1 – Easy To Manage Supply
I think the Strategic Mind series, particularly with games like Strategic Mind: Blitzkrieg, handles supply lines better than any other. It offers a transparent and engaging system where you can see exactly which hexes are supplying your units. A clear red line appears around any supply hex when a unit isn’t being supplied, making it fun and easy to plan how to disrupt enemy lines or improve your own. In contrast, many other games, like the Gary Grigsby War in the East/West series, Warplan, Strategic Command, and Operational Art of War 4, use a more numerical or abstracted approach. While these methods are functional, they often lack the visual clarity of the Strategic Mind series. Instead of relying on dice rolls or remembering a certain number of hexes from HQ, Strategic Mind simplifies the mechanics without losing the strategic depth, offering a much more enjoyable experience.
If I had my way, supply in wargames would be as engaging as the market manipulation in a game like Offworld Trading Company. Supply disruption is a critical element in any real-world battle, yet many games fail to make it a fun and interactive mechanic. This feels like a missed opportunity, especially given the parallels between business strategy and warfare. As Lawrence Freedman argues in his book Strategy: A History, business strategy may even offer a more precise understanding of how strategy works, since its principles are tested daily, unlike those of war.
Concluding Thoughts on Wargaming Needs
That wraps up my list. I know not every developer has the budget to implement all of these ideas, but for those with the funds—or the ambition to create something truly new—I believe these mechanics are worth considering. Pondering them could be the key to improving an upcoming game or finding the edge needed to succeed in a very competitive market.
About Chris Irwin: Chris is a very active member of the wargaming community and has an amazing group called Military History & PC Games: Strategy & Simulation where players get together to discuss wargames, strategy games and History as a whole. Make sure you join too!
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