What Scott Hamilton does

HPS Simulations is a privately held, independent publisher of computer wargames and tactical simulations founded in 1990 and headquartered at a PO Box in Santa Clara, California. The company produces a catalog of roughly 30+ active titles organized into distinct series: Marching Eagles (Napoleonic), Combat Actions (WWII/Vietnam small-unit), Last Stands (historical last stands), Unexplored Eras (less-common conflicts), the Tactical Studies Series (TSS), the Ancient Warfare Series, and the Aide de Camp 2 (ADC2) utility for converting board games to electronic play-by-email format. The core technology is proprietary hex-based tactical simulation engines with physics-based modeling, extensive weapons databases, and simultaneous order resolution systems spanning 1650 BCE to near-future combat.

The company sells primarily through direct-to-consumer digital downloads from its own website (hpssims.com) at one-time license prices ranging from $14.95 to $49.95, having discontinued physical CD distribution for most titles and divested the John Tiller software line in August 2021. Its customer base is overwhelmingly hobbyist wargamers seeking ultra-detailed historical simulations, with a minor institutional footprint including the Army Command and General Staff College (which uses Future Force for training) and US Air Force Office of Scientific Research-linked development of Point of Attack. HPS relies on community-led go-to-market through partnerships with ConsimWorld, GameSquad, The Wargamer, and the unofficial HKL community site hosting hundreds of free ADC2 modules. The company has received dozens of awards including the Premier Award from Computer Gaming World Magazine and continues to release new titles as of 2023.

Name

Scott Hamilton

Legal name

HPS Simulations

Website

https://hpssims.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HPS Simulations is a privately held, independent publisher of computer wargames and tactical simulations founded in 1990, selling ultra-detailed historical and modern combat titles directly to hobbyist wargamers via digital downloads, with a minor institutional footprint in military training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer Wargames and Tactical Combat Simulations

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)

Keywords

• Tactical wargames
• Combat simulations
• Historical wargaming
• Military strategy games
• PBEM boardgame utilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Sales (Download): Direct digital download sales of simulation software titles. Customers purchase and download games directly from the company website. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Software Sales (CD): Physical CD distribution for select titles, though the company has transitioned primarily to digital distribution.
3. Expansion Packs and Add-ons: Sale of expansion packs for existing titles (e.g., Punic Wars Expansion Pack #1 adds 17 new scenarios, Expansion Pack #2 adds 23 new scenarios).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HPS Simulations develops and publishes downloadable computer wargames and tactical combat simulations covering historical periods from the Bronze Age (1650 BCE) through near-future modern combat. Products include hex-based tactical wargames (Ancient Warfare, Marching Eagles, Combat Actions), ultra-realistic modern simulations (Tactical Studies Series with Tigers Unleashed and Point of Attack 2.5), abstracted historical titles (Last Stands, Unexplored Eras), and the Aide de Camp 2 utility for converting board wargames into PBEM-playable electronic formats. Software is sold as one-time perpetual licenses via digital download from the company's own website.

