An Introduction to Matrix Games Todd Mason Kriegspiel Developments

An Introduction to Matrix Games

Todd Mason

Kriegspiel Developments

Outline

• Introduction– How does it work – History– Military uses

• Example game– Falklands War

Outline (cont)

• Analysis

• Game design

• Other comments

What are they?

“Matrix Games are a simple, paper and pencil simulation game that allows people to simulate a wide variety of games. Hobby gamers use it to play murder mysteries, spy games, fantasy quests, intrigues, military campaigns and political games. The British Army uses Matrix Games as a planning tool. Teachers have used them to teach history and creative writing. Psychotherapists use them to treat violent children and alcoholics.”

Chris Englehttp://www.io.com/~hamster/

Who

• Referee– The referee rules on the strength of arguments

and resolves conflict.

• Players– The players represent the various factions/

characters in the scenario.

What

• Mystery

• Spy intrigues

• Quests

• Military campaigns

• Politics

• Battles

• Budgets

How

• Players make arguments

• The referee assesses the strength of the arguments

• The results are adjudicated

• Conflicts are resolved– Arguments– Combat/ conflict

• Some other actions may occur

Props

• None required

• Maps

• Briefings

• Counters or playing pieces

Types of Arguments

• Planning

• Conflict

• Trouble

• Irrelevant

Structure

• The form of the arguments is flexible.– Suit the scenario– Style of play– Players– Type of game

Example• Gen. Gordon builds a “moat” around

Khartoum to raise the morale of the occupants

1. He has a ready supply of manpower,

2. The city is built on the Nile river and so water is available,

3. He is an Engineer.

Secret Arguments

• Not revealed to other players

• Referee adjudicates

• Impact on subsequent events

• Can disrupt the flow of the game

Resolving Conflict

• 2 or more arguments compete– each must succeed– roll off between them

• Alternatives

History of Matrix Games

• Chris Engle 1988

• Further developed in US and UK

• Numerous articles in magazines and on the web

History

• Kriegspiel

• Muggergames

• Matrix

History

• Wargames used for as long as Armies have existed.– Chess, Go (Wei Hai)

• Weikhmann - Koenigspiel (1664)

• Helwig (1780)

• Venturini (1797)

• Von Reisswitz (1811)

History

• Von Reisswitz - Kriegsspiel (1824)

• Capt Baring - UK (1872)

• Lt John Monash (1896)

• H.G. Wells - Little Wars (1913)

The Matrix?

• Matrix of words

• Gestalt

Copywrite

• Chris maintains a copywrite on the rules as they stand

• Primarily with regard to royalties arising from published scenarios

• However he is keen to assist others to develop the game

References

• Hamster Presshttp://www.io.com/~hamster/

• Wargames developmentshttp://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~warden/

• Magwebhttp://www.magweb.com/

• Yahoo grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/MatrixGamer

Military Uses

• Actual

– Scenario development

– General education

Military Uses

• Potential

– Courses of action– Interplay between organisations/ staff– Broad concept to focused issue– Develop MEL

Why

• Structured

• Arguments and reasons recorded in sequence

• Can be reviewed/ replayed

• Rulings can be altered

• Issues can be further examined

An Example Game

The best way to learn is to try it

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina

• Written by Tim Gow (UK)The date is early April 1982. A few days ago, Argentine forces

invaded the Falkland Islands, which the Junta claims, are the Islas Malvinas, historically part of Argentina. The United Nations has passed Resolution 502 calling for the withdrawal of Argentine troops.

A British task force is being readied and its first units, including elements of the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines are ready to sail for the South Atlantic. The British Government has declared a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ) around the Falklands.

The game lasts up to 8 turns, each representing approximately 10 days.

Players

• Argentina

• Chile

• UK Taskforce

• UK Government

• US President

• US Secretary of State

• UN Secretary

Rules

• Players take turns to make arguments

• Each argument must have 3 supporting reasons

• 7 standard turns with 1 final argument each about how the game will end

Lets Play

Post Game Analysis

Designing Games and Scenarios

Designing Games

• Plot

• Actors

• Motives

• Stage and props

Dunnigan

• Keep it simple

• Plagiarize– “use available techniques”

Zen and the Art of Scenario Design

• “When one prepares a meal, he places foremost in his mind the goal of pleasing the diner.”

• “It should be flavorful, complex, interesting, tasty. It should be nutritious and healthy,and balanced. It should be filling, yet not stuffing.”

• “The appearance of an unusual, yet wonderful dish can multiply the enjoyment of a fine meal.”

• “Serve not rice gruel at a dinner party… In a very elegant and complex dish, there could be many spices competing for attention.”

Other Games and Thoughts

Nomic

• Peter Suber, philosopher

• A game about changing the rules– The rules describe how to change themselves– The game evolves

http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/nomic.htm

Disguised Scenarios

• Remove historical bias

• Reduce pre-conceived ideas

Closed Games

• Players do not have perfect information

• Information limited by time

• What are the effects

References

Paddy Grifith

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/PaddyGriffith/index.htm

Free Kriegsspiel

http://home.freeuk.net/henridecat/

The strategy page

http://www.strategypage.com/

The End

Questions?

masont@bigpond.com

todd.mason@defence.gov.au

Drama Theory

• Another formalised moderated committee game

• Strategies

• Outcomes

• Preferences

http://www.dramatec.com/index.html