wargaming
Tabletop military simulations
Wargaming is the practice of simulating military operations or strategic conflicts, typically using maps, miniature figures, or computer software.
Military professionals use wargames to test strategies and train officers; hobbyists play them recreationally: He spent the weekend wargaming the Battle of Gettysburg.
The term extends to any detailed simulation of competitive scenarios: The company wargamed various market entry strategies.
Tiny representations of larger things
- hexagonSix-sided closed figure
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
dice · gamemaster · faction · expansion · rulebook · terrain · Warhammer · historical
Combat engagement area
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- assaultViolent offensive act
siege · invasion · army · navy · airforce · infantry · artillery · battalion
Methods to achieve goals
- flankingAt the sides of
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- feintDeceptive mock attack
pincer · attrition · blitzkrieg · reconnaissance · fortification · counterattack · deployment · envelopment
Imitation of real processes
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- graphicsVisual design elements
3D · rendering · engine · virtual · Civilization · multiplayer · online · mod
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- red-teamAuthorized adversarial assessors
- sandboxEnclosed play area
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
miniatures
Tiny representations of larger things
- hexagonSix-sided closed figure
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
scenario · dice · gamemaster · faction · expansion · rulebook · terrain · Warhammer · historical · fantasy
battlefield
Combat engagement area
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
assault · siege · invasion · army · navy · airforce · infantry · artillery · battalion · squadron
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- flankingAt the sides of
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
feint · pincer · attrition · blitzkrieg · reconnaissance · fortification · counterattack · deployment · envelopment · objective
simulation
Imitation of real processes
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- AISimulated cognitive processing
graphics · 3D · rendering · engine · virtual · Civilization · multiplayer · online · mod · pathfinding
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- red-teamAuthorized adversarial assessors
- sandboxEnclosed play area
- hobbiesknitting circles, skateboarding, model trains, write, writing
- tabletop gamesbackgammon, chess, checkers, Carcassonne, Go
- war gamescombat simulations, Age of Empires, Command and Conquer, Squad, Fire Emblem
- drillsdrill, drills, drilling, fire drill, earthquake drill
- mock combatsparring, paintball, laser tag, airsoft, pillow fight
- military studiesmilitary doctrine, military history, military leadership, military law, strategy
wargamingarmed conflict
Military combat between groups
military engagement · field operations · combat operations · active duty · deployment
wargamingpeacebuilding
Establishing lasting harmony post-conflict
conflict resolution · mediation · peace negotiations · meditation · peacekeeping
wargaminggambling
Betting on uncertain results
games of chance · dice games · slot machines · lottery · roulette
war, game, games, gaming, gamer, gamed, gamers, wargame, wargamer