Wargaming

This article is about the military exercise and civilian hobby. For the 1983 Matthew Broderick movie, see WarGames .

Wargaming can be one of a number of ways of exploring the effects of warfare without actual combat. It can take the form of a hobby in which one or more players simulate battles or entire wars (as a type of simulation game), or a model or computer simulation of possible scenarios in military planning, (this is also called warfare simulation, see also defense contractors); or the full-scale rehearsal of military maneuvers as practice for warfare. In this case, the two sides in the simulated battle are typically called blue and red , to avoid naming a particular adversary.

= History of wargaming =

Modern wargaming grew out of the military need to study warfare and to reenact old battles for learning purposes. The stunning Prussia victory over the France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) is sometimes partly credited to the training of Prussian officers with the Kriegspiel. The first specific non-military wargame club was started in Oxford, England in the 19th century.

H.G. Wells book Little Wars was an attempt to codify rules for fighting battles with toy soldiers (miniatures), and make them available to the general public. The first modern mass-market wargame, based on cardboard chits (counters) and hex-board maps, was invented by Charles S. Roberts in 1952 called Tactics (game); he went on to found the Avalon Hill game company, and is called The father of board wargaming .

Wargames have existed for centuries — chess is an ancient example. In fact, one could make a case that all competitive zero-sum games may be considered wargames. Wargames, like all games, exist in a range of complexities: some are fundamentally simple (so-called beer-and-pretzel games), while others (generally in an attempt to increase the realism of the situation) produce rule sets that may encompass a large variety of actions (so-called monster games).

Wargames vary in the level of complexity of rules and record keeping they require. Detailed wargame rulesets (some of which require hundreds of pages of small print and intensive recordkeeping) generally result in a slow (and for many, less enjoyable) game. Simpler beer and pretzels rulesets, on the other hand, produce fun games and encourage tournament or competitive play, but may not accurately depict events that historically took place in a conflict.

= Tabletop wargaming (miniature wargaming) =

Miniature wargaming typically involves the use of miniature figure plastic or metal models for the units and model scenery placed on a tabletop or floor as a playing surface. Games with miniatures are sometimes called Tabletop_game, tabletop wargames, Miniature wargaming, or simply wargames.

= Board wargaming =

A typical non-computerized wargame (Kriegspiel) consists of the following components:

Map : The map (or maps) shows the terrain over which the battle/war is fought, usually overlaid by hexgrids to regulate movement. Other variations include the point to point map where areas are connected by lines to show possible movements, and the area map (similar to Risk (game) or Axis and Allies).

Counters : These are usually small cardboard squares moved around on the map that represent army, military units or soldier, as well as markers to show the current status that these units might be in. Alternatively, wooden blocks are sometimes used instead. By standing them on one side they can limit the enemy knowlege of friendly units and can be rotated to a different side to show changes in relative strength.

may be considered too abstract to represent real war.

Rules : Rules vary in complexity and depth from 1 page for some games to 190 pages for others.

A non-computerized wargame may include some or all of the following components:

Markers : These are used to give information to the players on the condition of the game at various points in time or space. Usually, markers are used on the map or in combination with various tracks (events, time, points of some sort). These tracks may be included on the map or provided on separate sheets.

Cards : More games are designed to be card-driven. This means that the cards have events outside the area of the map or random die-rolls which can be used to benefit one player or disadvantage another. These cards are sometimes also used to generate random number draws instead of or in combination with die rolls.

Playbook : More and more games use playbooks where the designer has the scenarios listed separately as well as design and historical notes.

= Computerized wargaming =

Computer wargames display the units and scenery on the monitor screen.

Computerized wargames have several distinct advantages over paper and pencil wargames:

no need to roll dice over and over again (The computer does the simulation)

no recordkeeping (the computer handles all the paperwork )

ability to start, stop and save the game at any time (if there is no need to coordinate with a human opponent; note that this is also possible with board games, as long as no children or animals have access to the game area)

no need to paint miniatures

easy to find opponents on the Internet

Disadvantages of computerized wargames:

computer may not be as competent as a human opponent (this problem can generally be avoided if there is a multiplayer mode)

lack of human interaction (of course, the computer won t tip over the board if it is losing)

computer arbitration allows more complex rules, which can be more difficult to understand and analyze; especially since these rules may be hidden from the player(s) in the Software code

ability to view only a part of the battlefield in detail at a time (see Fog of war)

player(s) can t easily modify the rules or adapt them to similar situations

loss of the tactile satisfaction in moving finely painted figures about the tabletop

Computer-assisted wargaming attempts to combine the advantages of computerized wargaming with those of paper-and-pencil wargaming. Computers are used for recordkeeping and sometimes for the resolution of combat, but a human referee makes any decisions requiring judgement. Computer-assisted wargaming is sometimes abbreviated as CAG, which stands for computer-assisted gaming.

