Warfare in miniature is the simulation of hostile activities engaged in by the military components of a society in any past age. A wargamer models his figures and terrain to accurately depict the events of a period. This accuracy is the thread that ties any game into it's genre.

To achieve any accurate representation a modeler must be part historian, and research carefully the history he wants to imitate and bring to life. The miniature models and landscape created are the artistic product of talent, patience, and scholarly skill. This dedication to creating a form of interactive diorama lends a sense of maturity and pedagogy to what in essence is playing with toy soldiers.

What occurs in an historical wargame is an interaction based upon an agreed set of historical parameters. Usually an interest in the academic study of a time period will start the necessary labor needed to create the visual simulation. Wargame players who share this interest will combine their skills and knowledge to cooperate on a larger scale scenario. This participation is key to the hobby's structure.

An historical wargame is a participatory activity. History is being recreated upon the wargame terrain table-top. The players in this game- with any imagination- will put themselves into the character of the commander they are portraying. The love of history will guide the decisions and create an ambience to the game. Intelligent discussion is the highlight of a miniature wargame. These discussions and sharing of information lead to more historical inquiry and learning. A miniature wargame hobbyist who pursues history as a guideline is a student for life.

A wargame is historical if the figures depicting soldiers are accurately sculpted and painted. The scenario must reflect a period battle or campaign to an extent that the essence or flavor of combat is visually represented. Finally, the game mechanics must allow for the interaction of the playing pieces in an intelligent manner. This last bit of business is the most tricky, and one that causes the most argument about historical accuracy. There is no way imaginable to portray real historical combat with model soldiers!

It is impossible to create the real-life anxiety and terror inherent in warfare. It is only possible to visually represent movement, fire power, and melee in a reduced scale of the historical event. The perspective of the wargamer who is well-read in a period becomes vitally important. To keep a wargame within the historical parameters is his task.

Game mechanics that are loose enough will allow for sloppy play among sloppy wargamers. Historical integrity is only as accurate as the academic knowledge of the controlling wargamer. Historical integrity should be a conscious thought process that allows for intelligent reactions to the probable maneuvers and command decisions depicted in a game. However, restrictive rules sets are infinitely more tedious and depressing. By disallowing every original thought and creative command sollution they kill off any interest in the flexibility of the hobby. (Anytime you spend more time cross-referencing data in a rule book, than you spend looking at the figures and terrain, something is out of balance.)

The ultimate wargamer's skill is the ability to play within the period and also understand the level of participation demanded in the game. Some people love game format and want to discuss variations in mechanics or the "math" of the simulation- add infinitum. Others are specifically suited to playing a role as an historical figure and acting in character during the game. Aside from this, the history of an historical miniature wargame exists above the table in the minds and attitudes of the participants. It is the research, reading, rehashing, and recreating of historical incidents that make a game historical.