war game
Simulated tactical conflict
A war game is a simulation of military conflict, used either for training personnel or for entertainment.
Military planners use war games to test strategies and anticipate enemy responses.
Board games and video games simulating battles are also war games: We spent the weekend playing a World War II war game.
As a verb, to war-game is to simulate scenarios strategically: Let's war-game what happens if the deal falls through.
Horizontal furniture surface
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
- hexMalevolent incantation
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
replay · sandbox · turn-based · real-time · terrain · morale · reinforcements · objectives
Planned approach to goals
- RTSPauseless tactical gaming genre
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- CivilizationEmpire-building strategy game
- StarCraftBlizzard's interstellar strategy franchise
multiplayer · skirmish · AI · units · resources · mod · DLC · esports
Military capture-the-flag board game
- WarhammerMiniature wargaming franchise
- BattleTechMech combat game universe
- PanzerGerman armored fighting vehicle
- ASLManual visual communication system
miniatures · dice · cards · tokens · map · rulebook · player · opponent
Methods to achieve goals
- flankingAt the sides of
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- blitzkriegFast, overwhelming military campaign
attrition · offensive · defensive · reconnaissance · intelligence · deception · pincer · siege
tabletop
Horizontal furniture surface
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
- hexMalevolent incantation
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
campaign · replay · sandbox · turn-based · real-time · terrain · morale · reinforcements · objectives · RAND
strategy
Planned approach to goals
- RTSPauseless tactical gaming genre
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- CivilizationEmpire-building strategy game
StarCraft · multiplayer · skirmish · AI · units · resources · mod · DLC · esports · speedrun
Stratego
Military capture-the-flag board game
- WarhammerMiniature wargaming franchise
- BattleTechMech combat game universe
- PanzerGerman armored fighting vehicle
ASL · miniatures · dice · cards · tokens · map · rulebook · player · opponent
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- flankingAt the sides of
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- feintDeceptive mock attack
blitzkrieg · attrition · offensive · defensive · reconnaissance · intelligence · deception · pincer · siege · breakthrough
- wargameswargaming, naval combat, naval battle, campaign mode, air combat
- tabletop gamesboard games, card games, backgammon, chess, checkers
- video gamesvideo games, Fortnite, arcade, consoles, console
- mock combatsparring, paintball, laser tag, airsoft, pillow fight
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- strategy gameschess, strategy, checkers, go, Go
war gamearmed conflict
Military combat between groups
military engagement · hot war · theater of war · battle · warfare
war gamepeace negotiation
Dialogue to end conflict
peace talks · peace summit · mediation · treaty negotiation · disarmament talks
war gameparlor game
Indoor social amusement
children's game · party game · casual game · leisure activity · social game