Why is the game now called Subgrids?

Apr-24-2025

Subgrids Team

Learn how the title Subgrids came about.

Subgrids wasn’t always called Subgrids. In fact, the road to this iconic name took 38 years and a lot of trial and error. From humble beginnings in 1979, this game has undergone several transformations before finally landing on its perfect title. This is the story of how Subgrids came to be, a tale of innovation, setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to crafting the perfect strategy game.

The Early Days: From Warzone to Wargrids

The story begins in 1979 when the first inklings of Subgrids started taking shape. By 1987, the idea was serious enough for the game to be considered a viable board game option. Enter an intellectual property attorney who, with a few words of advice, suggested naming the game Warzone. With that, the tagline "A Modern-Day Chess Game" was born, and the game quickly gained momentum.

As word spread, the game gained a nickname—WarzoneChess—but with popularity came complications. The die-cut game pieces started to fall apart after just a few sessions. Meanwhile, the Warzone name seemed to spark an explosion of other titles in the gaming industry, including Warzone Wrestling (seriously?) and even legal threats from the creators of Warhawk, who claimed the name was too similar to their own.

It became clear that the name and direction of the game needed to evolve.

A Fresh Start: Warzoom and the Power of Grids

In 2005, the name Warzoom emerged, keeping the word "war" while introducing a new tagline—A Game of Dynamic Strategy. It was an exciting step forward, but the game still had a problem: writer’s block. Something was still missing. The core of the game—its grid-based format—was something we had always loved, but we needed a name that captured that essence.

And then came the idea: Wargrids. By merging “war” with “grids,” we found a new identity that felt fresh, functional, and fitting. Plus, we added a periscope to the “i” in grids, a subtle but cool touch that played on the tactical, observant nature of the game. Wargrids had a great ring to it, but it wasn’t quite the perfect fit we were looking for.

The Breakthrough: Enter Subgrids

Then, one fateful night, while studying chess and rewatching submarine flicks, the breakthrough came. We asked ourselves: Who is the most powerful piece in chess? The answer was easy—the Queen. So, we thought: What’s our version of the Queen? The answer, too, was immediate: The Sub—our stealthy, strategic unit that could shift the tide of the game.

And just like that, the game finally found its name—Subgrids. It was the perfect fit. The "Sub" represented power, stealth, and strategy, while "grids" kept the tactical, chess-like element intact. Plus, the periscope still served as a subtle nod to our game’s origins, peeking out as a symbol of careful planning and observant strategy.

38 Years in the Making

It took 38 years, three name changes, countless prototypes, and several legal hurdles, but we finally arrived at the name that best encapsulated the essence of the game. Subgrids isn’t just a game—it’s a story of persistence, passion, and creativity. Every match you play is a reflection of this incredible journey.

The next time you outmaneuver an opponent or activate a game option like Project UFO, remember that you’re not just playing a game. You’re part of a legacy, one that’s been over three decades in the making.

So, Commander, your move.