When is it too soon to wargame a conflict?

Is There Such a Thing as "Too Soon" in Wargaming? In this video, I revisit a question from the Joy of Six 2025 panel: When is it too soon to wargame a historical or current conflict? It’s a topic that sits at the crossroads of ethics, storytelling, and historical accuracy in our hobby. From civilian casualties and sensitive subject matter to the level of public visibility, I explore why context and audience matter more than ever in how we represent the past on the tabletop.

Whether you see wargaming as entertainment, education, or a bit of both, we can’t ignore the tough questions. Should we include war crimes? What about modern conflicts still in the headlines? Is historical wargaming at risk of becoming too sanitised?

I also reflect on my experience at the Joy of Six show, including a surprise appearance on the discussion panel alongside Peter Berry, Per Broden, and Heretical Wargaming.

Join me for a thoughtful dive into how we balance respect, realism, and storytelling—and let me know where you draw the line.

Proxy Miniatures in Historical Wargames

Is the use of proxy miniatures ethical in tabletop wargaming? In this video, we dive deep into the debate surrounding alternative miniatures, 3D-printed miniatures, and using non-proprietary figures in games that have official model ranges. Historical wargames have traditionally allowed players to choose from various miniature manufacturers, but when a wargame ruleset is tied to a specific line of official miniatures, does that change the equation?

I forgot to re-post this here on Sunday and was debating whether not not to do so a few days late. I feel like I kicked a hornet's nest with this topic, judging from some of the comments. Although my top-tip for some commentators is to actually watch the video you are passing judgment on before jumping to conclusions about my position on the topic! 🤣😂

#MiniatureWargaming #Wargaming #ProxyMiniatures #TabletopWargaming #HistoricalWargaming #3DPrintedMiniatures #MiniaturePainting #WargameEthics

Wargaming Modern Warfare: How soon is 'too soon'?

How soon after a conflict has ended, is it ok to wargame that period?  How soon is 'too soon'? This question discusses the ethics of making a game out of recent (or even ongoing) conflicts. Not discussed in the video (but encouraged in the discussion) is the question of whether the boundaries of what is acceptable are different for tabletop wargames versus computer wargames? I would also love to hear the perspective of Veterans of recent wars who wargame the period they fought in.