is the play of simulated Military Operation s in the form of Game s known as '''war games'''. It is a civilian Hobby which originated around the beginning of the 20th century, in which one or more players simulate battles or entire wars as a type of simulation game. The complexity and/or 'realisim' of the game can vary widely, as can the actual purpose of the game (from a study of the subject, to pure entertainment). At first, subjects were generally historical or contemporary in nature, but science-fiction and fantasy have also proven popular subects.
Modern wargaming grew out of the Military need to study Warfare and to 'reenact' old battles for learning purposes. The stunning Prussian victory over the French 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 Counters and Hex Maps , was invented by Charles S. Roberts in 1952 called ''Tactics'' ; he went on to found the Avalon Hill game company, and is called "The father of board wargaming". The modern commercial board wargaming industry is considered to have begun with the publication of ''Tactics II'' in 1958, and the founding of The General Magazine by the Avalon Hill Game Company in 1964.
This, of course, merely refers to the modern ''hobby'' refered to as wargaming. 'A wargame' generally refers to a game that tries to Simulate the actions or results of warfare on some level. In the broadest sense, wargames have existed for centuries — chess could be considered an ancient example.
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.
See Also: Miniature wargaming
Miniature wargaming typically involves the use of Miniature 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 Games , tabletop wargames, Miniature Wargames , or simply wargames.
Miniatures games are generally concerned with rule sets that can be used for any battle in a particular period or war, instead of a particular set situation, as is common in most games. This is directly attributable to the fact that miniatures games require the player to assemble their own terrain and armies, often going to quite a bit of expense and effort to produce both. This makes miniatures gaming much more flexible, but more labor intensive than other forms of wargaming.
A typical non-computerized ('''Kriegspiel''') consists of the following components:
- : The map (or maps) shows the Terrain over which the battle/war is fought, usually overlaid by Hexagon s 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 or Axis And Allies ).
- : The most frequent counters are cardboard squares and wooden blocks, though a few games aimed at a wider audience use plastic figures.
- --- '' Chits '' are usually small cardboard squares moved around on the map to represent Armies , Military Unit s or Individual Military Personnel . Sometimes these markers are printed on both sides, with one side representing the starting condition of the unit and the other side representing the disordered or damaged state.
- --- ''Wooden blocks'' are used in Block Wargame s. By standing the blocks on one side, these counters limit the enemy knowledge of friendly units (simulating Fog Of War ) and can be rotated to a different side to show changes in relative strength.
- ''' and Go may be considered too abstract to represent real war.
- : 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:
- : 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.
- : 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.
- : More and more games use playbooks where the designer has the scenarios listed separately as well as design and historical notes.
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)
- ability to view only a part of the battlefield in detail at a time (see Fog Of War ), adding realism
- 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
- 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
- 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
- use of House Rules and customization usually impossible
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, which is generally Turn-based , differs from computer games which are usually Real-time (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. Games of the genre are fast-paced games of snap decisions, reflexes, coordination and base-building, and leverages the computer's higher ability to simulate and provide interface for economical simulation. Also, RTS games require less sophisticated Artificial Intelligence on the part of computer players. ''' Real-time Tactics ''' games on the other hand focus on realistically simulating real battles without the resource acquistion or unit replacement, requiring equally fast thinking but of a more tactical form. AI requirements are also greater for RTT games. Non- Real Time computer wargaming genres include ''' Turn-based Strategy ''' and ''' Turn-based Tactics '''.
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 LAN , Modem or Internet.
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.
- land battles
- sea battles
- air battles
- combinations of land, sea, and/or air battles
- space battles
All periods of history have their wargaming enthusiasts. Historical games are generally by these periods:
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 Marine s, Spaceship s and Directed-energy Weapon s etc.)
- Fantasy war (including magic, magical creatures and monsters, enchanted items, heroes, fantasy terrain, fantasy constructions, etc.)
- '' 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 , Corps , or Army -sized, and they are rated based upon raw strength. At this scale, Economic production and Diplomacy are significant. The simulation typically involves all branches, and often the entire forces of the Nation s involved, and covers entire wars or long campaigns
- ''Operational'' — units are typically Battalion to Division 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 Wargames '' — units range from individual Vehicle s and Squad s to Platoon s or Companies , 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.
