About

The History of the IKS

A brief history by Marshall Neal

Southern California Kriegsspiel Society

The Southern California Kriegsspiel Society was established in 2013 in Los Angeles and gathered at the Strategicon Gaming Conventions at the LAX Hilton three times per year for in-person games. The events were immediately popular, and attracted dozens of players, but few umpires.

To cope with the challenge, the “So Cal System” of playing Kriegsspiel was developed. Based on Free Kriegsspiel, the system reduced the game to its essentials while using dice to objectify results. Other measures were adopted to streamline the experience, such as allowing players to draw orders on plexiglass overlaid on the maps and taking digital photos of the moves.

The Southern California Kriegsspiel Society was managed via a Facebook page, which grew in popularity over time. A number of persons from around the world asked to join, unsure if they would be allowed due to the geographic focus of the organization. In the interest of supporting the hobby, all persons were allowed to join and resources, such as maps, were made available for free.

In 2021, COVID restrictions shut down the conventions in Los Angeles. Unable to play face-to-face games, new ideas were developed to continue play. The use of new software programs such as Tabletop Simulator, Discord, and YouTube, enabled the digitization of the experience. These technologies had the added benefit of opening games to the global community.

A Gettysburg game during a SoCal in-person event. Note the pile of dispatches on the table, and the use of plexiglass to allow writing on the map.
Players discuss a strategic dilemma at an in-person event in front of a large map of the surroundings of Metz. Orders are drawn on a plastic overlay ontop of the map.
Players discuss a strategic dilemma at an in-person event in front of a large map of the surroundings of Metz. Orders are drawn on a plastic overlay ontop of the map.
Master Umpire Mark Luta oversees the Germans during "Operation Typhoon" (from left to right: Kurt Keckley, Mike Sheeter, Matt Elstein, Mark Luta).
Kurt Keckley explains the German strategy during debrief on a SoCal in-person event (from left to right: Mike Sheeter, Matt Elstein, Kurt Keckley, Mark Luta, Nick Werner).
Everybody is welcome to join and play Kriegsspiel, no matter the experience grade, historical knowledge, gender, or social background.
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Screenshot taken from Tabletop Simulator during a turn resolution of the game of Grand Gettysburg, with 34 players total, plus umpires, a huge live Kriegsspiel played in August 2021, showing the final situation around Cemetery Hill.
Screenshot taken from Tabletop Simulator of a French assault columns attacking British forces during a game inspired by the battle of A Coruña in 1809.
Screenshot taken in Tabletop Simulator showing the assumed situation of a player and drawn orders for the units under their command.
French heavy cavalry is ordered to charge fleeing enemy battalions on a 3D terrain map used in Tabletop Simulator.
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International Kriegsspiel Society

On May 31, 2021, the International Kriegsspiel Society was established. The purpose of the society is to promote and preserve Kriegsspiel as a hobby for learning and fun, and to engage with professional Kriegsspiel and wargaming communities.

The association grew and in August 2021 hosted “Grand Gettysburg,” a fictional re-imagining of the battle, which included around 50 participants. At that time, it was the largest, real-time, online Kriegsspiel ever played outside of the military.

Since then, the society continues to host games on a weekly basis, as well as providing training to people who want to learn how to umpire and manage their own games. Large play-by-post games are also offered, with the largest (WWII – D-Day) now including about 100 persons (as of spring, 2022). The community has no formal membership requirements or roster, but over 2,000* persons have joined the Discord Server, and another 1,630* follow the community on YouTube.

Several members have pioneered improved systems of play, created digital assets and modules, as well as maps for use. The community also offers support and expertise to anyone interested in in the game for any reason.

* Last updated in February 2024

Member portraits

Learn about some of our members, their experience with and approach to Kriegsspiel.

Logo of the International Kriegspiel Society with Discord's logo in the center.

Join the Discord

Join our Discord server and become part of a growing community of over 2,000 members from all around the globe.

Logo of the IKS, showing the globe and classical Kriegsspiel pieces in the center, surrounded by a circle of national flags and "International Kriegsspiel Society – Aut Caesar Aut Nihil Alea Iacta Est" on the outer ring.

Contact us

Get in touch either on Discord or via e-mail, leave us some feedback or suggestions or ask us anything about Kriegsspiel.

Logo of the Derby House Principles. A 20-sided die with white edges, the faces of the die are in plentyful colors, resembling the pride flag.

Our pledge

The IKS is commited to ensure inclusiveness and diversity within the community and stands against discrimination and harassment.

We endorse the Derby House Principles.

The IKS around the globe

With more than 2,000 members on the Discord server and more than 350 members in the Facebook group, the International Kriegsspiel Society has members all around the world. Some regions are still under-represented, though, and we strive to spread the enthusiasm for Kriegsspiel as much as we can. Come join the IKS and begin your awesome ride into the world of civilian recreational Kriegsspiel.

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