Traditional wargaming differs from so-called real-time strategy computer games in that traditional wargames are generally turn-based (an obvious exception being in-the-field wargaming by military organizations). Traditional wargames focus on the ability to analyze in-depth, plan to achieve a goal, and adjust plans to changing circumstances. Real-time strategy games (which might better be called vastly-speeded-up-time strategy games) focus more on reflexes, coordination, and the ability to make snap decisions with limited information. Also, real-time strategy games require less sophisticated artificial intelligence on the part of computer players.

Computer wargames are often played against human opponents via e-mail (by exchanging save-game files) to provide the human interaction and a more interesting opponent than that of the program. This has the disadvantage of taking much longer to finish the game, depending upon how often the players check their e-mail. It is still much quicker (and easier) than the older method of playing board wargames by postal mail. A faster alternative (not available with all games) is playing over a direct connection, either local area network, Modem or Internet.

= Types of military wargaming =

Wargame simulations can usually be categorized according to the type of technology available to the armies involved, the branch(es) of the military, the period of military history, and the unit size or map scale.

==Environment==

land battles

sea battles

air battles

combinations of land, sea, and/or air battles

space battles

==Historical period==

All periods of history have their wargaming enthusiasts. Historical games are generally by these periods:

Ancient history (Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, etc.)

Middle Ages (no gunpowder)

Early gunpowder

Napoleonic Era

Early modern war (American Civil War)

World War I

World War II

Modern war (Korean War, Vietnam War, etc.)

Wargames can also be used to simulate fictional situations:

Hypothetical (World War III)

Alternate history (fantasy or science-fiction what if worlds, such as SteamPunk, Gothic Horror, and fantasy Napoleonic)

Futuristic / Science Fiction war (including space marines, spaceships and energy-weapons etc.)

Fantasy war (including Elf, Dwarves, Goblins etc.)

==Unit or map scale==

Grand strategy — focus is on a war or series of wars, often over a long period of time. Individual units, even armies, may not be represented; instead, attention is given to theaters of operation. All of the resources of the nations involved may be mobilized as part of a long-term struggle. The simulation typically involves political and economic as well as military conflict.

Strategic — military units are typically Division (military), corps, or army-sized, and they are rated based upon raw strength. At this scale, Economics production and diplomacy are significant. The simulation typically involves all branches, and often the entire forces of the nations involved, and covers entire wars or long campaigns

Operational — units are typically battalion to division (military)al size, and are rated based on their average overall strengths and weaknesses. Weather and logistics are significant. The simulation typically focuses on one branch of the military forces, with others somewhat abstracted, and usually covers a single campaign.

Tactical — units range from individual vehicles and squads to platoons or company (military unit), and are rated based on types and ranges of individual weaponry. The simulation almost always focuses on a single branch, occasionally with others abstracted, and usually covers a single battle or part of a large battle.

Skirmish — units represent individual soldiers, with possible tracking of wounds and Ammunition. The simulation usually covers a small firefight. Role-playing game can be considered skirmish wargames.

= Notable wargamers =

H.G. Wells - Known as the Father of miniature wargaming

Charles S. Roberts - Known as the Father of modern board wargaming , founder of Avalon Hill.

Phil Barker - one of the founders of the UK s Wargames Research Group

Larry Bond - designer of Harpoon most respected contempory naval wargame and best selling author

Frank Chadwick - Founder of Game Designers Workshop, prolific wargame designer and inovator

Jim Dunnigan - Dean of board wargame designers, most prolific print wargame designer, many firsts in wargame design

Don Featherstone - known in the UK as the father of modern wargaming

Charles Grant

Paddy Griffith

George Gush

Joseph Miranda - editor of Strategy & Tactics, prolific wargame designer, inovator in depicting human factors

Curt Schilling - Founded Multi-Man Publishing to keep Advanced Squad Leader alive.

Lionel Tarr

Brigadier Peter Young

= Notable wargames =

.)

