US Participatory Wargames Show

[Nick Harbud]

Completely beyond the Forum rules, but I just had to share this one.

[Erpingham]

Fascinating. Art installation, political commentary and wargame all in one. Top tabletop wargame designer too. That Capitol building in 28mm is a terrain making masterpiece 

Obviously political sensitivity restricts much discussion on the forum but I was reminded that the Society did a Roman political faction game at the Convention and "mob" games have certain potential in our period (Alexandria, Byzantium, Sicilian Vespers among many others).

[Ian61]

Wow - but as a concept of scale this could be done for historical events, inspirational I would say - could something akin be done in a convention or Battleday? Would need a lot of planning.

[Imperial Dave]

Oh good gracious 

[Jim Webster]

"For players, we recommend it for mature audiences "

I suspect it rules out most wargamers 

Actually, I've noticed that with many wargamers, if their brief at the start of the game tells them their aim is the fall of the American republic (or whatever) then the American republic is going to fall. Because it's a game and those are the victory conditions.

Over the years I've seen players totally separate any ethical considerations they have from the purposes of the game. Because it's a game and ostentatiously not real. When the club nice guy sells the population of a conquered city into slavery as the only way to pay the legions, you realise that some people can tell the difference between reality and a game 

[Erpingham]

Over the years I've seen players totally separate any ethical considerations they have from the purposes of the game.

I'd hope this was normal. I'd be more worried by people who can't. The way you play the game as competitor (sporting behaviour) probably has more impact on your fellow gamers than your willingness to command Waffen SS divisions.

[Adrian Nayler]

Thank goodness that snacks are provided and a bar is available. No mob would be complete (nor replete) without them.

[Imperial Dave]

Missing presumed fed...?

[Cantabrigian]

Over the years I've seen players totally separate any ethical considerations they have from the purposes of the game.

I'd hope this was normal. I'd be more worried by people who can't. The way you play the game as competitor (sporting behaviour) probably has more impact on your fellow gamers than your willingness to command Waffen SS divisions.

I have to admit that I'm one of those people who can't.  I guess that there's an element of role-playing in gaming for me, and I hope that if in real life I would have turned down the chance to command the Waffen SS.  They're just too linked with Nazi ideology for me.

I'm less concerned about ordering the slaughtering of barbarians in a game because that was the morality of the era.

(This isn't meant as the slightest criticism of anyone whose comfort level in gaming is different.)

[Erpingham]

I think there is no one answer - each will have a personal view. But I do think a lot of wargaming does involve a willingness to suspend moral judgements in order to represent the historical sides. Bit like actors playing villains in films.

[Nick Harbud]

If you ever want to see a whole room of people gleefully suspend moral judgement, just get out the Nuclear War.

[Imperial Dave]

Played this at PAWS aeons ago 

[Chris]

Being careful not to be too political or even political, lest the thread be locked down, my knee-jerk response is "interesting" with a healthy dose of eye rolling and a sense of disappointment.

Anyway, focusing on the first assessment, I wonder, as with comedy (I believe the equation is 'comedy = tragedy plus time'; what, too soon?), if there is a general rule within the wargaming community as to when it is acceptable (understanding that this category will vary depending on the specific population) to stage or demonstrate wargames that reflect or seek to recreate recent history?

I recall attending, briefly, a convention where there was a very large participation game of the siege of Khartoum. Coincidentally and unfortunately, this was taking place at the same time that modern day Khartoum was witnessing tragic events.

I guess I would not be surprised to find out - through some channel or other - that wargamers were fighting battles featuring Russians and Ukrainians. (Would drone attacks be a +3 modifier?) I suppose a wargame pitting Israelis against Iranians has already been done.

[Nick Harbud]

Well, I was playing Nuclear War in the 1980s, but I was surprised to discover that it was first published in 1965, shortly after Dr. Strangelove.  Evidently, it captured the zeitgeist.

Regarding games in bad taste, I remember attending the Conference of Wargamers during a year that featured a game called Führerbunker based upon guess what?  GMT Games has something similar now on its second printing.  Pick your own reasons for its popularity.

[Erpingham]

when it is acceptable (understanding that this category will vary depending on the specific population) to stage or demonstrate wargames that reflect or seek to recreate recent history?

I'm sure I saw demo games, figure ranges, terrain etc. for Afghan games while the conflict was in progress. And yes, there are people fighting Russo-Ukrainian battles and probably Russian v. NATO what-ifs. So, I think no general convention exists, just what people feel comfortable with.