View source for Car Wars

{{Short description|Tabletop combat simulation game}}
{{about|the Car Wars combat simulation game|TI-99/4A video game|Car Wars (video game)}}
{{Infobox RPG
|title    = Car Wars
| italic title = yes
|image    = carwars.jpg
|caption  = 1983 edition cover
|designer = Chad Irby<br>[[Steve Jackson (US game designer)|Steve Jackson]]
|publisher= [[Steve Jackson Games]]
|date     = 1980
|genre    = [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|Post-apocalyptic]]
|system   = Proprietary
|players=|footnotes= 
}}
'''''Car Wars''''' is a vehicle combat simulation game developed by [[Steve Jackson Games]], first published in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sjgames.com/ourgames/board.html|title=Board Games from Steve Jackson Games|website=www.sjgames.com|access-date=Jun 4, 2019}}</ref> Players control armed vehicles in a post-apocalyptic future.

==Game play==
In ''Car Wars'', players assume control of one or more cars or other powered vehicles, from [[motorcycle]]s to [[Semi-trailer truck|semi trucks]].<ref name="HG">{{Cite book | contribution=Car Wars | title=[[Hobby Games: The 100 Best]] | last=Tidball | first=Jeff | author-link=Jeff Tidball | editor-last=Lowder | editor-first=James | editor-link=James Lowder | publisher=[[Green Ronin Publishing]] | year=2007 | pages=49–51 | isbn=978-1-932442-96-0}}</ref> Optional rules include piloting [[helicopter]]s, [[ultralight]]s, [[Hot air balloon|balloon]]s, [[boat]]s, [[submarine]]s, and [[tank]]s. The vehicles are typically outfitted with [[weapon]]s (such as [[missile]]s and [[machine gun]]s), [[Wiktionary:souped-up|souped-up]] components (like heavy-duty fire-proof wheels, and [[nitrous|nitro injectors]]), and defensive elements ([[armor]] plating and [[radar]] tracking systems). Within any number of settings, the players then direct their vehicles in combat.

The published games use cardstock [[Counter (board wargames)|counters]] to represent vehicles in a simulated battle upon printed battlemaps. While the game rules allow for any scale, most editions of the game were published to use a 1-inch = 15-feet scale ([[List of scale model sizes|1:180 scale]]), although the Fifth Edition switched to 1-inch = 5-feet ([[List of scale model sizes|1:60 scale]]). At this larger scale, players can use miniature toy vehicles such as [[Hot Wheels]] or [[Matchbox (toy company)|Matchbox]] cars, [[S gauge]] [[model railroading]] scenery, or 28mm-30mm scale wargaming miniatures.

''Car Wars'' had many scenarios available and the system allowed players to make their own. Common scenarios include a harrowing gauntlet and competition in an arena to win a virtual cash prize with which to upgrade their cars. Many game sessions consist of players taking their cars through many successive arena-style scenarios, upgrading their cars between each round. At the height of the game's popularity, many [[gaming convention]]s and gaming clubs sponsored ''Car Wars'' tournaments where finalist players could win real world prizes.

''Car Wars'' uses standard dice to determine the outcomes of weapon fire, damage and vehicle control during the game. It is played in turns, each turn representing one second of real time. Each turn was initially divided into ten phases (first edition) then five (revised edition) and in the last edition three. All action in ''Car Wars'' is simultaneous. Players do not roll for initiative as is common in other combat games, instead each phase a vehicle moves a distance determined by the vehicle's speed. Players may fire weapons on any phase as long as they have line-of-sight with a target of their choosing. As part of movement players may attempt turns and other maneuvers of increasing difficulty. The more maneuvers one attempts in a turn and the more difficult they are, the more likely it is that a player's car will skid or crash. After all phases of movement and combat are resolved, a new turn begins. Typically, a game is over after a few turns, which represents a combat of a few seconds, but because every action in the game must be resolved a typical game takes a few hours to play.