Product overview

HPS Simulations is a publisher of computer wargames and simulations for wargamers, founded in 1990. The company produces tactical and strategic combat simulations organized into distinct product series: the Marching Eagles series (Napoleonic battles), Combat Actions series (WWII and Vietnam small-unit actions), Last Stands series (historical last stands), Unexplored Eras series (less-common conflicts including Dark Ages to Renaissance), the Tactical Studies Series (TSS) with ultra-detailed modern combat simulations (Point of Attack 2.5 and Tigers Unleashed), the Ancient Warfare series (detailed ancient period combat simulations), and Aide de Camp 2 (a utility for converting board games to electronic PBEM play). Products are available primarily as downloads, with some titles also offered on CD. The company has received multiple awards including the prestigious Premier Award from Computer Gaming World Magazine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marching Eagles: Waterloo Tactical Napoleonic wargame simulation of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon's forces faced the English-led 7th Coalition and Prussia. Sold as a downloadable title for hobbyist wargamers.
• Marching Eagles: Marengo Napoleonic-era tactical simulation of the 1800 Battle of Marengo, covering the conclusion of Napoleon's Italian Campaign between France and Austria.
• Marching Eagles: Austerlitz Tactical simulation of the 1805 Battle of Austerlitz (the 'Battle of the three emperors'), in which France defeated Russia and Austria.
• Marching Eagles: Borodino Napoleonic tactical simulation of the 1812 Battle of Borodino, the Russians' decisive stand before the gates of Moscow.
• Peleliu - The Devil's Island WWII tactical simulation of the Battle of Peleliu, featuring US Marines assaulting dug-in Japanese positions in Fall 1944.
• Combat Actions: Vietnam Tactical combat simulation of jungle operations in the Vietnam War pitting US forces against VC and NVA circa 1969.
• Combat Actions: The Days of the Dead Tactical small-unit combat simulation featuring an undead experiment gone awry, set in a 3-D environment.
• Combat Actions: Murphy's Heroes WWII tactical simulation depicting intense forest combat in the Hurtgen region of Germany during Fall 1944.
• Zulu Dawn! Tactical simulation of the Battle of Isandlwana in January 1879, pitting 20,000 Zulus against 1,800 British troops.
• The Drift 1879 Tactical simulation of the Battle of Rorke's Drift, depicting the January 1879 defense by approximately 150 British against 3,000-4,000 Zulus.
• The Alamo! Victory or Death Tactical combat simulation of the 13-day siege of the Alamo mission in February-March 1836, with approximately 1,500 Mexicans versus 150 Texians.
• Desperate Glory Tactical simulation of Custer's Last Stand at the Little Bighorn, with approximately 1,500 Native Americans versus 276 US Cavalry in June 1876.
• An Laoch Ri - The Warrior King Quick-play turn-based combat game featuring Arthur, King of the Britons, battling the Saxons in 5th Century AD Britain, based on battles from the Historia Brittonum.
• Patriot Battles Abstracted tactical combat game covering important battles of the American Revolution (1776-1781), designed for quick play with simplified mechanics.
• Vengeance Tactical combat game spanning the Dark Ages to the Renaissance, featuring legendary battles such as Badon Hill, Brunanburh, Hastings, and Agincourt.
• DEFCON-2 Turn-based air war game simulating the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which players command US OPLAN-312 Strike package aircraft to destroy Soviet nuclear missiles before launch.
• Monuments Men RPG-style game in which players assume the identity of OSS soldiers tasked with exploring Austrian mines to recover Nazi-looted artwork and neutralize threats.
• Future Force Strategic force management and resource allocation simulation designed for the Army Command and General Staff College to train military leaders; not a traditional wargame.
• Point of Attack 2.5 Ultra-detailed modern tactical combat simulation at platoon and individual vehicle level, partially developed in association with the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, covering operations from the 1970s to the present.
• Tigers Unleashed Ultra-realistic tactical/grand-tactical level combat simulation set on the Eastern Front of WWII between 1939-1942, focusing on the experience of command with emphasis on fog of war.
• Aide de Camp 2 Universal boardgame conversion and PBEM assistance utility that lets users convert physical board wargames into electronic versions for hot-seat or email play. Supports up to 60,000 hexes/squares and over 30,000 piece definitions; contains no AI.
• Ancient Warfare: Gallic Wars Tactical hex-based simulation of Caesar's conquest of Gaul (100-50 BCE), with 52 scenarios and coverage of Spartacus's slave rebellion.
• Ancient Warfare: Alexandrian Wars Tactical simulation of Alexander the Great's campaigns (400-300 BCE), with 44 scenarios covering battles such as Chaeronea, Gaugamela, and Hydaspes.
• Ancient Warfare: Greek Wars Tactical simulation of hoplite warfare from 500-400 BCE, including Greek versus Persian conflicts and the Peloponnesian Wars, with over 60 scenarios.
• Ancient Warfare: Roman Civil Wars Tactical simulation of Roman military conflicts from 55 BC to 10 AD, covering Caesar's conquest of Gaul, civil wars, and Rome's expansion into Germania.
• Ancient Warfare: Diadochoi Wars Tactical simulation of the wars of Alexander's successors (Diadochoi) from 323-270 BCE, covering conflicts from Greece and Egypt to Bactria and the Indus.
• Ancient Warfare: Bronze Age Wars Tactical simulation covering the chariot era from 1650-660 BCE, from the rise of chariot warfare to the fall of the Assyrian Empire.
• Ancient Warfare: Punic Wars 2 Updated tactical simulation of the conflict between Rome and Carthage from 300-190 BCE, featuring 52 scenarios and 88 maps.
• Punic Wars Expansion Pack #1 Expansion pack for the Punic Wars title adding 17 new scenarios to the base game.
• Punic Wars Expansion Pack #2 Expansion pack for the Punic Wars title adding 23 new scenarios to the base game.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years in business as a dedicated wargame publisher
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered former core, core and minor.

