The mechanics of war

: a ludological study of a U.S. military-gaming assemblage

Abstract

Gaming and the U.S. Military are deeply entangled in a number of different contexts, including recruitment, design of simulations for training purposes, recreational use of games by soldiers, and rehabilitation of veterans. This thesis uses the concept of a ‘Military-Gaming Assemblage to explore these connections and co-functionings between gaming and the U.S. Military. I conceptualise a Military-Gaming Assemblage consisting of three individual areas of interaction between its parts: Simulations, Recruitment, and Welfare. This piece of work explores how these relationships function independently, and also in tandem with one another, to produce outcomes according to the capabilities and intentions of the actors within the assemblage, including the military, gaming industry, gamers, soldiers, veterans, charities, and even games themselves. One of the most significant aspects of this thesis is the adoption of a ludological approach to the study of games, and the military-gaming assemblage more generally: Ludology, sometimes also known as game studies, is the academic study of games. Ludological analysis recognises the unique aspects of games and gaming, such as their interactivity and ability to make arguments through their mechanics, that make them categorically distinct from other visual or narrative forms of media, such as films or books.

This thesis documents several significant findings: I consider the influence of gaming-led design practises on military equipment and simulations and discuss the resulting importance of being able to understand games ludologically. I examine the Military’s role in a ‘recruitment assemblage’ that relies on eSports, discussing how the relationship between gaming and recruitment has changed from that often described via a ‘Military-Entertainment Complex’. I also discuss the relationship between games and the welfare of soldiers and veterans, noting a gaming-facilitated erosion of the boundaries between free time and service, and a role played by veteran-gaming groups in responding to military austerity.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2026.

Date of Award	Dec 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS)
Supervisor	Michael Bourne (Supervisor) & Kieran McLaughlin (Supervisor)