While the core of the original ''Car Wars'' was a boardgame, the supplements allowed it to be extended into a larger game with light role-playing elements.<ref name="Livingstone">{{cite book |first=Ian |last=Livingstone |title=[[Dicing with Dragons: An Introduction to Role-playing Games]] |publisher=Routledge |year=1982 |page=110}}</ref> Other expansions such as rule-additions,<ref>{{cite journal |first=Dirck | last=de Lint |title=Tanks for the Memories |type=expansion |pages=56–61 |journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |issue= 117 |publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]] |date=January 1987 |issn=	0279-6848}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Allen |last=Varney |title=Lem Stucker's Dragon Farm and Wrestling Show |type=expansion |pages=84–87 |journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |issue= 204 |publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]] |date=April 1994 |issn=0279-6848}}</ref> mini-scenarios<ref>{{cite journal |first=Marcus |last=Rowland |title=Assignment:Freeway Deathride! |type=mini-scenario |pages=26–27 |journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] |issue= 41 |publisher=[[Games Workshop]] |date=May 1983}}</ref> and dual-statted products like ''[[Autoduel Champions]]'' (for use with ''Car Wars'' or ''[[Champions (role-playing game)|Champions]]'')<ref>{{cite journal |first=Marcus |last=Rowland |title=Open Box: Autoduel Champions and Car Wars GM Screen |type=Review |pages=11 |journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] |issue= 48 |publisher=[[Games Workshop]] |date=December 1983}}</ref> published in game magazines expanded the game even further.

==Publication history==
''Car Wars'' was first published in a small ziplock-bag format in 1980,<ref name="HG"/> and cited [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s short story, "[[Why Johnny Can't Speed]]", as a primary inspiration. (Later editions also cited [[Harlan Ellison]]'s short story "[[Along the Scenic Route]]" and the film ''[[Death Race 2000]]''.) The game won the [[Charles S. Roberts Award]] ([[Origins Award]]) for ''Best Science Fiction Boardgame of 1981''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1981/list-of-winners  |title=Charles S. Roberts Award Winners (1981) |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design |access-date=2008-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217212147/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1981/list-of-winners |archive-date=2008-02-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and was named to the ''[[Games (magazine)|Games]]'' magazine [[Games 100]] list in 1985.<ref>{{cite journal | title=The 1985 Games 100 | journal=[[Games (magazine)|Games]] |date=November 1985 | publisher=[[Playboy Enterprises, Inc.|Playboy Enterprises]]}}</ref>

As the game became more popular, there were a series of increasingly more expensive and elaborate editions.<ref name="HG"/>  ''Car Wars'' also served as the inspiration for the 1985 [[video game]] ''[[Autoduel]]'', published by [[Origin Systems]].<ref name="Savlov">{{cite news | last=Savlov | first=Mark | title=The Geek Behind the GURPS | work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] | date=2004-11-19 | access-date=2008-02-15 | url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=238575 }}</ref>
Steve Jackson continues to express an interest in developing video games based on the ''Car Wars'' concept.<ref name="Pitts">{{cite journal | last=Pitts | first=Russ | title=Steve Jackson: The Escapist Interview | journal=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_65/380-Steve-Jackson-The-Escapist-Interview.3 | date=2006-10-03 | access-date=2008-02-15 | archive-date=2008-10-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012112506/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_65/380-Steve-Jackson-The-Escapist-Interview.3 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

The game's popularity waned during the 1990s, and in response to slipping sales, Steve Jackson Games ceased support for ''Car Wars''. The last official ''Cars Wars'' material for the original game appeared in ''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' magazine (an article introducing High Torque Motors, by Robert Deis).<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/login/article.html?id=2211 | title=Uncle Albert's 2051 Catalog Supplement | last=Deis | first=Robert | journal=Pyramid (Online) | date=2001-04-27 | access-date=2008-02-15}}</ref>

