Simplicity vs Complexity in Wargames
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
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Depends if you are doing a simulation in conjunction with reading on an operation, say Barbarossa and East Front Series. I think if you are playing casually or against an opponent, a simpler game is better.
I'm old. I prefer simple once in awhile. I'll put something a bit complex on the table about whether I finish that or not...
My design aim is to understand what actually happened. Sometimes a simpler game is more plausible. Sometimes a complex game is more plausible. Complexity should make the history more evident. If it distorts or obscures the history, the game is too self-conscious. Does the Battle of Gettysburg really hinge on where a particular artillery unit is positioned? In general, reducing the scope and number of player decisions, enhances authenticity. Any time game play takes longer than the simulated real time, realism is diminished. Anytime players are focused on "solving a puzzle," they are not making realistic command decisions. In the end, it comes down to a choice of what you hope to get from the game, historical insight, or engineering a game victory like "solving Rubik's Cube. If the game feels like a problem, it is probably not a great tool for understanding history.
Mechanics should be as simple as possible to net a plausible result. Strategy or tactics can be more complex, but the mechanics to execute them should be as simple as possible.
A related design principle is command level. IMO, the player should never have to make decisions below his level of command. Maybe one level higher if needed, but never lower. If you're a company commander, you make company level decisions. A division commander makes division level decisions. Some designers believe players should make decisions up to two levels below their command level. Nonsense, that's just bad design.
Lets make it really simple. I roll a D6 and you rolla D6, whoever gets the highest wins. Simple, we can then get on with all the fun things in life. Lets call this game, 'THe Game Of Life' or 'World War III'.