About GWS

What is the Generic Wargaming System?

The Generic Wargaming System (GWS) is a flexible tabletop wargaming system for exploring military operations from the Second World War to the near future. It provides a common framework for simulating land, air, naval and multi-domain operations through a consistent set of rules.

GWS focuses on the decisions commanders face rather than attempting to simulate every technical detail of military equipment and combat. It explores how information, manoeuvre, firepower, command, and morale interact to shape battlefield outcomes.

Whether recreating historical engagements, exploring hypothetical conflicts or designing fictional campaigns, GWS provides the tools to examine military operations using the same underlying game system.

The GWS Approach

Model the Decision. Not Every Detail.

Real military operations involve extraordinary complexity. Weapons, sensors, training, doctrine, terrain, communications and logistics all influence battlefield outcomes. GWS brings these factors together into a manageable set of game mechanics so that players can concentrate on the decisions that matter.

At the heart of GWS is the Kill Chain, the process of finding, identifying, targeting, engaging and assessing the enemy. GWS recognises that superior weapons alone do not guarantee success. A commander must obtain useful information, employ available forces effectively and respond when the enemy attempts to disrupt those efforts.

GWS uses a common game engine across different types of military operations. This allows players to explore increasingly complex situations without having to learn an entirely different system for each battlefield.

The GWS Ecosystem

One System. Many Battlefields.

GWS is more than a single rulebook. It is a modular ecosystem of rules, design tools, supplements, scenarios and campaigns. Each publication serves a distinct purpose while remaining part of the same system.

GWS Basic

The starting point for new players. GWS Basic introduces the fundamental mechanics of movement, detection, engagement and morale through a straightforward land-combat scenario.

GWS Core

The foundation of the entire system. GWS Core provides the complete rules framework for land, air, naval and multi-domain operations, including command, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, cyber operations and logistics.

GWS Designer

A practical guide to designing units, military formations, scenarios and campaigns. GWS Designer provides the tools to represent different historical periods, technologies and battlefield situations using the common GWS framework.

GWS Supplement

Supplements extend GWS into specialised forms of warfare or different operational scales. For example, Operational Combat expands the system from company- and battalion-level engagements to brigade- and division-level operations without replacing the underlying rules engine.

GWS Scenario

Ready-to-play engagements based on historical battles, hypothetical military situations or fictional conflicts. Each scenario provides the forces, objectives, deployment conditions and special rules needed to explore a particular battlefield challenge.

GWS Campaign

Campaigns connect individual scenarios into larger military operations. Decisions and outcomes from one engagement influence subsequent battles, allowing players to experience the longer-term consequences of command decisions.

Where Do I Begin?

You do not need to learn the entire GWS system before playing.

Start with GWS Basic to learn the essential game mechanics. Move to GWS Core when you are ready to explore more complex engagements involving multiple domains and specialised capabilities.

If you enjoy developing your own battles, GWS Designer provides the guidance you need to create units, scenarios, and campaigns. Supplements allow you to explore different scales and forms of warfare as your interests develop.

Alternatively, choose a ready-to-play GWS Scenario and begin exploring the decisions faced by commanders on the battlefield

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