The Avalon Hill Game Company released its first three games – Gettysburg, Tactics II, and Dispatcher — in 1958. A division of the Monarch Avalon Printing Company, Avalon Hill became a pioneer in a new type of gaming: strategy games based on historical events. Up to this point, strategy games had been more abstract in nature and popular games, although themed, relied more on luck and less on strategy. By deviating from these traditions, Avalon Hill created a new type of game that appealed to a new type of gamer. For over 25 years, Avalon Hill created dozens of historical wargames alongside thought–provoking strategy games. In 1998, Monarch Avalon decided to move out of the games business. Hasbro Games purchased the rights to the majority of Avalon Hill games. After a year and a half of research and design, Hasbro Games has started to bring back the Avalon Hill games line. Some games will be reissues of classic AH games but many will be new games to satisfy the Avalon Hill gamer.