Seven designers. One hobby. Countless hours of joy.

Every wargamer has that conversation.
You know the one.

“If you had to pick a Mount Rushmore of wargame designers… who makes the cut?”

This is my answer. Not a definitive list. Not a historical ranking. Not based on sales numbers, awards, or internet arguments. My only criteria is simple:

How much joy these designers have brought me over my wargaming journey.

That’s it. That’s the list.

And just like Mount Rushmore, I’m not carving this into stone for everyone—just for me.

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The Peak of the Pyramid: Don Greenwood

If this Mount Rushmore were actually a pyramid, Don Greenwood would be sitting right at the top.

Full stop.

He’s designed some of my all-time favorite games, including Advanced Squad Leader, which needs no explanation if you’ve ever pushed a counter in anger. ASL is a lifestyle, not a game.

Mr. Greenwood also brought us area movement games using the newer impulse dynamic, which completely changed how operational wargames feel on the table.

Two of my favorite gaming approaches.
Two styles I still play to this day.

If joy were measured in hours at the table, Greenwood would be off the charts for me.

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The Next Tier: Herman Luttmann & Michael Simonitch

Right below Greenwood—carved side by side—are Herman Luttmann and Michael Simonitch.

Mr. Luttmann’s résumé is stacked. Titles like A Most Fearful Sacrifice, Vive L’Empereur, and so many entries in the Blind Swords and Black Swan series have earned a permanent place on my shelves—and more importantly, on my table.

His designs hit that sweet spot where history, narrative, and playability come together. They teach while they entertain, and they always feel like they respect the player’s time.

Standing right next to him is Michael Simonitch, because honestly, separating these two felt wrong.

Simonitch’s 40-series games are some of my most played titles, period. They’re clean, approachable, and endlessly replayable. When I want to sit down, learn quickly, and still feel like I’m making meaningful decisions, his games almost always fit the bill.

If Greenwood built the mountain, Simonitch helped carve it into something playable.

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The Foundation: Butterfield, Rinella, and Smith

Every pyramid needs a strong base, and mine is rock solid.

John Butterfield absolutely anchors this list. Games like RAF, Enemy Action: Kharkov, and the WWII Commander series are personal favorites.

Butterfield’s designs often feel like puzzles disguised as wargames, and I mean that as a compliment. His solo systems are clever without being fussy, challenging without being exhausting. Every time I play one of his games, I come away impressed by how much thought went into the experience.

Michael Rinella earns his spot because his games live on my table. His solo area-movement series seems to always be in rotation. They’re approachable, engaging, and perfect for those stretches when I want to get a game going without a lot of overhead.

If table time counts for anything—and it does—Rinella belongs here.

Last, but absolutely not least, is Gregory Smith.

I’ve probably played Western Front Ace more than any other game I own over the past two years. And that alone would earn him a place on this list. Add in Hunters, Imperial Tide, and the rest of the Ace and Tide series, and it’s clear the man is on a serious roll.

Fast-playing, immersive, and dangerously replayable—Smith’s designs keep pulling me back for “just one more mission.”

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The Maestro Stands Alone: Mark Herman

You might be scrolling back through the list thinking, “Wait… how did he miss Mark Herman?” Trust me—I didn’t. I didn’t leave him out; I put him in his own category. Mark Herman is a true legend in this hobby and will always exist on a completely different tier for me. Titles like Empire of the Sun, For the People, Churchill, Fire in the Lake, Great Battles of Julius Caesar, Gulf Strike, Mech War, The Pacific War, The Peloponnesian War, Rebel Fury, Washington’s War, SPQR—and that’s still just scratching the surface.

To make it even more surreal, Mark has offered to teach me Empire of the Sun. I have to admit—I’m equal parts honored and intimidated. Sitting across the table from someone like that feels a little like being handed the keys to a Stradivarius and being told, “Go ahead, play.” He’s a genius, and the last thing I’d ever want to do is waste his time. Mark Herman isn’t just a designer—he’s a pure wargaming genius, the Virtuoso, the Maestro, and the composer whose music we’re all still learning to play.

Final Thoughts

This is my Wargame Designer Mount Rushmore.

It’s not about who’s the most famous or who sold the most copies. It’s about the designers whose games have kept me engaged, challenged, and smiling over the years. The ones that made me say, “Okay… one more turn.”

And if your list looks different?
Good. That means the hobby is healthy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some cardboard to push.