WHY WARGAMING WORKS

Wargaming has a long history as an important tool for military training, education, and research.1 In its broader application to nonmilitary conflict situations (see, for example, the recent books Wargaming for Leaders and Business War Games), the technique is increasing in popularity, particularly among businesses seeking strategic advantages.2 (As a result, we will sometimes use the terms "wargaming" and "gaming" interchangeably; in the latter case, however, we mean what is called "serious gaming," not the more general sense, like gambling.)3 Despite that history and popularity, however, wargaming's record of success is uneven. [...] gaming is an even more powerful way to experience narrative than reading a book or watching a film.