February 2025 - ArtMesa

Playing the Bad Guys: Ethics, Wargaming, and Finding the Right Fit

On February 16, 2025 By Artmesa In Game Rules, Miniatures

I prefer to play as the bad guys. Almost universally, in every game I play. I’m not entirely sure why, but I suspect it has to do with my discomfort with the ethics of wargaming itself. When a game simulates warfare, there’s an underlying tension—what does it mean to revel in strategic battles where pretend lives are at stake? Playing the bad guys removes this moral ambiguity. Their objectives are clear: conquest, destruction, or domination. And if …

What is a “Feel-Bad Surprise Game Rule”?

On February 16, 2025 By Artmesa In Game Rules, Miniatures

I’m not a particularly competitive player. Sure, winning is fun, but for me, the main goal of playing a game is the experience—not just racking up victories. I care more about everyone at the table having a good time. That said, there’s one thing that can ruin a game for me: surprise game rules. Surprise Game Rules Suck When you’re learning a new game, it’s natural to lose at first. You pick up strategies, improve, and eventually …