This document discusses how studying military science principles can help game developers and players. It outlines the author's personal journey of researching these topics to become a better player and designer. Some key lessons covered include territory control, defense in depth, and tactics like flanking and ambushing. The document suggests game developers could incorporate more tactical AI, multiplayer tutorials on formations, and e-sports training based on military tactics.

1. Military Science
for Game Developers

2. Mii
David Baron

3. I’ve worked as a ...
Programmer Artist Designer

4. Studios

5. Discussion Overview
● The key points of military science and principals.
● My personal journey in researching the topic.
● How it can help you as a designer and player.

6. Warning
● I’m not a soldier and I have never served.
● A lot of experts may disagree with my opinions on the matter.
● I’m simplifying and deconstructing a very complex subject.

7. How did I get started?

9. Flanking?
Patrol Path?
Cover?
Ambushing?

10. My initial reading material ...

11. I became a better
player ...

12. … and a better
designer.

13. So what is war?

15. Violence & Death?

16. No, that’s incidental!

17. It’s all about power?

18. But how do you gain true power?

19. By conquering!

20. But what are you trying to conquer,
gain and control?

21. Oil …

22. … and people!

23. No these are just pawns!

24. My answer?

25. Territory!

26. At its most basic?

27. It’s about marking
your territory.

28. Borders

29. Chess

30. How do you win in
chess?

31. By defeating all your
opponent’s pieces?

32. Or by taking control
of the board?

33. You defeat your opponent by
immobility not destruction.

34. We fight and play
to dominate
territory.

36. Beat the level!

37. Nature

40. Do we play to learn
the skills to resolve
conflict?

41. War is the highest
expression of human
conflict.

42. History

43. The birth of a hobby ...
Kriegsspeil Little Wars by H.G. Wells
Simulation Gamification

44. The line of influence ...
Gary Gyax
Wargamer
Romero & Carmack

45. Fundamentals

46. Strategy & Tactics
Strategist Tactician Soldier
Long Term Short Term Instant
TIME
RESOURCES

47. Player Types
Planner Stealther Rambo
Likes to execute according to a
plan.
Likes to take decisions while
being on the battlefield.
Likes to provoke situations
and then react accordingly.
PATIENCE?
TIME TO ACTION

48. Playtest Observation

49. Rainbow Six - Raven Shield

50. The Principals

52. Principals, strategies, concepts ...
● Concentration of effort
● Economy of force
● Maintenance of reserves
● Unity of command
● Defense in depth

53. Defense in depth

54. Tactical Value

56. Interesting or tactically valuable?

57. The Kill Zone

58. GTA5 - The Third Way

59. Triangulation

60. Observations
● Would the player choose the same tactical positions?
● Curving difficulty by breaking the player’s tactical advantage.

61. Suggestions

62. A.I. Tactical Depth
Smart (enemies)Stupid (enemies)
Cheating (enemies)Scripted (enemies)

63. Multiplayer Tutorials
● Teach tactics not just mechanics.
● Players are becoming more sophisticated.
● Trust your players with tactically aware enemies.
● Teach formations, how to maintain squad structure.

64. e-Sport
● Communication, squad consistency …
● Enhance team performances by training them in military tactics.
● Players are re-discovering military science to enhance their performances.

65. Training

66. Dslyecxi - Arma 3

67. References

68. The End