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Reply To: Scale and Abstraction in Gaming

November 22, 2018 at 9:01 pm #1305789

limburger

21709xp

I do think ‘scale’ is an issue if you look at it as ‘wargame is a simulation’.

So yeah, a machinegun that can’t hit beyond 90 meters in a universe featuring gigantic mechs is *eh* weird and definitely ‘unrealistic’.

However if you approach it as a mechanical puzzle (‘3D chess with pretty gaming pieces’) then the issue of scale becomes an issue of balance. Units move at speeds and have have the given ranges because it creates an interesting challenge. Not because it is ‘realistic’ or ‘immersive’.
Terrain itself provides a different parameter to solving the rock-paper-scissors-lizard-spock puzzle in front of you.

I think this is why I’m not bothered by the scale/ranges in games …

Speaking of ‘scale’ and ‘range’. We’ve covered miniature sizes, speed/movment and ranges of weapons.

How realistic are squad coherency distance rules in games ?
I’m guessing even that isn’t anywhere near ‘realistic’ ?