military affairs in 1976 he appeared quite often during the First Gulf War. In 1979 his first book was published, “The Complete Wargame Handbook.” Since then he has averaged over one new book or new edition of a book published a year.  During the 1990s, as part of his efforts to promote and facilitate the application of wargaming he founded the Strategy Page web site. Today Strategy Page deals with all aspects of military analysis and is the largest such site in the world.  As of May 2011 Mr. Dunnigan has designed 113 wargames and authored or co-authored over 20 books.  Today he divides his time evenly between applying simulation game techniques to financial alternative analysis and running the Strategy Page - though he also continues to speak, and be interviewed on; wargaming, military history, and military affairs.

(Last Updated 14 July 2011.)

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