Matrix Games
The essence of Matrix Games is that they allow you to do whatever you want to, so long as you can make a logical argument. The "Matrix" of the title is really just your mental picture of what the game world is. It is by definition incomplete! We never know much about what is going on around us. Fortunately our brains solve this for us by automatically imposing order on what we see, and potently the players can proactively change the nature of the matrix by offering arguments.
Chris Engle - the creator of matrix games - has used them for murder mysteries, spy games, fantasy quests, intrigues, military campaigns and political games. He has also - as a Psychotherapist - used them to treat violent children and alcoholics!
Matrix games can form the basis of a great day long mini wargames campaign for 6 or so players. The matrix game provides the context for the battles. I've run them a few times Absolutely fab. In such a campaign you play a leading general of the period. Each turn you get to make one argument/order about what you want to happen that turn. You can make arguments for your side, to cause problems for the other side, or to change the rules! The game is played on a simple area map. Miniature figures or counters are moved around on the map to reflect the location of military forces. Battles are fought using an abstract system or transferred to the table top - typically using something like DBA.
Campaign Rules for a Matrix Game
Devised by Chris Engle, revised by Steven Thomas
The essence of Matrix Games is that they allow you to do whatever you want to, so long as you can make a logical argument. You play a leading general of the period. Each turn you get to make one argument/order about what you want to happen that turn. You can make arguments for your side, to cause problems for the other side, or to change the rules! (No more than one level of rule change.)
The game is played on a simple area map. Miniature figures or counters are moved around on the map to reflect the location of military forces.
Sequence of play
The referee decides who presents their argument first. (Randomly?) These principles dictate who goes next:
1. The player who is most affected by previous argument should present their argument next. For example, because they have been ambushed.
2. Then any player who wishes to apply their argument to the forces of either of the immediate protagonists has a go. For example, ambush a moving force. An so on.
3. The situation is then resolved.
Battles are resolved as they occur (including Open Battles, Skirmishes, and Ambushes).
Creating Arguments
You write your arguments on your “Matrix Game Playsheet” using water soluble pens. The cues provided may help construct arguments. They are based on common wargaming terms. Arguments are structured as follows: an action, a result, and 3 reasons why the argument should succeed.
Example - Action: (Normal March) My army moves from France to Austria, via Wurttemburg and Bavaria. Result: (Open Battle) We will fight the first army we encounter. Reasons: (Prepare) The army is ready to go. (Supply Lines) Our supply lines are good. (Victory) I always win!
Example - Action: (Terrain ) I intend to reinforce the defences of the city. Result: (Tactical Advantage) To make it harder to attack. Reasons: (Love) I have the support of the population. (Fear) The enemy are threatening to attack at any moment. (Personal Ability) I have the engineering expertise needed.
You may not present an argument which is, in effect, an order to troops not under your direct control, unless you are senior to their actual commander. However, you may present an argument as to why they fail to carry out an order. You may always present an argument which contradicts that of your superior, provided the superior is not present. Such insubordination may incur the senior officer’s wrath!
Most arguments take effect in the turn they are presented, then stop. Sometimes the action or result of an argument may take several turns to complete. Any argument which is continuing in this way, will be cancelled when another argument affects the same force. For instance, a force which is ordered to march between two distant points will continue to do so until the destination is reached or another argument intervenes.
Matrix Argument Cues: Ambush, Anger, Battle Cry, Fatigue, Fear, Forced March, Halt, Large Formation, Love, Morale Increases/Decreases, Motivation, Normal March, Open Battle, Rally, Recruit/Desert, Rest/Prepare, Retreat, Rout, Shame, Skirmish, Small Formation, Supply Lines, Tactical Advantage, Terrain Effect, Victory/Defeat, Weather Effect
Resolving Arguments
The referee assess arguments for logical strength. The referee’s ruling is final. This affects the chance of success, determined by 1d6:
Irrefutable Any score
Very Strong 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6
Strong 3, 4, 5 or 6
Normal 4, 5 or 6
Weak 5 or 6
Very weak 6
Stupid Impossible
In general, the results of arguments are cumulative. Two directly conflicting results will cancel each other out. For example, if two players present this argument “attack other player (Action - Open Battle) and win (Result - Victory)” the nett result is an open battle fought with the battle rules.
Fighting Battles
Armies may be in the same area and not fight a battle. A battle only occurs when an argument says so. Use a simple set of rules for the battles. DBA is a good choice, or use Arthur Harman's Battle system for Matrix Games.
Victory Conditions
A player wins by best completing their personal goals. Players from the same side may share goals.
Play Sheets
In the games I ran each player got 2 x A4 sheets (plastic wrapped) with all the rules etc:
- First sheet
- Generic Rules for a Matrix Game
- Generic Rules for Battle Resolution (unless using DBA or some such)
- Second sheet
- Specific Campaign background and rules
- Playsheet for their specific General
I have word documents (zipped) containing the play sheets of a couple of Matrix campaigns.
Sources
Armatys, J. (2003 June). 1066: A Matrix Game of a Troubled year in English History. Wargames Illustrated, 177, 50-52.
Chris Engle's Home of Matrix Games
Chris invented Matrix Games and is the biggest promoter. He now has some commercial products.
Yahoo Matrix Gamer Discussion Group - MatrixGamer
The original Matrix Game discussion forum which was abandoned due to spam. Still interesting if you want to dig around in the archives.
Yahoo Matrix Gamer Discussion Group - MatrixGame2
The replacement discussion forum. Chris Engle is a key member of this group. They discuss the rules in general, and more significantly, they play games via the discussion forum. When I last looked they were getting ready to do a 1645 English Civil War campaign game set in Scotland. and Chris was running an ad hoc battle game to teach people about how battles were fought in this period.