Links
There are hundreds if not thousands of websites dedicated to different aspects of the gaming hobby and profession, but these are the ones I find myself going to time and time again. It is no way all inclusive!
In the case of the professional gamers and designers, these are folks I've had the priviledge to meet and work with over the years.
And similar to my book recommendations, I don't receive any compensation for directing you to these sites!
Professional War Gaming News and Events
All the services have war gaming organizations; however, if you want to find up-to-date news about war gaming outside of military channels, PAXsims, run by Dr. Rex Brynen at McGill University, is your best bet.
Georgetown University Wargame Society (GUWS) sponsors frequent online lectures from experts in the field of war gaming presenting on a variety of topics. You can check out upcoming lectures, register, and explore other war gaming resources at GUWS here.
CONNECTIONS and SERIOUS PLAY Conferences
The big gaming conventions like PAX, GENCON, COMICON, HISTORICON, DRAGONCON are fairly well known. Perhaps lesser known are the conferences centered on the professional use of games in government, military, business, and education. Here are links to the CONNECTIONS series and SERIOUS PLAY conferences.
CONNECTIONS US
CONNECTIONS UK
CONNECTIONS NL
CONNECTIONS North
CONNECTIONS Oz
CONNECTIONS Online
SERIOUS GAMES FR
SERIOUS PLAY US
Commercial Game Reviews and Research
These are the sites I turn to for game news, reviews, and play-throughs. I typically won't purchase a new game until I've checked it out on these sites.
SU&SD
Shut Up & Sit Down is is my go-to site for all things game related.
Dice Tower
After SU&SD, the Dice Tower is my next stop for gaming info.
Watch It Played
Learn to play your new game before inviting friends over!
BoardGameGeek
A huge database of games, rules, reviews, designers, and more.
Designers and Educators
These folks are creating innovative professional war games, as well as commercial, educational and recreational board, card, and role playing-games.
Soaring Rhino
Craig Van Ness and his brother's boardgaming company.
Yanaguana Games
Marshall Britt turned his gaming hobby into a company.
Foundry 10
Lisa Castenada is breaking ground innovating education.
Junior General
Matt Fritz provides dozens of historic simulations for the classroom.
Stone Paper Scissors
Jim Wallman creates games for government, corporate, recreational audiences.
Mapsymbs
Tom Mouat is the master of the matrix style game.
Event Horizons
J. Peter Scoblic applies war gaming practices for businesses.
Stephen Baker Designs
Perhaps best known for HeroScape and HeroQuest while at MB/Hasbro; now an independent designer.
Game Design Resources
Gamecrafter
LITKO
In the past it was difficult for independent designers to break into a game market dominated by a few large toy and game companies. Resources are now available that make it far easier for individuals and smaller companies to economically design, develop, and market their games to the wider gaming community.