Influences on War Games

For as long as there has been war, there has always been war games. Technically, anything acted out for entertainment that relates to war or violence could be considered a war game, or even anything that involves conflict with two players. Whether it be using a stick to play fight, or military training by the ancient Greeks, there has always been an essence of war games in humanity's existence. Wars fought on horseback with valiant knights on noble steeds with swords and lances inspired the sport of jousting.

It is odd in a way that something often so violent and horrific as wars, have throughout history been used as inspiration for games played solely for enjoyment and fun. It is a strange yet effective form of inspiration to create a form of entertainment using real world examples of conflict, because games are so often based on conflict and competition between opposing players. Some games even take direct inspiration from actual life events.

Many games have been used to simulate combat to practice strategies for war. It is interesting how war games went full circle, from having been inspired by war, to be directly used to contribute towards war itself.