Simulating War : Studying Conflict through Simulation Games

Over the past 50 years, many thousands of conflict simulations have been published that bring the dynamics of past and possible future wars to life. In this book, Philip Sabin explores the theory and practice of conflict simulation as a topic in its own right, based on his 30 years of experience in designing wargames and using them in teaching. Simulating War sets conflict simulation in its proper context alongside more academically familiar techniques such as game theory and operational analysis. It explains in detail the analytical and modelling techniques involved, and it teaches you how to design your own simulations of conflicts of your choice. The book provides eight simple illustrative simulations of specific historical conflicts, complete with rules, maps and counters. Simulating War is essential reading for all recreational or professional simulation gamers, and for anyone who is interested in modelling war, from teachers and students to military officers. "Over the past fifty years, many thousands of conflict simulations have been published which bring the dynamics of past and possible future wars to life. Philip Sabin used such techniques in his acclaimed previous book Lost Battles to cast new light on Greek and Roman land engagements. In this new work, he explores the theory and practice of conflict simulation as a topic in its own right, based on his thirty years of experience in designing wargames and using them to educate both military and civilian students. Simulating War sets conflict simulation in its proper context alongside more academically familiar techniques such as game theory and operational analysis. It explains in detail the analytical and modelling techniques involved, and it teaches you how to design your own simulations of conflicts of your choice, as do Philip Sabin's MA students. The book provides eight simple illustrative simulations of specific historical conflicts, complete with rules, maps and counters. These games have all been employed successfully in class, and you can use them to see exactly how conflict simulation works."--Publisher description "Over the past fifty years, many thousands of conflict simulations have been published that bring the dynamics of past and possible future wars to life. In this book, Philip Sabin explores the theory and practice of conflict simulation as a topic in its own right, based on his thirty years of experience in designing wargames and using them in teaching. Simulating War sets conflict simulation in its proper context alongside more familiar techniques such as game theory and operational analysis. It explains in detail the analytical and modelling techniques involved, and it teaches you how to design your own simulations of conflicts of your choice. The book provides eight simple illustrative simulations of specific historical conflicts, complete with rules, maps and counters. Simulating War is essential reading for all recreational or professional simulation gamers, and for anyone who is interested in modelling war, from teachers and students to military officers."-- Provided by publisher "In this book, Philip Sabin explores the theory and practice of conflict simulation as a topic in its own right, based on his 30 years of experience in designing wargames and using them in teaching. Simulating War sets conflict simulation in its proper context alongside more academically familiar techniques such as game theory and operational analysis. It explains in detail the analytical and modelling techniques involved, and it teaches you how to design your own simulations of conflicts of your choice. The book provides eight simple illustrative simulations of specific historical conflicts, complete with rules, maps and counters"--Publisher's web site List of plates List of figures Acknowledgements Introduction PART I Theory 1 Modelling war 2 Accuracy vs simplicity 3 Educational utility 4 Simulation research PART II Mechanics 5 Designing the components 6 Modelling conflict dynamics 7 Modelling command dynamics 8 Integration and testing PART III Examples 9 Ancient warfare 10 World War Two 11 Tactical combat Conclusion Appendix 1: Assembling the components Appendix 2: Finding published simulations Appendix 3: Basic mathematics Appendix 4: Using Cyberboard Appendix 5: Kartenspiel Notes Bibliography Index