National Security Decision Making Game

The National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game is a fast-paced, challenging simulation of contemporary politics and eternal strategic principles. It is modeled after the simulations used by senior U.S. Government officials to explore geopolitical options.

Each of the players in this political-economic-military seminar game occupies a role in which he or she can affect the formulation of national policy in their country. Most players find NSDM to be intellectually stimulating, vigorously competitive, and unlike any other gaming opportunity they have ever had.

Players will receive instruction on the NSDM Game from former game directors and controllers from the U.S. Naval War College. The game will be directed by personnel from the Department of Defense with the assistance of subject matter experts.

Players will be assigned to individual roles within a variety of nation-states. "Real world" dynamics will inexorably draw these player-states toward cooperation in some areas and conflict in others. Meanwhile, within each state, players will inevitably find themselves aligned with some players in the pursuit of common goals, and against others as each seeks to obtain advantages for their interest group and achieve personal political ascendancy.

During the game, the game controllers will inject events that challenge the players' abilities to react, such as regional wars, massive outbreaks of disease, or major natural catastrophes causing heavy loss of life and property.

Unlike other war games where one "team" of players defeats other teams, in the NSDM Game all players are individually ranked by the degree to which they gain advantage for the group they represent.

If you are interested in playing, please email John Moser at jmoser1@ashland.edu on or before September 15.