"Do Wargames Teach History?" Topic

This is a "chicken or egg?" question.

No. I have learnt as a result of wargaming, since I have researched periods more thoroughly than I otherwise may have: but not by playing the game, which is a different thing.

In themselves? I can't imagine so, but I've seen people go off and read up on things they'd never have done if they didn't see it in a game.

They CAN teach history. They won't necessarily. If the rules allow all and only the historical options, and the scenarios are realistic, you can get there. I say it as a miniatures player, but often board games and campaigns are better for this.

From the research, yes, but from the games themselves--nah.

I would agree that the reading and research teach history – not so much the games, but they are fun

The actual game ? Precious little.

Background reading – I should cocoa.

Wargames enable interest in learning more.

Question in the title: yes wargames can teach history but obviously it depends on the game …

Question on the poll itself (which is slightly different): yes, I have learnt from the games I have played …

One question is generalised (everyone's entitled to an opinion), the other is about personal experience (and can't be gainsaid, I'd have thought) …

But in my case it's easy as the answer is the same in both instances …

Phil

What referee is so pompous that he sets up games, excuse me, SIMULATIONS, under the belief that he is educating the players in history?
If it's a real rivet counter game, the players may learn about the different rates of maneuver between various nations.
Did anybody ever learn anything from playing Empire?
If you are playing a game like Empire, you've already committed yourself to learning Napoleonic history.
Now, the game may inspire you to do further research on Eylau, but that's not the same thing as learning from the game.

You need to get out more, Winston – clearly there is more to wargaming than what you are seeing

Phil

I happen to have a degree in Space Marine history :-)

Quite often we discuss the real historical events we are trying to simulate, the events leading to our game and the events after. The game itself is just entertainment.

Winston, if I may? I'm decently educated in military history, but there were things about the much-discussed "central position" I never properly appreciated until I wound up in a Frederick the Great/Hitler position in a map and pins game. There were parts of Cowpens which only made sense to me once I trotted out the 1/72 plastics and fought it solo as a scripted game.
No, it doesn't happen every week--and I only wish I had a game a week for it not to happen at. Most of my wargames at best give me an appreciation for the usual tactics of the era, and I play them for fun rather than education. But they certainly do teach some of the time. Sorry if you haven't had that experience.

I do agree with Robert that a game can help put something into a clearer perspective that was hard to visualize before.

What gamer is so pompous that he refuses to accept that others could possibly learn from a game?

I have learned much of the history I know from doing reading inspired by wargaming. I want to game X. Goes to library in search of books about X.

Setting up and playing a game of a particular battle has certainly given me better knowledge of those battles. Not every game I play is a made up scenario.

Yes, it can, but then most things can teach you something, even if it is that smacking your thumb with a hammer hurts.

Every day is a School day!

it is what you make of the oportunity that is important