Game Theory Definition:  Zero-Sum Games
[Documents/02.1-ZeroSum.txt]
Joseph Grace, 27 Sep 93

Hi wargamers!

To follow-up Ernest's request for wargame definition, I thought the game theory definition for "zero-sum game" might help us focus our wargame definition.  A zero-sum game is your typical, competitive game: there's a limited amount of territory/money/prizes and only one (or a few) of the players will get (or share) the winnings.  All the other players "lose".
	I don't know if "zero-sum" is how we want to define our idea of "wargame", but "zero-sum" does pretty much capture the typical, competitive strategy/tactics wargame spirit.
	By this definition, the following would be "wargames":

- classical games (chess, go)
- strategy board games (Risk, Diplomacy)
- tactical wargames (Ogre, Squad Leader, SPQR [roman])
- strategic wargames (Third Reich)
- minatures (Harpoon, the one used for Hunt for Red October)
- computer war games (xconq, empire)  [<-- I'm unfamiliar/guessing here! Joe]

and the following would not:

- role-playing games (rogue, Ultima, MultiUserDungeons (MUD))
- socio-political simulations (SimCity)

Again, from a game implementers's perspective, I am not sure how useful this definition is, but "zero-sum" does describe the "competitive" aspect of wargaming.

[The following inspiration may be superfluous if Don Yacktman's kits already cover this area.  I would love to read an overview of the Don's kits, if one is readily available!  In any case, my attempt at inspiration follows!]

I think it might be useful to distinguish between single-player, multi-player, and multi-simulated-player up front.  Single-player games would not be wargames since they have no competition per se.  The six "wargames" listed above all have multiple players and could all benefit from a game refereeing engine to referee play.  So, perhaps a multi-player game referee'ing engine would be a good first project, since all the zero-sum games have competition and require multiple players (even if simulated).
	For multi-simulated-play, the player simulation engines could tie into the refereeing engine as though they were normal players.  These player simulations could then be independent projects all their own.

I hope this helps or at least inspires!

Cheers,

= Joe =

p.s., anybody want to start a role-playing game kit group? :-)