NOTE – THE RULES ARE IN DEVELOPMENT AND I AM GATHERING THOUGHTS IN PUBLIC!

Wargaming World Solo Ruleset 

Introduction 

I would say my wargaming journey so far could be distinguished into two distinct periods. One being my teenage years, just starting out with this hobby, and my adult years, sticking to a solo game which I know I enjoy. From 1983 to 1993, I can fondly remember developing a love for wargaming, playing with friends and playing an expansive set of games, like Warhammer, English Civil War and DBA. I know many can relate to this feeling, when a social and experimental side of the game was a huge part of the excitement of wargaming. 

The second period, being from 2003 onwards, in my adult experience of this hobby, where (excluding occasional virtual games) I have played entirely solo. This has been an incredibly enjoyable experience, despite my love for this hobby originating partly to do with the social factor. And since I am still a sociable person, I attend local wargames shows and have reached out to many other wargamers internationally to discuss or play with others who enjoy the game on the same level I do. However, somewhat at the hands of covid opening up new doors, a virtual form of wargaming has been greatly successful for me. Starting my youtube channel https://youtube.com/@WargamingWorld and joining or making facebook groups has allowed me to meet more people and play a wider variety of games. What it has also done, is opened my eyes to the growing demand for solo play. This became apparent to me when I added the word Solo to the name of a facebook group I had made, and the attention, traction and engagement it got grew immensely. Seeing so many people with a mutual interest in solo wargaming bringing their joy for the game to these facebook groups every day has been an amazing experience. So for all of this involvement, I say thank you, and that I hope these rules provide a new and enjoyable way to play.

This rule set is dedicated to friends past and the virtual community of today.

Wargaming World Solo 

This ruleset is designed entirely with the solo wargamer in mind. Moreover, I must emphasise that this set of rules is written in the way I like to play, which is something unique to each player. And since the enjoyment of the game is so individual to each wargamer, I thought it would be somewhat impossible and fairly futile to attempt to gather the general consensus of the solo player as whatever results were produced still wouldn’t fit the ideal play of every wargamer out there. And neither will this set of rules exactly . Which is why the book is completely open to be adapted, shaped and interpreted in whatever way will produce a successful and enjoyable game for you, something I strongly encourage. From my involvement with social media, I can observe that some people enjoy the game for different reasons and in different ways. Some enjoy exact detail and accurate representation, down to uniforms and vehicles. Some like structured rules to follow to the letter. They may think: How could a game be fair otherwise? Or how can you compete if rules are interpreted differently? Some players, on the contrary, enjoy a relaxed and simplistic play. Some play with an extensive set of figures and buildings, while others represent elements of the game with counters or cards, not to mention board wargame players, like the uncle who produced my first game of the Battle of Waterloo. 

That is why I welcome players to change what doesn’t work for them, and play the game they enjoy. Recognise that this book is written the way I enjoy my games, which may be different to the way you enjoy yours.

At this point, I will acknowledge that creating a wholly original wargaming framework is impossible. It is impossible for anyone to create a game without influence or emulation of certain rulesets, especially depending on the time and setting of the wargame. As well as the fact that there are undoubtedly rulesets out there I haven’t seen which may have similar principles to mine. Therefore, I think it’s important to recognise that by describing the game I enjoy playing, I will reference and follow a path well trodden. The games I play on my youtube channel include the following: 

All of these games are absolutely terrific and I have been fortunate enough to connect with a number of their creators, which I greatly appreciate. 

For those I may miss, please accept my apologies. With a plethora of Donald Featherstone originals, Miniature Wargames magazines and Wargames Illustrated magazines, I begin to question whether there can be a new way to wargame, with the basic process move, shoot, fight morale. My answer is in the originality of a new solo opponent: Artificial Intelligence. 

Thank you,

Greg Ward June 2023

My YouTube “How to play NUTS” video – with thanks to Ed Teixeira and John Cunningham