Designing an ideal introductory wargame

With Dr Lewis Pulsipher

In which Lew and I have a deep-dive ramble about designing ‘the ideal introductory wargame’.

We discuss some, to us, key issues in design:

• What is a wargame?

• What do we mean by introductory wargame?

• Who is our audience?

• The issue of sanitisation of war.

• What would be the topic? We look at concepts of theme, atmosphere, model and simulation.

• Who is the player; what does the player represent?

• Euro gamers versus wargamers

• Level of activity – tactical, operational, strategic; mechanics versus strategy

In part 2, we talk about:

• Components and Kickstarter

• Undaunted Normandy

• Partners and teams

• Uncertainty, fog of war, hidden information

• Manoeuvre and movement

• Combat and dice buckets

• Economy, symmetric or asymmetric

• Victory conditions

• ‘Gyp factor’ – experienced player vs novice player

• Recap