History in Gaming -- An Introduction

Posted by Ranillon on 24. August 2009 22:40

I would like to introduce a new series of irregular posts dealing with history and its relationship to gaming.  I happen to have a degree in the subject and all periods interest me, although I have a particular love of military history.  That fits gaming, especially Games Workshop games, since much of it deals with military concepts.  Heck, both 40K and Fantasy borrow liberally from own our history -- for instance, Bretonnia is just 14th century France and the Empire 16th century Germany, just with the names changed.  History, technology, and even science go together with Games Workshop quite naturally.  That's why I call this "Hstory in Gaming."  That is, the history and knowledge you find when you look more deeply into GW settings and systems.

I think if you give this new series a chance you'll like it.  After all, a big part of the appeal for games like Fantasy and 40K is their respective settings.  I plan on pointing out the relationship between what's gone before here on Earth and what's going on in the make-believe worlds of GW.  Likewise, you can learn something of the associated technology and customs, how the compare to our own.  It will give you a different perspective on these games we enjoy and in turn perhaps provide surprises you didn't see coming.

Here's an example of what I mean, although it doesn't pertain directly to GW.  Remember the movie The Hunt for Red October?  Great film, but it is in fact based on a false premise.  No, not just that the events it shows never actually occurred, but that in fact that they never could.  Part of the suspense of the film is the question of whether Captain Ramius is a would-be defector or a lunatic wanting to start World War III.  To demonstrate that characters within the movie worry that his plan is to come close enough to the United States to launch his sub's missiles.  It is that threat that the Soviets use in an attempt to trick the Americans into hunting down Ramius for them.

Only one little problem with this when compared to real life -- it's completely absurd.  You see, if Ramius was in fact a mad bomber looking to toast 50 million Americans he wouldn't need to sail to the U.S. Eastern seaboard to do so.  The missiles on a Typhon class ballistic submarine have the range to strike American targets from their home ports!  In other words, if Ramius wanted to blow up New York City he wouldn't need to leave home to do it.

Once you know this much of the premise of the movie makes no sense (the book it's based upon gets this right).  That doesn't make the movie any less great, but it does show how knowing a little about history and/or military technology can change your whole understanding of things.

Likewise, I hope to reveal similar interesting insights into the basis of the technology and cultures depicted in GW games and how the game mechanics suggest they work.  Some of the topics I have in mind include:

• A Short History of Early Firearms
• Does the Leman Russ Make Any Sense?
• Just why do Empire Troops Go Around in Leotards?
• Who Would Win -- The US Military or the Imperium?
• Do Dwarves Float?

And whatever else occurs to me over time.  I would also like to encourage people to ask questions.  Ever wondered how something related to Fantasy or 40K might work in real life?  Or, do you just have any burning question about history, technology, or science?  Please send them along.  One, it will allow me to indulge a lifelong passion of mine, and; two, it will give me more time to work on gaming projects before having to post about them!

So, stick around.  You may just learn something.