Historical Study of War

Historical Study of War

The Evolution and Application of Modern Wargames from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century: From Kriegsspiel to Contemporary Revival

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Meisam Belbasi 1
Saeed Mirahmadi 2
1 Assistant Professor, Islamic Revolution Studies, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
2 PhD in International Relations, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/hsow.2026.2080980.1656
Abstract
Wargames have evolved over nearly two centuries into important instruments for military training, analysis, and decision-making. This study aims to analyze the evolution of the functions of wargame and to develop a framework for explaining these changes across different historical periods. The research question is: How have the functions of wargames evolved throughout historical developments? Using a descriptive-analytical approach and drawing on historical sources and specialized documents, the study examines the evolution of wargames from the emergence of Kriegsspiel in 1824 to contemporary developments. The findings indicate that the evolution of wargames has not been merely chronological but has been shaped by changing military requirements, strategic environments, and technological developments, resulting in significant transformations in their functions. Accordingly, four periods can be identified: emergence and formation (1824), rise and expansion (from the pre-World War I era to the end of World War II), relative decline (the post-World War II and Cold War era), and revival (the second decade of the twenty-first century). Throughout this trajectory, the function of wargames has evolved from tactical training toward strategic decision support, security-environment analysis, and military futures studies.
Keywords
Wargame
Military Decision-Making
History of the Wargame
Application of the Wargame
Kriegsspiel
Subjects
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