Yesterday we conducted the second closed alphatest of the Allied Command Operations C2 wargame. This educational wargame is in development at the NATO Command and Control Centre of Excellence, and the results of the current progress are genuinely encouraging.
The game takes a hybrid deckbuilding/boardgame approach to multi-domain operations wargaming, with a strong focus on the Cross Domain Command Principles of SHARING, COLLABORATING and EMPOWERING, creating dynamic interaction between SHAPE, the Joint Force Commands and the individual component commanders. It explores not only the synergy between military domains, but also the interplay with non-TOA (Transfer of Authority) forces, industry, non-governmental organizations and other enablers. Because modern C2 does not stop at the military boundary.
This session confirmed that the core mechanics are landing, players quickly found themselves engaging with exactly the coordination and synchronization dilemmas the game is designed to surface. Just as valuable were the sharp observations from around the table, which give us a clear list of refinements for the next iteration.
