Scenario Design, Gaming & Simulation
The Scenario Design, Gaming, & Simulations Lab (SGSL), operated by the University of Arizona National Security Initiatives (NSI) team, develops complex strategic, operational, and tactical scenarios for planning and decision-making that reflect interoperability across all domains and dimensions of the Inner Solar System Operational Environment. These scenarios encapsulate the Global Operational Environment in the broader context of growing reliance on space-based systems and increased competition in the Space Domain.
We incorporate gaming techniques to engage participants in interactive problem-solving and utilize simulations to model real-world environments and assess potential national security outcomes in areas such as defense, climate change, migration, food security, and crisis management. Supporting partners in all domains, our lab seeks to assist scenario and exercise designers/planners, wargame designers/facilitators, and simulation centers. We aim to create connections and networks across entities , break through silos to create operational interoperability, and enable greater understanding of our strengths and challenges in tomorrow’s OE.
FEATURED STORIES
Put Educational Wargaming in the Hands of the Warfighter
Wargaming has long been a crucial tool for military success, yet today, it risks becoming the exclusive domain of select officers rather than an accessible, educational exercise for all ranks. To truly harness its potential, the defense community must reintegrate wargaming as a vital intellectual exercise—one that strengthens decision-making, fosters adaptability, and provides leaders with critical battlefield experience in a low-risk environment.
"Failure in a wargame is not final but an opportunity to learn a new method of success," the article argues. By embracing educational wargaming at the tactical level, the military can build a better-prepared force, leveraging historical lessons and new technologies to break the cycle of wargaming booms and busts.
Just Let Them Compete: Raising the Next Generation of Wargamers
Wargaming is shaping the future of military strategy, guiding critical discussions and innovation across the defense community. From the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warrior wargame tackling anti-access/area denial to Unified Quest 2019 exploring AI in warfare, these games analyze everything from autonomous weapons to geopolitical crises.
Yet, wargaming’s success depends on its designers. Currently, the field relies on a small group of experienced professionals, with few young wargamers being trained to take their place. Without a structured pipeline to recruit and educate new talent, the future of military wargaming remains uncertain.
INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGN TEAM
Our Interdisciplinary Design Team (IDT) convenes more than 200 years of experience in national defense, spans two nations and represents multiple military branches. Comprising former officers (enlisted, non-commissioned, and commissioned), DOD contractors, and academic experts, the team has expertise in conventional and special operations at every echelon. Our IDT members are consultants, certified instructors, course designers, and leaders of programs, teams, sites, and projects. We have an extensive history of designing and facilitating numerous scenarios, exercises, wargames, and simulations for both operational forces and workforce education. Find out more about the team