The title of this article may sound like a boring beginning to an often abused subject, but my intention in this article is to help you enjoy the wargames you play by breaking down the reasons why we play wargames, and give you a means of assessing the games you do play. There are three reasons why we play wargames:

1. To simulate history;

Wargamers are usually divided by the eras they play. Ancient, Napoleonic, WWII, Future, Fantasy, etc. Even science fiction (SF) or fantasy rules are based on books which can be perceived as "history". Most players will have a group of eras they prefer, and rules are based on the inventor's perception of what actually happened. The universal cry of "that's not historical!", is familiar to all (I even heard of a fantasy player who said, "that's not in Tolkien"). This attempt to recreate history does have its pitfalls. One of my friends was so irritated by another's relentless drive for historical accuracy (especially when he was losing) that he had the other set up the Battle of Denmark Straits (in which the HMS Hood was blown up), asked for and received the Bismark, then simply picked up the Hood and said, "Game over".

2. As a vehicle for competition;

Humans are naturally competitive, and wargames provide a safe outlet for competition. Outwitting your opponent is highly satisfying. Chess is an example of the most purely competitive wargame, and also the least historically accurate. Even roleplaying games are a competition, you against the environment setup by the gamemaster, and/or the other players.

3. Emotional satisfaction;

This general field includes such aspects of wargaming as visual impact, the thrill of victory, and bragging rights. Everyone who plays wargames enjoys a successful cavalry charge, blowing up a Tiger tank, or doing massive internals to a Klingon Battlecruiser.

How does defining these reasons help us to enjoy wargames? All games are made up of a combination of these three factors. What you have to do is decide what mix you enjoy most. I personally do not feel historical accuracy is as important as competition and emotional satisfaction. I think that attempts to achieve historical accuracy makes rules too complex, and often limitations (especially in command structures) strap your own innovation. I also like to cover the battlefield in well painted miniatures and "kill' them, what I call "high body count". There is no "right" balance for everyone. You must decide what you prefer. Try different rules systems and eras, and decide which ones satisfy your own mix of reasons to play. The most important things to remember are to have fun and keep an open mind when you play.