- H.G. Wells - Known as the "Father of miniature wargaming", author of Little Wars
- Charles S. Roberts - Known as the "Father of modern board wargaming", founder of Avalon Hill .
- Tony Bath - founder of The Society Of Ancients
- 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
- Walter Cronkite - Noted war correspondent and CBS News anchorman
- Joe Dever - computer and video games designer, author of Lone Wolf
- Jim Dunnigan - The Dean of Modern Wargaming, founder of SPI most prolific print wargame designer, many firsts in wargame design.
- Don Featherstone - known in the UK as the father of modern wargaming
- Donald Greenwood - Original publisher of Panzerfaust magazine. Took over as editor of the Avalon Hill General. Eventually rising to Vice President. Currently runs the Boardgame Players Association (BPA).
- Charles Grant , author of ''The Wargame''.
- Paddy Griffith
- Alessandro Barbero - teacher of Medieval History in North Piemonte University of Italy, prized writer of historical essays and fictional books
- George Gush
- Gary Gygax - Creator and publisher of Dungeons And Dragons ;
- 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
- C.F. Wesencraft - author of "Practical Wargaming" and "With Pike and Shot"
- Brigadier Peter Young
- Phil Dunn - Founder of the Naval Wargames Society
- Thomas N. Shaw - The Man In The Middle ( Avalon Hill Game Designer).
- Christopher R. Wagner - The Man and the Hobby (founder of Strategy And Tactics ).
- Redmond A. Simonsen - Graphics Gamespeak (Pioneer of game graphics as a system, also rule standarization and game designer at SPI ).
- John Hill - (Wargame designer at both Avalon Hill and SPI ).
- Irad "Terry" Hardy - (Head of R&D at SPI and wargame designer - War Between The States ).
- Frank Davis - Mr. Meticulous (Wargame designer at SPI - Wellington's Victory ).
- Richard Berg - (Wargame designer, worked at SPI - Terrible Swift Sword ).
- David Isby - (Wargame designer at SPI - Soldiers).
- John Prados - (Wargame designer, Avalon Hill Third Reich).
- Ty Bomba - (Wargame designer, Decision Games and founder of XRT's Command Magazine ).
Another common use of the term "Wargame" is among the Hacker community (specifically White-hats ), 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.
- Web-Grognards has a listing of most every game and publisher, usually with reviews, extra scenarios, after action reports, etc
- ConsimWorld.com
- The Wargamer War & strategy games website, tabletop, miniature, and computer.
- Free Computer Wargames A directory of free computer wargames.
- '' The Complete Wargames Handbook '' on-line, by James F. Dunnigan
- The Game Manufacturers' Association
- Board Game Players Association , noncommercial group manages the Avaloncon convention and other board wargame events
- Modern Wargame , A popular forum that hosts a wargame designed by Glenn Botto. Time-periods include modern, WW1, WW2 and fantasy
- Society of Anicents
- Free Wargames Rules , A site that hosts and links to hundreds of free rules for miniature gaming
- E-Mail Games Website
- Tom's Spaceship Miniature/Game List , an attempt to list all games and miniatures used in games that deal with spaceships
- The Miniatures Page , a tabletop wargaming site providing daily hobby news, manufacturers and other directories, forums, etc.
- Mastering Simulation: Online Course - rquires plug-in's.
- jimwallman.org/wargame , Free wargame rules
- Games Workshop (Warhammer creators)
- Mindstalkers (Mindstalkers creators)
- The Naval Wargames Society the home page for the Naval Wargames Society
- Free Napoleonic wargame online for beginners
- Kriegsspiel News Web site dedicated to the original game of Kriegsspiel
- The Dice Tower , a weekly podcast about board games including war games
- David Helber's has done more for the upsurge in interest in colonial wargaming than any other website.
- , an international group of wargamers dedicated to the development of new ideas and concepts.
- - Bob Cordery's colonial wargaming website, which includes '''free''' colonial wargames rules, battle reports, and a large section on Victorian and Edwardian Military Miscellany.
- - Rudi Geuden's wargaming website. It includes links to lots of free, downloadable wargames rules as well as information about Tony Bath's famous Hyboria campaign and Rudi's own '''Afriboria''' colonial campaigns and battles.
|