Autoduel America, the setting for ''Car Wars'', was developed for [[role-playing game]]s (RPGs) using Steve Jackson Games' ''[[GURPS]]'' system (called ''[[GURPS Autoduel]]''). That ''GURPS'' worldbook has seen two editions. A series of expansions for both the ''GURPS'' version and boardgame, ''[[The AADA Road Atlas and Survival Guide]]'', were published in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 2002, Steve Jackson Games released an entirely new version of ''Car Wars''. Redesigned for a new audience, it was called version 5.0.<ref name="HG"/> The new game's unusual marketing, scattering the game across several redundant products, met with mixed responses and the game's popularity has continued to wane. The 2002 products are still in print.<ref>{{cite web | title = Car Wars Products in Print | publisher = Steve Jackson Games | url = http://www.sjgames.com/carwars/books/index.html | format = FAQ | access-date = 2008-02-15}}</ref>

In October 2009, Steve Jackson Games made the ''Car Wars Compendium: Second Edition (Fifth Printing)'' available as a PDF from the e23 online store.

''Car Wars'' (both boardgame and RPG version) was translated into French by [[Croc (game designer)|Croc]].

''[[Car Wars The Card Game|Car Wars: The Card Game]]'' was released in 1991 (with a second edition in 2001), designed by Creede and Sharleen Lambard, and published by Steve Jackson Games.

===Main editions===
The first four editions use a ground scale of 1-inch = 15-feet. ''Aeroduel'' introduced an air-to-air scale of ¼-inch = 15-feet. The ''Fifth Edition'' uses a revised scale of 3-inches = 15-feet.

;First edition
* ''Car Wars'' 1981–1984 (4" × 7" ziplock-bag or [[Pocket Box]])
** Cars, pickups, vans, and motorcycles. Turns have ten phases.
* ''[[Sunday Drivers (Car Wars)|Sunday Drivers]]''/''Crash City'' 1982 (Pocket Box)
** Added pedestrians, a small bus, and rules for buildings
* ''[[Truck Stop (Car Wars)|Truck Stop]]'' 1983 (Pocket Box)
** Added full-size buses and [[semi-trailer truck]]s
* ''[[Autoduel Champions]]'' 1983 (8½" × 11" book)
** Added helicopters, grasshoppers (flying cars), and superheroes (the last not canon for Car Wars)
** Introduced an alternative hex-based movement system–using 3-inch cars and 1-inch hexes–intended for use with role-playing games. This system was not used again in Car Wars, although the scale is the same as ''Car Wars: Fifth Edition''.
* ''[[Car Wars Reference Screen]]'' 1983 (3-panel 8½" × 11")
** Added "Advanced Collision System"
*''Car Wars Expansion Set #1'' (1983)
*''Car Wars Expansion Set #2'' (1983)
*''[[East Midville|Car Wars Expansion Set #3, East Midville]]'' (1983)
*''[[Armadillo Autoduel Arena|Car Wars Expansion Set #4, Armadillo Autoduel Arena]]'' (1983)
* ''[[The AADA Vehicle Guide]]'' 1983 (5½" × 8½" book)
** Added trikes (three-wheeled motorcycles) and off-road rules
*''[[Double Arena|Car Wars Expansion Set #5, Double Arena]]'' (1984)
*''[[Car Wars Expansion Set 6|Car Wars Expansion Set #6, The AADA Vehicle Guide Counters]]'' (1984)

;Second edition
* ''Car Wars Deluxe Edition'' 1985 (9" × 12" box)
** Combined and refined the various first edition rules, adding 10-wheeler [[truck]]s
** Note: Starting in 1990 the ''Deluxe Edition'' boxes contained the ''Car Wars Compendium: Second Edition'' rulebook rather than the original ''Deluxe Edition'' rulebook.
*''Car Wars Expansion Set #7, Off-Road Duelling'' (1985)
*''Car Wars Expansion Set #8, Chopper Challenge'' (1985)
* ''Dueltrack'' 1986 (9" × 12" box)
** Added gasoline engines, metal armor, race-cars, and ''Chassis & Crossbow'' (rules for the primitive early history of Car Wars)
*''[[Car Wars Expansion Set 9, Muskogee Fairground & Family Emporium]]'' (1986)
*''[[Car Wars Expansion Kit 10|Car Wars Expansion Set #10]]'' (1986)
* ''The AADA Vehicle Guide: Volume 2'' 1987 (5½" × 8½" book)
** Added sedans, and campers ([[sport utility vehicle|SUVs]])
* ''[[Combat Showcase]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Boat Wars]]'' 1988 ([[Pocket Box]]), 1990 (9" × 12" box)
** Added boats, amphibious cars, and hovercraft

