Connections NL

Diederik Stolk
Goldsworthy, Stolk & Associates

Rapid (war)game
prototyping
10/11/2017

dstolk@goldsworthy-stolk-associates.com
info@goldsworthy-stolk-associates.com
+31 6 330 555 27
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So what?
To provide you some insight into how to quickly create fit-for-purpose (war)games.
Share lessons learned in game design.

Cases:
1. Defensity Wargame: prototype full spectrum game developed to
recruit and select students for the Armed Forces.

2. Strategische Simulatie Besluitvorming Defensie (SSBD): game

developed for politicians (MPs) and senior civil servants to create
an understanding for the use and limitations of defence
capabilities.

There is a contrast between the two with regards to development

and delivery Diederik Stolk
Game designer / wargamer
Entrepreneur
Clients: various Armed Forces, government
institutions & for-profit companies

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Defensity Wargame
Aim: to use wargaming as an effective recruitment, selection and training tool for
students and aspirant reserve officers.

Geo Write
profiles Design &
Define
make
scope
Actors counters
and
Identify orbats Design 2
scenario scenario
& packs
research

Delivery

1st cycle (sprint) followed by shorter follow-on sprints

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Gameplay
Overview of a round (3 4 in total)
Activities: Assessment areas:
1. Analyse Analysis and communication (incl. listening) skills
2. Plan Maths and logical reasoning
3. Execute: conform turn sequence Leadership and team work
a. White (including political and tactical moves) Use of English
b. Political cells (red, orange, blue, green)
c. Red, Orange
and a whole lot more
d. Blue, Green
4. Combat Challenge: observing 40 students at a time
5. Cognition and adjudication
6. Tasker next round

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Defensity Wargame

2 scenario packs Counters & Geography

Red / Orange / White
Blue / Green / White
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SSBD Ministry of Defence
Challenge: Create a simulation for politicians and senior civil servants to provide insight
into the use of military capabilities in light of (global) threats & defence policy.

Meet- MEL/
ings MIL + Play test
Define injects &
scope
improve
Scenario
& design
Media
research

Delivery

More traditional project management approach

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SSBD Setup
Zaal spelleiding Vergaderzaal Perszaal

Hoofd spelleiding
Vicepremier Premier
bij aanvang
Scenario
Achtergrond
informatie
Publieke Politiek secretaris
Intl. Min VenJ v.d. premier
opinie

Planbord
Politiek MINDEF
Min DEF Min BUZA
nationaal

Intel & Media PCDS Min BHOS

analyse Kaart met
inzet defensie
en hotspots
Media
Live feed
Twitter Nieuws Klok
 SSBD Gameplay
Start ronde

Besluiten
deelnemers
60 min

Press Social media

conference injects

Besluiten Informatie
communiceren analyseren

Social media Intel injects &

Unfortunately, behind closed doors.
deelnemers
injects overheidsdocs Not allowed to release pictures.
Discussiren en
afstemmen

Planbord Traditionele
inzet defensie media injects
injects
SSBD Some products
Threat & decision cards trigger focused
discussion and decision-making

(Social) media = effective tool to enable

Plan board = effective tool to represent capabilities accountability factor
Magnetic counters are fantastic
MEL/MIL is everything
Allow for repeatable games

Lean IT enables a remote facilitation room = more

realism + better experience for participants

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Lessons identified
What did we learn as developers from these two projects?
Defensity Wargame SSBD / Ministerial Game
Rapid prototyping in cycles (agile) 1st cycle longest, then More traditional approach to development has benefits and
refine - preferred. limitations
Wargaming is a good tool for assessment and selection. It is possible to provide audiences with a good grasp of
Armed Forces and real life threats.
Live fire wargaming = ok but expect bugs Always play test, if audience is senior (reduce failure risk to 0)
Facilitation consider whether direct facilitation can be Control function with simple lean IT support works brilliantly
removed from the game

And for business?

Both game formats can be used for strategic insight (use of capabilities and means, allocation of resources, dealing with
threats and issues)
Development cycles could be shorter (if necessary information is at hand within company)
Challenge = to convince client of development cycle(s) and its added value (you are doing much more than making a
game).

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