Wargaming and Wargames – Gaming’s Most Controversial Genre

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As a seasoned gamer with decades under my belt, I can attest to the intricate dance of genre definitions in the gaming world. The terms we use to categorize games are not perfect, but they serve a purpose – providing a quick and easy way to convey the essence of what a game is about.

Videogame genre definitions are confusing, but one thing they are not is useless.

Video game genres are typically categorized based on two main factors: the game’s primary mechanics or the similarity to other popular titles. For instance, a game might be labeled as a ‘Strategy’, ‘Shooter’, or ‘Survival’ game if its core gameplay is centered around those mechanics. Alternatively, it could be named ‘Soulslike’ or ‘Roguelike’ if it shares similarities with established games within these categories. This naming convention helps potential buyers understand the game’s playstyle without requiring a detailed explanation each time. If you tell someone a game is a shooter, they can quickly associate it with other shooters and anticipate its general gameplay. In essence, video game genres serve as quick reference points to communicate the gameplay experience effectively.

Within each main category of games, there are subcategories that provide more specific descriptions of gameplay. For instance, under the Strategy genre, you’ll find a variety of subgenres such as real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based strategy, turn-based tactics, grand strategy, 4X, and numerous others. Each of these subcategories offers a unique twist on strategic gaming.

As the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and games taking inspiration from one another constantly, it’s no wonder you’ll start to see a mix-and-mash of a set of mechanics from one genre, and bringing those to another genre. Total War successfully mixed grand strategy with a turn-based campaign map and real-time battles. Stronghold and Mannor Lords both play in real-time and take a lot of cues from city-building titles. Crusader Kings 3 is as much a grand-strategy game as it is a role-playing game, and Armed Assault, Squad, and Hell Let Loose are as much a first-person shooter as they are military-sims. However, games like Doom, Wolfenstein, and Call of Duty are first-person shooters, but they’re not military sims.

The definition of each genre and subgenre is never set in stone, changing with each new game and new game mechanic. We have long arrived at a point where describing a game by its overarching genre is no longer that useful, and we need to be a bit more specific.

This article was inspired by some individuals online debating over the issues surrounding the terminology “wargame” and “wargaming.” While I generally concur with their concerns, not for the reasons you may assume. It’s not about the term being considered “problematic,” “offensive,” or inappropriate, as some might claim based on their supposed lack of masculinity or intelligence. After all, our platform is named Firaxis. Instead, I wanted to address the fact that these terms often cause confusion among people who are not part of this specific niche within gaming. And there’s a clear reason for that.

Wargaming is something that has been around for much longer than gaming has, and you can trace it back centuries, but realistically speaking, the term Wargame became the de facto definition for games that try and portray warfare realistically since the publishing of the 19th-century work called Kriegsspiel (which translates, almost literal, to Wargame). Like the genres we talked about before, Wargame is a definition that made sense when it started being used, you were playing games about simulating conflicts, so everything was perfect. There wasn’t anything else comparable either, so there was nothing to be confused about.

As we shifted from traditional board wargames to digital ones, the complexity increased, as was only natural. You’re no longer bound by the physical world’s restrictions, opening up opportunities for innovative approaches to warfare simulation. This shift brought about a variety of games that, while they share the label “wargames,” exhibit distinct differences from one another. To illustrate this diversity, let’s consider a few examples: Combat Mission series could be seen as real-time or turn-based strategy games, and Command: Modern Operations is an intricate example of real-time strategy. Battle Academy, War In The East 2, and Flashpoint Campaigns are all turn-based games.

My point is: that there’s no precise definition of what a wargame is. If it’s all about simulating conflict, then surely first-person shooters like ArmA and Squad are also wargames. If it’s all about simulating realistic conflicts, then games like Shadow Empire and Warhammer couldn’t be considered wargames. Being hex-and-counter, and turn-based would put a lot of the titles previously mentioned outside of that definition. What about flight sims? Are those wargames? All and all, this is a very big mess.

But my problem with the word “wargame” goes beyond the definition of it. I think most people with a passing interest in these kinds of titles know what to expect when you say that is a “wargame”. My problem is when I’m talking to people who don’t know what a “wargame” is, and they’re asking me questions about this website. The conversation always (and I mean, always) goes one of two ways: “Oh, games about war, like Call of Duty?” or “Uh, are those like games with guns?”. I always end up explaining to myself that no, that’s just a word for realistic military simulations, mostly historical (for me, at least).  

Through reflecting on my past experiences, I realized why things turned out as they did. Prior to attending university, more than a decade ago, I was searching for video games that recreated historical events in some manner. Of course, I was familiar with the popular choices like Age of Empires, Total War, and Company of Heroes. However, I sensed there must be something else since I couldn’t believe no one had ever attempted to create more “serious” titles in this genre. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Tim’s The Flare Path column that I found a whole other category of games hidden behind an awkward term I hadn’t heard before: “wargames.” Like many others, I often confused “wargames” with war-themed games, which usually encompasses nearly all games available.

In my time outside of Firaxis, I often categorize games based on their historical or contemporary setting. If a game is set in the past, like Scourge of War, Field of Glory, or Combat Mission, I typically label it as “Historical Strategy”. On the other hand, if the game is set in modern times, I generally use the term “Military Strategy”. If the person I’m speaking with is not familiar with strategy games, I might resort to calling it “Realistic Strategy” for clarity.

“Alright folks, just adding my perspective to this discussion. To clarify, I’m not here to suggest altering definitions or promoting personal preferences. In truth, the words we use matter less to me than ensuring clear communication. So long as your audience grasps the intended meaning of what you say.

Could you please tell me if you share my viewpoint, and help me explain what a wargame is to someone unfamiliar with the term?

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2024-10-14 16:42