kzucker
07-26-2004, 04:03 PM
This Labor Day weekend, September 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2004, we will be
having a small get-together in the mountains of West Virginia, to take
time out to consider some important questions about the illusion and
reality of wargames.
"Strategy," for Napoleon, meant arranging his forces to take advantage
of chance and changing circumstances.
Chance is the most important part of these games, and is probably also
the most realistic of all game mechanisms.
Yet, if you search the rules folder for Seven Days of 1809, do you think
this word appears? Not once.
The word "change," so important to all stories, occurs one time. The
word "strategy" appears twice in the Historical Notes.
I do not think these games are truly aware of what they are, and as a
result they do not present themselves in their true guise.
The modern world is conditioned to buy-in to illusion; it has become
second nature to us. Our whole economy and politics are based on it.
Creating an illusion is also an important part of our games. Yet, if there
is something besides illusion that we are packaging, one would have to
be very cautious about characterizing that as historical accuracy.
This small gathering will take place in Thomas, West Virginia. We'll be staying
at the B&B next door to the Purple Fiddle, a hippie restaurant and
bluegrass music venue. If you want to bring the family, there are two
state parks, Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Conference Center
with accommodations available in Davis, no more than 10 miles away.
Registration fee - $15.
You'll be responsible for making your own room reservations - $45 per
night in the B&B, or in the conference center $90 or $100. If you wish
to attend, please email me first and I will forward the contact information.
This will be fun, the area is beautiful. I hope you can join us.
-Kevin Zucker
having a small get-together in the mountains of West Virginia, to take
time out to consider some important questions about the illusion and
reality of wargames.
"Strategy," for Napoleon, meant arranging his forces to take advantage
of chance and changing circumstances.
Chance is the most important part of these games, and is probably also
the most realistic of all game mechanisms.
Yet, if you search the rules folder for Seven Days of 1809, do you think
this word appears? Not once.
The word "change," so important to all stories, occurs one time. The
word "strategy" appears twice in the Historical Notes.
I do not think these games are truly aware of what they are, and as a
result they do not present themselves in their true guise.
The modern world is conditioned to buy-in to illusion; it has become
second nature to us. Our whole economy and politics are based on it.
Creating an illusion is also an important part of our games. Yet, if there
is something besides illusion that we are packaging, one would have to
be very cautious about characterizing that as historical accuracy.
This small gathering will take place in Thomas, West Virginia. We'll be staying
at the B&B next door to the Purple Fiddle, a hippie restaurant and
bluegrass music venue. If you want to bring the family, there are two
state parks, Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Conference Center
with accommodations available in Davis, no more than 10 miles away.
Registration fee - $15.
You'll be responsible for making your own room reservations - $45 per
night in the B&B, or in the conference center $90 or $100. If you wish
to attend, please email me first and I will forward the contact information.
This will be fun, the area is beautiful. I hope you can join us.
-Kevin Zucker