SIMSOC at 30

The author describes what influenced the development of SIMSOC in the earliest years before the first edition was published by the Free Press in 1969. He notes how SIMSOC has been used for purposes different from his own in developing it, particularly as a component of adult leadership training programs. Today, the interdisciplinary subfield of gaming and simulation has become institutionalized. SIMSOC might still be well received if introduced today, but it undoubtedly received a boost by appearing at the high-water mark of interest and excitement about the use of game simulations in the social sciences.