What is... Space War!?

Space War! is one of the earliest video games ever made, programmed by Steve Russell in 1962. It was created initially to showcase the technical power of a new computer.  It is a two player game and the first video game to ever include conflict or an aspect of war. Each player takes control of a small spaceship, and are pitted against each other with the goal of destroying the opponents spaceship to win the game. The ships are under the influence of a gravity well in the center of the screen which the player must navigate and avoid whilst firing missiles at the opposing ship.

It is an iconic game because not only was it the first video game to bring an aspect of war gaming to the digital screen, it was also one of the first computer games to achieve significant success and was the first popular video game. It could be considered the start of the games industry. It has inspired numerous games since it's release with many games simply adding to the formula of 2D space combat.

What is... Battleship?

Battleship is a two player naval war game that originated as a pen and paper game played on simple square grids in the 1930's before being manufactured and published into a physical board game in 1967. The game is played on four equally sized grids which represent bodies of water. Each player has access to two; one flat, one vertical. Both players grids are positioned back to back so neither player can see the others grids. The players have a number of ships of various sizes that they must place down and position onto their primary grid; this represents the section of water that their own vessels occupy. Each boat has a number of pegs which slot into the grids holes.

Each players secondary grid represents their opponents section of water, neither player knows where opponent has placed their ships. Each players takes it in turns 'firing a missile' at a point on the grid where they suspect their opponent may be. The players then both mark the shot on their corresponding grid, either marking it as a hit or a miss. The game is won when one player has sunk all of their opponent's battleships. It is essentially a naval warfare simulator, with each player acting as a commanding officer ordering to fire at the enemy. The game was likely inspired by World War I and the naval warfare that took place during the war. Again something so catastrophic as naval warfare, which led to the deaths and drowning of many troops during the war, was an inspiration for a form of entertainment.

What is... War Gaming?

•A wargame is a strategy game involving military operations either real or fictional. Wargaming is the hobby dedicated to playing games of this type. 

•War games can be played for entertainment and fun, or may be used more seriously in military re enactments to study. 

•War games feature various game mechanics and settings. Both historically accurate and fictional.