Note: This is a rough English translation of the original Dutch version. University of Amsterdam (UvA) Master thesis Military History 2014/2015 Wargames History in and of (computer) wargames 1.Image of characters from the computer wargame Verdun from http://www.giantbomb.com/verdun/3030-43245/ Author: Maarten Collewijn Student number: 5706114 Email:
[email protected] Home adres: Overhaalsgang 36, 1018 ZT, Amsterdam, Nederland Phone: +(31)(0)637377050 Thesis supervisor: H.Amersfoort Name second reader: P.Knevel Submission date: 13-4-2015 ‘Ever since words existed for fighting and playing, men have been wont to call war a game.’ Johan Huizinga1 1 Johan Huizinga, Homo Ludens, A study of the play-element in culture (London, 1949) 89. 1 Index Preface……………………………………………………………………………… 3 1. What are wargames? Definition and categorization………………………….. 5 2. History of wargames……..………………………………………………….. 11 3. History in computer wargames…………………………………………..…. 20 4. Reviewing a computer wargame’s historical realism…………………… …… 41 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….. 44 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………. 48 Appendix I Images and pictures……………………………………………………… 50 II Game list…………………………………………………………………….. 51 III Internet page overview…………………………………………………… 53 IV Transcripts interviews commercial companies…………………………. 54 V Transcripts interviews institutes………………………………………. 68 Added CD-ROM I Sound recordings of depth interviews II Digital version of thesis 2 Preface For more than 3000 years wargames or war simulations have been a trainings tool for the army and an entertaining pastime for the public. What started with sand tables and board games has evolved to advanced computer and communication systems that offer a worldwide training- and entertainment portal. Before the computer age it were mainly the strategic and operational level of warfare that were being trained with simulation games.