Gaming the Past

Battlefield Academy

Reviewed by Channing Nunez, CCDS ’07

Battlefield Academy, a tactical driven simulation presented by The BBC Multimedia Zone is a very interesting yet tedious simulation that is presented in a manner that doesn’t demonstrate its true potential for classroom use. Battlefield Academy begins by giving very thorough information regarding the principles of war, featuring such aspects as the importance of morale in battle, the necessity for a flexible battle plan, and what the simulation calls, “economy of effort”, regarding the need to “avoid wasting resources, either of men or material”. The simulation includes four missions: Roman, Medieval, Napoleonic, and WWII. The game’s potential is most evident in the advice feature of the simulation that allows you to seek the advice of various historical generals such as Caesar, Boudicca, Wellington, and Montgomery. The advice screen presents you with not only the general’s methods in warfare, but a brief biography including a description of their successes in war and the relevance of their advice, thus allowing players to discover the outcome of each battle if they had been led by these historical figures. The mission objectives at the beginning of the simulation outline your goals and also the various battle units you will be utilizing to achieve them. A fairly detailed description is given for each unit allowing a better understanding of the infantry during the specific time period. An interesting feature to point out in this simulation is the role terrain plays in an army’s defensive abilities. The simulation realistically incorporates the advantages one may have from fighting on a hill over fighting in a wooded terrain.

Though the potential is great for this simulation the tedious game-play is an extreme drawback. While a decision on your part may take only a few minutes, the computer’s AI process takes nearly twice as long as does the actually battling part of the simulation making it difficult to complete a mission, a requirement for unlocking the others. While the game-play is poorly executed the historical accuracy and interpretation aspects allow for students to better understand the various aspects of battle.

Historical Sources:

• Polybius’ Description of the Roman Army (6.19-26) (discusses importance of morale in battle)
• Josephus, The Roman Army in the First Century (describes the basic structure of the Roman army and the setup of the Roman camp)
• Dr. Mike Ibeji (for BBC), An Overview of Roman Britain (provides historical background for the Mission 1 objectives and details on Boudicca and Caesar)

Time for Gameplay: 3 turns takes roughly 30 minutes. It is possible to logout and continue a mission at a later time.

Key Elements of the Game Interpretation/ Areas for Comparison with Historical Evidence:

• The setup of the Roman camp in Mission 1
• Weaponry and unit descriptions
• Significance of the outlined principles of war (morale, terrain, security, concentration of force, etc.

Battlefield Academy Special Edition: Battle of Trafalgar

Reviewed by Doug Sberna, CCDS ’07

The Battle of Trafalgar: Battlefield Academy Special Edition is a good tactical simulation of one the most significant naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The student is given the role of Lord Viscount Nelson and control of the British fleet at Trafalgar. As Nelson the student must fight the French as well or better than Nelson: Defeat is not an option! The beginning of the simulation clearly explains all the rules of the battle. The fighting is turn-based: the student will move all the ships in his fleet, and then the computer (the French) will move its fleet. If ships are within firing rage of each other, there will be a short skirmish. A turn is complete when both sides have moved all their ships or engaged all close enemies. The student is given 30 turns to fight the French, and then is rated on how well or poorly they compare with Lord Nelson’s victory. The simulation also offers accurate advice for victory in the form of information on Nelson’s previous victories such as St. Vincent and Santa Cruz. The advice includes information on the background, the scenario, the action, what Nelson did to win, the Outcome of the battle, and the lesson to be learned from the specific battle. The simulation is a good way to learn what is was like to lead such a large group of ships and still win, and it will also help students appreciate what a brilliant leader Nelson was. Also it shows the importance of ship strength and supplies. The names of the ships that were present are not included in the information, specifically the Victory, Nelson’s flagship.

Historical Sources:

• • The Nov. 7, 1805 copy of the London Gazette.
  • Nelson’s memorandum on tactics used at Trafalgar.

Time for Gameplay: 1 hour minimum. The simulation takes a long time to play through to the end, but the advice and historical info can be accessed easily at any time.

Key Elements of the Game Interpretation/ Areas for Comparison with Historical Evidence:

• The effect of naval tactics on the outcome of a battle. Could divide and conquer work or is Nelson theory of charging right at the enemy the right tactic?
• The types of ships that were present at the battle. Were smaller ships such as frigates and sloops important to the fight or was victory only based up the ships of the line?
• Nelson’s brilliance as a naval tactician and the importance of the British’s complete victory at Trafalgar.