A House Divided

Advanced Squad Leader

Ancients (board game)

Axis and Allies

BattleTech:Succession Wars (popular Boardgame version of BattleTech.)

Blood Bowl

Civilization board game

Cosmic Encounter

Diplomacy (game)

Empires in Arms

Europa (wargame)

Fortress America

Kingmaker

Mayday (game)

Magic Realm

Napoleon (game)

Ogre (game)

Panzerblitz

Samurai Swords, see also Shogun (game)

Squad Leader

Star Fleet Battles

Tactics II

Terrible Swift Sword

Rise and Decline of the Third Reich

Titan (game)

Victory in the Pacific

Wooden Ships and Iron Men

World in Flames

Miniature wargaming (terrain is laid out on a table, and movement regulated by rulers and the like)

Ã?therverse

BlitzkriegCommander

Contemptible Little Armies

Crossfire (board game)

Classic BattleTech

De Bellis Antiquitatis

De Bellis Multitudinis

D&D Miniatures

Empire (miniatures game)

Fire and Fury

Flames of War

Flintloque

G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T

Heroclix

I Ain t Been Shot Mum

Mage Knight

(Later Age of Destruction )

Principles of War

Starship Marine

Star Wars Miniature Battles by West End Games

Star War Miniatures by Wizards of the Coast

Striker (game)

The Sword and the Flame

Wargames Rules 3000 BC to 1485 AD (Wargames Research Group)

Warhammer 40,000

Warhammer Ancient Battles

Warhammer Fantasy Battle

Warhammer Epic 40,000 a larger operational game set in the Warhammer 40K universe.

Warmachine

Warmaster a larger operational game set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe.

Oddities

Ace of Aces (flip-book system)

Car Wars (readily plays as board or miniatures)

(card based game that simulates miniature wargaming)

= Wargames and wargaming as computer terms =

Another common use of the term Wargame is among the Hacker community (specifically White hat), referring to a server that is set up specifically for the purpose of being hacked into. This allows the hacker to have a server to hack into, without the need to worry about the legal issues, as the owner is knowingly allowing this to happen.

=See also=

*Simulation *Simulation game *Role-playing game *Miniature wargaming *Grand strategy *Nation-simulation game *Tabletop game *Computer and video games *Computer-assisted gaming *Aggressor squadron (aircraft in military wargames) *List of board wargames *List of wargame publishers

= External links =

[http://www.wargamer.com/ The Wargamer] War & strategy games website, tabletop, miniature, and computer.

[http://www.dhq.nu/freewargames/ Free Computer Wargames] A directory of free computer wargames.

[http://www.pulltheplug.org/ PullThePlug], Information Security Wargames and Community

[http://www.thewargame.tk Modern Wargame]A forum-based wargame, with Modern, World War II and World War I formats. Created by Glenn Botto

[http://www.consimworld.com ConsimWorld.com]: forum for companies and wargamers both, and a great source

[http://www.grognard.com Web-Grognards] has a listing of most every game and publisher, usually with reviews, extra scenarios, after action reports, etc

[http://www.hyw.com/Books/WargamesHandbook/Contents.htm The Complete Wargames Handbook] on-line, by James F. Dunnigan

[http://www.aagad.org/ The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design]

[http://www.gama.org The Game Manufacturers Association]

[http://www.boardgamers.org Board Game Players Association], noncommercial group manages the Avaloncon convention and other board wargame events

[http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk Free Wargames Rules], A site that hosts and links to hundreds of free rules for miniature gaming

[http://www.boardgamegeek.com BoardGameGeek], A site with resources, ratings, commentary, and much more on all great variety of boardgames

[http://members.shaw.ca/emg.pbm/emg.htm E-Mail Games Website]

[http://zappa.brainiac.com/spaceship Tom s Spaceship Miniature/Game List], an attempt to list all games and miniatures used in games that deal with spaceships

[http://theminiaturespage.com The Miniatures Page], a tabletop wargaming site providing daily hobby news, manufacturers and other directories, forums, etc.

[http://www.modelbenders.com/mastersim.html Mastering Simulation: Online Course]

[http://www.ratingzone.com/ Personalized Game Recommendations] Patended video game recommendation system. Claims to be right 90% of the time.

[http://www.traumhaendler.de traumhaendler.de], a miniature fansite showing models of various wargames

[http://www.jimwallman.org.uk/wargame/index.htm jimwallman.org/wargame], Free wargame rules