Lock 'n Load Publishing

Lock 'n Load Publishing is an independent game developer and publisher based in Colorado, United States. The company specializes in strategy games and wargames, with a catalog spanning tabletop board games, digital computer games, role-playing and science-fiction properties, fiction, audiobooks, magazines, and products intended for virtual tabletop play. The company's roots lie in the Lock 'n Load Tactical system. The first game in that line, Forgotten Heroes, was published by Shrapnel Games in 2003 and reportedly sold out during its first year. An expansion, ANZAC Attack, followed. The subsequent title Band of Heroes was published through Matrix Games and received the Historical Game of the Year award at the 2005 Origins Awards. These early successes established the Lock 'n Load name among historical tabletop wargamers before the creation of the publishing company itself. Game designer Mark Walker founded Lock 'n Load Publishing in 2006. The company initially developed a relatively small group of products, but expanded over time into a catalog reported to contain more than fifty offerings. Its principal lines include Lock 'n Load Tactical, Nations at War, World at War, Corps Command, Tank on Tank, Command Ops 2, and the World at War 85 setting. The portfolio focuses heavily on military history and conflict simulation, while also extending into alternate-history, science-fiction, and horror themes through properties such as All Things Zombie, Space Infantry, and Nuklear Winter '68. A significant ownership and management transition took place in July 2014, when David Heath became the company's principal owner and business manager. Heath had previously founded or led Matrix Games, The Wargamer, and The Gamer's Network. Under his leadership, Lock 'n Load Publishing broadened its development team and diversified its publishing program. In addition to new tabletop games and expansions, the company introduced starter kits, companion books, virtual-play support, paperback fiction, and audiobook editions. Its games were made available through platforms such as Vassal and Tabletop Simulator, helping players access digital or assisted versions of tabletop systems without necessarily purchasing the physical game first. The company also expanded into computer games. By April 2020, it had released digital versions of selected Tank on Tank, Nations at War, and Lock 'n Load Tactical products for Windows, Mac, and iPad. Other digital projects included Victory and Glory: The American Civil War, released for Windows PC in 2020, and development work on a digital World at War 85 series. Alongside games, the company published Line of Fire magazine and fiction connected with settings such as Space Infantry and World at War. Lock 'n Load Publishing's positioning is centered on specialist, conflict-focused gaming for hobbyists who value tactical detail, historical settings, replayability, and continuity across related game systems. Its business combines original development, publishing, adaptations between tabletop and digital formats, and supporting media. Publicly available reference material identifies the company as active, but does not provide reliable information about revenue, employee count, current corporate structure beyond David Heath's ownership role, or a current official website URL.

Lock 'n Load Publishing developed from a series of successful historical wargames associated with the Lock 'n Load Tactical system. In 2003, Shrapnel Games published Forgotten Heroes, the first Lock 'n Load Tactical board game. The title reportedly sold out during its first year, and ANZAC Attack followed as an expansion. Band of Heroes, the next major title, was published through Matrix Games and won Historical Game of the Year at the 2005 Origins Awards. Mark Walker founded Lock 'n Load Publishing in 2006. The company began with a small number of games and gradually developed into a broader publisher with a catalog reported at more than fifty products. Its central business remained tabletop strategy and wargaming, but its product families expanded to include Nations at War, World at War, Corps Command, Tank on Tank, Command Ops 2, and later World at War 85. The company also moved beyond strictly historical subjects, publishing or developing science-fiction and horror properties including Space Infantry, All Things Zombie, and Nuklear Winter '68. In July 2014, David Heath became Lock 'n Load Publishing's principal owner and business manager. Heath had previously been associated with Matrix Games, The Wargamer, and The Gamer's Network. The change was followed by an expansion of the design and development team and a broadening of the company's publishing activities. Lock 'n Load introduced starter kits intended to reduce the barrier to entry for new players, streamlined established series, and provided virtual-play options through Vassal and Tabletop Simulator. Companion books also supported playing some systems in a virtual environment. The company diversified into narrative and supporting media, including paperback stories and audiobook editions. Its published fiction included works connected with Space Infantry and World at War, while Line of Fire served as a company magazine in PDF format. This combination of games, fiction, magazines, and digital aids gave the publisher a wider ecosystem around its settings and rules systems. Digital distribution became increasingly important in the late 2010s and early 2020s. By April 2020, Lock 'n Load Publishing had released computer versions of Tank on Tank, Nations at War, and Lock 'n Load Tactical for Windows, Mac, and iPad. Victory and Glory: The American Civil War was also released for Windows PC in 2020. A digital World at War 85 series was identified as being in development. The available reference material does not establish a later ownership change, a public listing, revenue figures, or a confirmed current corporate headquarters address beyond Colorado.