• John Tiller Softwareformer coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021John Tiller Software games were previously sold through HPS Simulations. As of August 1, 2021, HPS discontinued selling John Tiller games in both download and CD formats. Customers are redirected to johntillersoftware.com for purchases and support.
• Digital GameworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Gameworks creates games published by HPS Simulations. Games include 'An Laoch Ri' (Arthurian battles), 'DEFCON-2' (Cuban Missile Crisis), 'Monuments Men', 'Patriot Battles' (American Revolution), 'Vengeance' (Dark Ages to Renaissance), and 'Peleliu - The Devil's Island'.
• US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoint of Attack (POA) was partially developed in association with various branches of the United States military, particularly the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Military/official users can obtain free copies with valid .gov or .mil email addresses.
• ConsimWorldminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest wargaming discussion board hosts dedicated ADC2 discussion folder. HPS directs community members to this platform for game creation discussions and support.
• Army Command and General Staff CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Future Force game was specifically designed for the Army Command and General Staff College to help train military leaders in force management and resource allocation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Slitherine Group: Slitherine Group is the parent of Matrix Games and a broader strategy/wargame publisher (Field of Glory, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, Panzer Corps) with wider genre scope and modern platform distribution beyond HPS's direct-to-consumer niche.
• Bohemia Interactive Simulations: Bohemia Interactive Simulations produces VBS (Virtual Battlespace) for military training and the ARMA franchise, operating in the same tactical/military simulation space as HPS but at a much larger scale and with institutional/government contracts as the primary business.
• Paradox Interactive: Paradox Interactive is a major grand-strategy game publisher (Hearts of Iron, Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings) competing for the same historical strategy gamer audience but at vastly larger scale with mainstream platform distribution.
• Eagle Dynamics: Eagle Dynamics develops DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator), a high-fidelity military flight/combat simulation used by both hobbyists and defense training organizations. Comparable in physics-based realism and military-grade simulation fidelity to HPS's TSS/POA engines.

Direct peers

• John Tiller Software: John Tiller Software is the former publishing partner of HPS Simulations; as of August 2021, John Tiller self-publishes the tactical wargame catalog (Combat Actions, Last Stands, Unexplored Eras) that HPS previously sold. Direct overlap in titles, audience, and tactical hex-based design.
• Matrix Games: Matrix Games is a leading publisher of detailed strategy and tactical wargames (Field of Glory, Command Ops, Decisive Campaigns) competing in the same enthusiast PC wargame segment with similar premium pricing and historical depth.
• Battlefront.com: Battlefront.com publishes the Combat Mission series of 3D tactical wargames (WWII, Modern, Shock Force 2), targeting the same tactical-simulation hobbyist segment with a comparable premium-pricing, direct-to-consumer model.
• Wargame Design Studio: Wargame Design Studio is the successor entity supporting John Tiller wargames including HPS's former JLSSG line, offering tactical hex-based wargames in the same engine family and serving the same hard-core wargamer audience.
• Shrapnel Games: Shrapnel Games is an indie publisher of niche wargames and strategy titles (Norm Koger's Operational Art of War series, Decisive Battles), targeting the same hard-core wargamer hobbyist demographic via digital distribution.
• Digital Gameworks: Digital Gameworks is a development studio that creates games (An Laoch Ri, DEFCON-2, Monuments Men, Patriot Battles, Vengeance, Peleliu) published by HPS Simulations. Directly comparable as a co-developer producing tactical/strategy games for the same distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hps-simulations

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scott Hamilton