;Third Edition
* ''[[The Car Wars Compendium]]'' 1989 (8½" × 11" book)
** Turns reduced to five phases.  Control Table revised.
** Compiled all the second edition rules (except race-cars) in one place
** Refined car movement, based more on the ''Turning Key'' than on a map grid

;Fourth Edition
* ''Car Wars Compendium: Second Edition'' 1990, 1996 (8½" × 11" book)
** Control Table revised again.
** Revised rules — including race-cars — with many updates and refinements. 
* ''Car Wars Tanks'' 1990 (9" × 12" box)
** Added wheeled military vehicles, tanks, and really big guns
* ''Aeroduel'' 1990 (9" × 12" box)
** Added fixed-wing planes and [[airship]]s with both civilian and military grade weapons
* ''Uncle Albert's Catalog From Hell'' 1992 (8½" × 11" book)
** Includes all previously published construction rules, weapons, and equipment, but the only play rules are minor updates to the CWC2E rules.

;Fifth Edition
* ''Car Wars'' 5.0 2002 (9 comic book sized pamphlets, containing the same rules with different car designs, any one of which is all that is required to play). 
** Back to just cars (pre-designed), with simplified play rules. Turns reduced to three phases.
** Scale change, with 1-inch = 5-feet instead of 15-feet
** No official construction rules published {{as of|2011|lc=yes}}, although a reverse-engineered unofficial version exists

The fourth edition has been re-released, and includes the auto creation rules and simplified rules for Role Playing.

;Sixth Edition
On November 29, 2019, a [[Kickstarter]] was started to create a sixth edition, similar to the popular OGRE kickstarter. It was funded as of January 6, 2020, with 3,936 backers pledging $652,995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Car Wars Sixth Edition by Steve Jackson Games |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sjgames/car-wars-sixth-edition-by-steve-jackson-games |website=Kickstarter |date=December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Background story==
''Car Wars'' is set 50 years after the publication dates of the various books. In this alternative future, natural resources are severely depleted and the United States government [[Nationalization|nationalized]] oil production.  This eventually led to a second American civil war, ending with the secession of the "Free Oil States", [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]].  Following famine in various parts of the world, there are limited nuclear exchanges between the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and the US, but anti-missile systems limit the resulting damage.  After these wars, there are years of worldwide economic crisis, and related global unrest, during which "death sports" become a popular form of entertainment.  This [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] setting has drawn comparisons between ''Car Wars'' and the ''[[Mad Max]]'' movies.<ref name="Gunn">{{cite book |last=Gunn |first=James E. |title=The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopediao00gunn |url-access=registration |publisher=Viking |year=1988 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopediao00gunn/page/194 194]|isbn=9780670810413 }}</ref><ref name="Schwab">{{cite book |last=Schwab |first=Brian |title=AI Game Engine Programming |publisher=Charles River Media |year=2004 |page=184}}</ref>

As things began to recover, the organized sport of "autodueling" was born as a form of armed [[demolition derby|demolition derbies]].  The American Autoduel Association (AADA) was formed, to sponsor sporting events and up-and-coming autoduelists.  In this future, technology has allowed for new vehicle designs, miniaturized weapon systems, and replacements for internal combustion engines.  Furthermore, human cloning (together with techniques for storing memories), has made death only a minor setback for autoduelists who can afford the procedure. ''Car Wars'' is a game designed for simulating these autoduels between competing players.

==Clubs and organizations==
The American Autoduel Association (AADA) was a worldwide group of players. It was started by Steve Jackson Games who supported the club with a quarterly magazine called ''Autoduel Quarterly''.<ref name="HG"/> This contained campaign ideas, vehicles, "mock" advertisements, and new weapons and accessories, as well as questions and answers. Subscribers would receive a bonus in the form of an extra cutout or cartoon on the protective mailing cover. Local clubs could also pay a yearly membership fee to be considered "official."

