WBC 2025: Smith & Herman Unpack Wargaming's Design Future

The recent interview videos from the World Boardgaming Championships (WBC) featuring design stalwarts Gregory M. Smith and Mark Herman are not merely a peek behind the curtain; they are a masterclass in the very craft of wargame creation, offering an unvarnished perspective from architects who have shaped entire genres. These discussions provide a rare glimpse into the future of strategic tabletop experiences and the foundational principles that drive the next generation of complex simulations. For any Game Master or player seeking to understand the 'why' behind elegant design, these conversations are essential viewing, dissecting the very essence of what makes a wargame endure.

When Smith and Herman speak, the conversation inevitably gravitates towards the beating heart of any wargame: its mechanics. Herman, a pioneer of the Card-Driven Game (CDG) system, undoubtedly touched upon the elegant tension created by multi-use cards, where every decision is a push-pull between operational action and event impact. His designs rarely feature extraneous chrome; instead, they distil complex historical scenarios into tight, impactful choices that challenge players to manage uncertainty and opportunity cost. The genius lies in how these systems force players to internalize historical constraints and opportunities, making the mechanics themselves a narrative device. It’s not just about moving units; it’s about resource allocation in the broadest sense, where even a well-timed card play can represent a significant shift in strategic momentum. This isn't just crunch; it's crunch *as* narrative, demanding players think several turns ahead and adapt to the evolving strategic landscape. For instance, in games like Mark Herman's 'Washington's War', the strategic choices are inextricably linked to the historical context, a hallmark of his design philosophy.

Beyond the elegant gears of their systems, both designers are celebrated for their profound ability to imbue their games with a potent sense of historical and thematic authenticity. For Smith, whose designs often tackle sweeping, grand-strategic conflicts, the 'lore' isn't a separate entity but the very fabric of the game state. His intricate orders of battle, detailed maps, and nuanced victory conditions aren't just rules; they are meticulously researched historical simulations that force players to confront the same logistical, political, and military challenges faced by historical commanders. It's about understanding the *why* behind the *what*. Herman's CDGs, while often more abstracted, achieve a similar effect by framing historical events not just as static facts, but as dynamic forces that shape the battlefield. The 'event' text on a card isn't just flavor; it's a historical inflection point that players must react to, integrating the narrative directly into the strategic calculus. This isn't abstract strategy; it's strategic immersion, where the choices you make resonate with historical echoes, elevating the player experience beyond mere victory conditions.

The implications of these interviews for the wargaming community are substantial. For veteran players, these discussions offer a deeper appreciation for the craft, potentially inspiring new perspectives on how they approach their own campaigns and even their own homebrew scenarios. For newer enthusiasts, it's an invaluable lesson in what constitutes thoughtful, enduring design – a bulwark against the tide of superficial complexity or endless errata that plagues many modern releases. What these interviews underscore is a commitment to depth over flash, to systems that reward repeated play and strategic mastery. The 'table feel' of a Smith or Herman game is rarely one of casual dice-chucking; it's a tense, cerebral engagement, often punctuated by moments of profound realization as a grand strategy unfolds (or unravels). These designers are pushing the boundaries not by adding more rules, but by refining the interaction of existing ones, ensuring every decision carries weight. It's a call to arms for thoughtful design, reminding us that true innovation often comes from a deep understanding of core principles, not just chasing the next shiny mechanic. This focus on deliberate, historically informed mechanics ensures that their upcoming projects will continue to elevate the genre, demanding player engagement that transcends mere tactical execution and fosters a deeper appreciation for the art of game design itself.