The Games Behind Your Government's Next War

September 07, 2024

The Games Behind Your Government’s Next War is a fascinating look into government funded gaming by the folks at People Make Games.

In the video, People Make Games was invited to The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to discuss how gaming is used to simulate conflicts. It’s intersting to see how board games, video games, tabletop RPGs, and even LARPing can be useful tools in a military context. The video raises difficult questions about how something I primarily think of as a fun hobby can affect the real world in sobering ways. On the other hand, it also highlights how gaming as a medium for simulation can be a powerful tool for solving extremly difficult problems.

It’s a 43-minute video, but it’s definitely worth your time.