For almost three decades, one series of games has been dedicated to a detailed study of the Second World War in the European and Mediterranean Theaters of Operations. This award-winning series, called Europa, covers this great struggle from the civil war in Spain to the final victory of the United Nations. The game series was introduced with the release of Drang Nach Osten, designed and produced by Frank Chadwick and Rich Banner. They formed a company called Game Designers' Workshop. From that first design in 1974 came the games that covered the rest of the European, Mediterranean, and African theaters. Drang Nach Osten was immediately accepted by military history enthusiasts and gamers. Each subsequent title built on that acceptance and created a cadre of people who play and participate in the series to this day. In 1985 a company was formed to support this game series. John Astell, the principle designer of the series, and Winston Hamilton, a developer and designer of WWII games, formed Game Research/Design, a company committed to the enhancement of Europa. They produced a set of accessories dedicated to the games. They also began a newsletter that became the magazine, Europa. In 1989 GDW transferred the copyrights and trademark of Europa to GR/D. Since then the company has brought out the Collector's Edition series of Europa games, and begun two new series based on the Europa system: Glory: Pacific Theater 1937-45™ and The Great War: World War I On All Fronts™. Upon Winston Hamilton's death in March, 2001, GR/D was purchased and became a part of Mill Creek Ventures, Inc. as GRD Games. In June 2004, GRD Games' assets and specific obligations were offered to Historical Military Services. HMS had worked with GRD Games for a number of years and brings additional resources to continue the series and commitment to Grand Europa.