The AADA served as a structured clearinghouse for common rules and guidelines to be followed during 'official' events. World Championships were held each year at the [[Origins Game Fair]].

The AADA is no longer an official club as recognized by Steve Jackson Games. There are still several local clubs that claim to be AADA affiliated,<ref name="HG"/> and there are even [[web site]]s where interested parties can enjoy [[PBEM]] games. One site has a ''Car Wars'' [[podcast]].

The official ''Car Wars'' site notes plans to relaunch the AADA and start a new periodical called ''Autoduel Times''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Car Wars AADA - FAQ | publisher = Steve Jackson Games | url = http://www.sjgames.com/car-wars/aada/ | format = FAQ | access-date = 2008-02-15}}</ref> No date is given for this project.

==Supplements==
[https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Car_Wars_Series A full list of supplements is available on the Board Game Geek wiki]
* [[Hell on Wheels (supplement)|Hell on Wheels]]

===Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog===
[[File:Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog, role-playing supplement.jpg|thumb|upright|right]]
Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog is a supplement published by [[Steve Jackson Games]] in 1985 for the vehicle combat simulation game ''Car Wars''.

''Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog'' was the first of six ''Car Wars'' expansions published by Steve Jackson Games between 1985 and 1992.<ref>{{cite web  | url =https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/13330/uncle-alberts-auto-stop-gunnery-shop-2035-catalog  | title =Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog   | website =Board Game Geek  | publisher =RPG Geek  | access-date =2020-01-15}}</ref> Each supplement featured new cars and armament compiled from past issues of ''[[Autoduel Quarterly]]''. This book is written in the style of a catalog that includes over 120 items, complete with prices, sizes, descriptions, and everything else needed to use these items during a game of ''Car Wars''.<ref name="SG"/>

Craig Sheeley reviewed ''Uncle Albert's Auto Stop & Gunnery Shop 2035 Catalog'' in ''[[The Space Gamer]]'' No. 76.<ref name="SG">{{cite journal|last=Sheeley |first=Craig |date=Sep–Oct 1985 |title=Capsule Reviews|journal=[[Space Gamer]]|publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]]|issue=76|pages=42}}</ref> Sheeley commented that "Some of us like complexity. Some of us like to build our own vehicles, and outfit them with dozens of options. Some of us like the monster that ''Car Wars'' has become [...] If you are one of these ''Car Wars'' players, this supplement will prove to be invaluable, as it is an almost complete listing of the options in ''Car Wars''."<ref name="SG"/>

Mike Eckenfels recalled this supplement with fondness, saying, "If the 'basic' Car Wars rules just didn't have enough creative ways to destroy, maim, and otherwise disassemble, the ''Uncle Albert'' catalogs certainly helped pad those needs, and then some [...] There's a lot of ''Car Wars'' goodness in the pages of this one catalog, alone, to really get you going." Eckenfels noted that "Some accessories actually have in-game use while others have more of an RPG element to it (or are just nice to have to brag about around the table, because apparently wasting pretend money in a fictional game on things that don't actually have a practical use in-game are... bragable, I guess)." He concluded, "this was a nice little addition to the Car Wars universe back in the day."<ref>{{cite web | url =http://grogheads.com/featured-posts/13766 | title =Car Wars – A Trip Down The Memory Fast Lane, Part 8 | last =Eckenfels | first =Michael | date =2017-02-03 | website =Grogheads | publisher = Grogheads LLC | access-date =2020-01-15}}</ref>

==Other products==
In addition to the spin-off video game, ''[[Autoduel]]'', [[Marvel Comics]] published ''[[Car Warriors (comics)|Car Warriors]]'', a 1991 four-issue comic book miniseries set in the ''Car Wars'' world.

There were also a series of six gamebooks based in the ''Car Wars'' universe, where a player could make choices for the protagonist to affect the outcome of the story.  The Car Wars Adventure Gamebooks were titled: ''Battle Road'', ''Fuel's Gold'', ''Dueltrack'', ''Badlands Run'', ''Green Circle Blues'', and ''Mean Streets''.

