Applying deception in wargaming: introducing limited intelligence into wargames

Curry, J ORCID: 0000-0003-2872-0678 (2026) Applying deception in wargaming: introducing limited intelligence into wargames. History of Wargaming Project, London. ISBN 9798271791659

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Abstract

Limited intelligence is pivotal in wargaming because it realistically simulates the uncertainty and unpredictability of real-world operations. When players only have partial information, they must make decisions based on assumptions and incomplete data, just as military leaders do in actual conflict. This not only tests their analytical skills and adaptability but also exposes them to the risks and consequences of misjudgement, fostering a deeper understanding of operational complexity. In real warfare, deception exploits this limited intelligence and is used to mislead opponents, mask intentions, and create opportunities. This book is packed full of practical examples of how wargamers can include limited intelligence, and opportunities for deception, into their games. A wide range of game mechanisms simulating ‘the fog of war’ are discussed; from hidden scenarios, to uncertainty about the enemy order of battle. Uncertainty, also makes hobby games more interesting as it increases the challenge where players are compelled to develop robust strategies for gathering information, interpreting ambiguous signals, and managing the unknown.

Item Type:	Book
Keywords:	applying deception in wargaming, limited intelligence in wargames, fog of war mechanics, wargame deception techniques, military wargaming methods, history of Wargaming series, realistic wargame design, wargame uncertainty mechanics, deception in military simulations, professional wargaming tools
Subjects:	U Military Science > U Military Science (General)
Divisions:	Bath School of Design
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2026 19:38
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2026 11:39
References:	The two key works are: The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War by Thaddeus Holt. This is the single most comprehensive history of Allied deception operations in WWII. It covers Dudley Clarke, the London Controlling Section, Joint Security Control, and the full evolution of deception doctrine. It’s massive, meticulously sourced, and widely regarded as the definitive reference. The Art and Science of Military Deception- Hy Rothstein & Barton Whaley (eds.) This is the core theoretical text. It compiles the essential scholarship on how deception works, its principles, traditions, and applications across domains (air, naval, ground, irregular warfare). It’s the closest thing the field has to a doctrinal and conceptual “handbook”. Holt sets out the key the operational and historical context, while Rothstein & Whaley sets out the theory and the analytical canon. Wargaming Literature The literature on deception and limited intelligence is scattered across the wargaming books, articles but largely is found in games designs. John Curry (2024) Dark Places: Professional Wargaming of Dark Themes, History of Wargaming Project. This has the classic hidden scenario game where the players are eventually told they were actually running a work camp in Nazi Germany. Classic Studies & Doctrinal Analyses Barton Whaley (1969) Stratagem: Deception and Surprise in War. is a comprehensive analytical study of how deception and surprise actually work in warfare, built from over 100 historical case studies and supported by extensive data tables and cross‑tabulations Roger Beaumont (1982) Maskirovka: Soviet Camouflage, Concealment and Deception. A detailed study of Soviet doctrine, covering strategic, operational, and tactical deception, and the psychology behind Soviet approaches. Richard K. Betts (1982) Surprise Attack: Lessons for Defense Planning. Explores how deception enables surprise and why surprise succeeds, with implications for intelligence and planning. Michael Handel The Theory and Practice of Deception There is no single book by Handel titled The Theory and Practice of Deception. Instead, the phrase refers to a body of work he produced across multiple essays and chapters dealing with strategic surprise, intelligence failure, military deception and the psychology of warning and perception. Anthony Cave Brown (1975) Bodyguard of Lies. A sweeping (if sometimes controversial) narrative of Allied deception in WWII, including Fortitude and Double Cross. R. V. Jones Most Secret War (1978) A first‑hand account of scientific intelligence and deception in WWII, including radar spoofing and countermeasures. Operational & Tactical Deception Gary J. Bjorge (1986) Deception Operations. A U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute bibliography with extensive listings of books, articles, and government reports on deception, camouflage, and concealment. Includes Soviet, U.S., and historical case studies and is excellent for building a research library. Various authors, included in Rothstein & Whaley anthology. Tactical Deception in AirLand Warfare. This explores deception at the brigade–division level, including OPFOR insights from the National Training Center. Psychological The Psychology of Deception (in Rothstein & Whaley anthology). This has a ‘deep dive’ into how and why deception works on human observers, including cognitive biases and perceptual vulnerabilities. Also in the anthology, see Cognitive Factors in Deception and Counter Deception. This explores how analysts misinterpret signals and how deception exploits analytic habits.
URN:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17537

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