• 2020

  Digital publishing expands

  [1]Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  The company releases digital game versions across Windows, Mac, and iPad, including products based on Tank on Tank, Nations at War, and Lock 'n Load Tactical.

• 2014

  David Heath takes ownership and management role

  [1]Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  David Heath becomes the publisher's principal owner and business manager, beginning an expansion of its development and product programs.

• 2006

  Lock 'n Load Publishing is founded

  [1]Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Game designer Mark Walker establishes Lock 'n Load Publishing.

• 2005

  Band of Heroes wins an Origins award

  [1]Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Band of Heroes receives the Historical Game of the Year award at the Origins Awards.

• 2003

  Forgotten Heroes launches

  [1]Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Shrapnel Games publishes Forgotten Heroes, the first Lock 'n Load Tactical board game; the title reportedly sells out within its first year.

A specialist wargame and strategy publisher serving tabletop and digital gaming enthusiasts with tactical historical simulations, conflict-centered settings, and related science-fiction, horror, fiction, and virtual-play products.

• Historical tabletop wargame and digital game series · 2003

  Lock 'n Load Tactical

  The company's principal tactical combat system, rooted in the 2003 game Forgotten Heroes. The line uses scenario-based play and conflict-focused themes, with expansions and related titles such as ANZAC Attack, Band of Heroes, Heroes of the Gap, and planned or released scenario products. Digital editions later extended the system to Windows, Mac, and iPad.

• Historical wargame and digital game series

  Nations at War

  A conflict-centered strategy line published in tabletop and digital forms. Its digital edition was among the company's releases for Windows, Mac, and iPad by 2020.

• Historical and modern-conflict wargame series

  World at War

  A major Lock 'n Load publishing line focused on large-scale military conflict. The related World at War 85 setting received tabletop development and was identified as being in development for digital release.

• Tactical board game and digital game series

  Tank on Tank

  A tank-combat strategy line offered in tabletop and digital formats. Its computer edition was part of the publisher's cross-platform releases available by 2020.

• Science-fiction game and fiction setting

  Space Infantry

  A science-fiction property that expanded the company's catalog beyond historical conflict. It was also supported by related paperback and audiobook material, including Space Infantry: Outpost 13.

• Horror tabletop game line

  All Things Zombie

  A horror-oriented game property demonstrating the publisher's move into fictional and post-apocalyptic themes alongside its historical wargames.

• Science-fiction and alternate-history game

  Nuklear Winter '68

  A fictional conflict setting within the company's science-fiction and horror-adjacent portfolio.

• Gaming magazine

  Line of Fire

  A company magazine published in PDF issues and used to support the publisher's games and broader hobby community.

• 2020

  Release tabletop game adaptations for digital platformsProduct launch

  Background

  The publisher had established several tabletop systems and sought to make them available to computer and tablet players.

  Action taken

  Digital editions of Tank on Tank, Nations at War, and Lock 'n Load Tactical were released for Windows, Mac, and iPad; Victory and Glory: The American Civil War was released for Windows PC.

  Aftermath

  The company extended its tabletop properties into digital distribution and continued development of a World at War 85 digital series.

  Source

• 2014

  Expand the publishing and development programStrategy

  Background

  After David Heath became principal owner and business manager, the company sought to broaden its design team and move beyond a relatively narrow tabletop catalog.

  Action taken

  Lock 'n Load expanded its game lines, introduced starter kits and companion books, supported virtual play, and added fiction, audiobooks, and science-fiction products.

  Aftermath

  The publisher developed a wider product ecosystem spanning physical games, digital tools, fiction, and additional genres.

  Source

1. 1Lock 'n Load Publishingen.wikipedia.org