A trilogy of novels was published by [[Tor Books]]: ''The Square Deal'' by [[David Drake]] in 1992, ''Double Jeopardy: Car Warriors 2'' by Aaron Alston in 1994, and ''Back from Hell'' by [[Mick Farren]] in 1999.

In 1995 VictorMaxx technologies announced plans for a series of [[Amusement arcade|gaming centers]] based on ''Car Wars'', with a prototype site to debut in Chicago in 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tidbits... |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=78|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=January 1996|page=19}}</ref>

==Reception==
In Issue 36 of ''[[Phoenix (wargaming magazine)|Phoenix]]'' (March–April 1982), John Lambshead reviewed the first edition of ''Car Wars'' and thought it was "quite decently presented." However, Lambshead found the simultaneous move system "excruciatingly tedious", and the combat system complex. He wondered who the audience for this game was, since it was too complex to be a "fun" game, but "On the other hand, who wants to expend so much effort simply to drive an armoured beach buggy around." He concluded that "a combination of intelligence and immaturity is required for a full appreciation of ''Car Wars''."<ref name=phoenix36>{{cite magazine|last=Lambshead|first=John| date=March–April 1980 |title= The North Circular was never like this|magazine=[[Phoenix (wargaming magazine)|Phoenix]]| issue=36|pages=23}}</ref>

In Issue 22 of ''[[Abyss (magazine)|Abyss]]'', [[Dave Nalle]] noted "The vehicle design system is excellent, lots of fun, with a large number of possible variations and options for person taste, so that a good original strategy can be developed." However, Nalle felt there were issues with the time and combat systems, saying, "Any game that takes over an hour to resolve a minute of game time has problems." Nalle concluded, "''Car Wars'' has the ideas and overall structure to be a great game, but as the movement rules stand, it is a drag to play, with playability assassinated in the name of a warped concept of realism."<ref name=abyss>{{cite magazine|last= Nalle|first=Dave| date=January 1983  |title=In the Speculum  |magazine=Abyss| issue=22 |pages=3–4 }}</ref>

In Issue 18 of the French games magazine ''[[Casus Belli (magazine)|Casus Belli]]'', Martin Latallo noted, ""Despite its very wargame-like appearance (small counters, but not ugly at all; and cards but no [[hex grid]]), ''Car Wars'' also includes elements borrowed from role-playing games, the main one being character creation." After a lengthy examination of the game mechanics, Latallo concluded, "So, ready for the infernal ride?"<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine | last =Latallo| first =Martin| title =Car Wars | magazine = [[Casus Belli (magazine)|Casus Belli]] | issue =18| pages =18–20| date =1983 | language =fr }}</ref>

In the June 1983 issue of ''[[Analog Science Fiction]]'', [[Dana Lombardy]] wrote, "''Car Wars'' is for people who enjoy those movies of armed car- and cycle-gangs fighting for what little is left of Earth in the future."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lombard|first=Dana |author-link=Dana  Lombardy |date=  June 1983|title=On Gaming|magazine=[[Analog Science Fiction]] |volume=103 |number =06 |pages=77}}</ref> Three years later, writing for ''[[Asimov's Science Fiction]]'', Lombardy reviewed the upgraded "Deluxe Edition" and commented "Gamers who already play ''Car Wars'' will find the new rulebook speeds up play considerably. The sturdier road sections also make the Deluxe Edition worthy of consideration even if you own the original version." Lombardy concluded, "If you've never played the ''Car Wars'', but the idea of blowing away cardboard road hogs appeals to you, the Deluxe Edition is highly recommended."<ref name=asf>{{cite magazine|last=Lombardy | first=Dana |author-link = Dana Lombardy| date=January 1986|title=Gaming|magazine=[[Asimov's Science Fiction]]| volume= 10| number=1|pages= 20–22}}</ref>  

The editors of ''[[Games (magazine)|Games]]'' included ''Car Wars'' in their "Top 100 Games of 1983", saying, "If you liked the film ''[[The Road Warrior]]'', or if you live in Los Angeles, this may be your game. Cars with various speeds, weapons capabilities, and abilities to maneuver whiz about the highways of the future, turning flamethrowers on passing cars and dropping tire spikers in front of tailgaters."<ref name="games">{{cite magazine|editor-last= Schmittberger |editor-first= R. Wayne| date=November 1983 |title=Gameplay|magazine=[[Games (magazine)|Games]]| issue=45|pages=45}}</ref>

The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' described the game as "vicious combat takes place on the highways and waters of a future that is not a kinder, gentler America".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91801202/chicago-tribune/|title=Clipped from Chicago Tribune|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=24 November 1989|page=156}}</ref>

In Issue 39 of the French games magazine ''[[Backstab (magazine)|Backstab]]'', the game designer [[Croc (game designer)|Croc]] reviewed the fourth edition of the game and commented, "It's a lot of fun. Movement management is more flexible, and the game speed gives a great sense of urgency, something the original game lacked. Realism isn't neglected, with combat rules very similar to the older ones and a brand-new, very playful fire rule." Croc concluded, "A very good product: a must-buy."<ref name="bs">{{cite magazine|last=Croc| date=2002|title=Critiques|magazine=Backstab|issue=39| pages=90| language=fr}}</ref>

In a retrospective review of ''Car Wars'' in ''[[Black Gate (magazine)|Black Gate]]'', Ty Johnston said "If you ever wanted to take part in the fast-driving, hard-hitting action of the ''Mad Max'' universe where guns and cars ruled the roads, and the plains and the deserts and the ... etc., then you would do well to buckle in and pick up one of the versions of ''Car Wars'' which has been made available over the years."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blackgate.com/2021/03/06/start-your-engines-for-car-wars/ | title=Start Your Engines… for Car Wars – Black Gate | date=6 March 2021 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Alan Dean Foster]], the author of "Why Johnny Can't Speed", originally published in ''[[Galaxy Science Fiction]]'' in 1971.  The short story is the primary inspiration for Car Wars.
* ''Autoduel'' (1985) - A video game inspired by ''Car Wars''
* ''[[Battlecars]]'' (1983) – A [[Games Workshop]], ''Mad Max''–inspired road combat game using 1:60 scale miniature cars
** ''[[Dark Future]]'' (1988) – A revised and expanded version of ''Battlecars'', also by Games Workshop
* [[Harlan Ellison]], the author of "Along the Scenic Route", AKA "Dogfight on 101", another short story about car dueling
* ''[[Freeway Fighter]]'' (1985) - A [[Fighting Fantasy]] game book set in a ''Car Wars''-style dystopia
* ''[[Gaslands]]'' (2017) - Tabletop game by [[Osprey Publishing|Osprey publishing]]
* ''[[Interstate '76]]'' (1997) - A later video game inspired by ''Car Wars''
* ''[[Mad Max (film)|Mad Max]]'' (1979) and ''[[Mad Max 2|The Road Warrior]]'' (1981) – Although commonly assumed to be an inspiration for Car Wars, its American release postdates the release of the game. Both draw from similar inspirations, and many ''Car Wars'' supplements would have been written by authors familiar with ''Mad Max''.
* ''[[Streets of SimCity]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.sjgames.com/carwars/ The official ''Car Wars'' site]
*[http://forums.sjgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23 Steve Jackson Games ''Car Wars'' Forum]
*{{bgg par
|section1=game|id1=2795|name1=''Car Wars''
|section2=game|id2=3183|name2=''Car Wars 5th Edition''
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*[http://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Car_Wars_Series Listing of all ''Car Wars'' products]
*{{Cite news| issue = April 1999| last = Orpheus| first = Rodney| title = Car Wars – Death Rally| work = Pyramid Magazine| access-date = 2009-11-26| year = 1999| url = http://rodneyorpheus.com/?page_id=17}}

[[Category:Car Wars| ]]
[[Category:Board games introduced in 1980]]
[[Category:Origins Award winners]]
[[Category:Science fiction board games]]
[[Category:Steve Jackson (American game designer) games]]
[[Category:Steve Jackson Games games]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic games]]
[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]