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Gaming to Win: Expanding the Role of Digital Wargaming
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Digital wargaming is gaining momentum across defense and beyond.
That growth reflects a broader shift. As mission environments become more complex, organizations are looking for better ways to understand how decisions play out across domains before they act.
As discussed at Sea Air Space 2026 during the “Gaming to Win” panel, Phillip Pournelle, Digital Wargaming Fellow at Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), highlighted how wargaming is evolving to reflect a broader, more integrated view of mission environments.
Phillip Pournelle discusses his role advancing digital wargaming at SPA.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Boundaries
One of the clearest trends is the growing demand for whole-of-government perspectives.
Today’s challenges are not confined to a single domain. Decisions increasingly reflect the interaction of diplomatic, informational, military, and economic factors.
Digital wargaming provides a way to explore those interactions within a structured environment, allowing organizations to better understand how actions in one area influence outcomes in another.
Modeling a More Complex Fight
Defense organizations are increasingly exploring how cyber, space, and electronic warfare can be represented within wargaming environments.
At the same time, planners and analysts are paying closer attention to how artificial intelligence can support modeling and decision-making within those environments.
These areas are not being considered in isolation. Instead, they are part of a broader effort to better represent the complexity of modern operations.
Demand for More Immersive Environments
Another area of growth is the demand for more immersive experiences. This is especially evident in educational and commercial simulation environments, where realism and engagement are becoming more important.
As expectations evolve, so does the need for environments that can better reflect the conditions and decisions faced in real-world scenarios.
The Role of Human Judgment
Even as tools and technologies advance, one point remains consistent.
Human judgment is central to decision-making.
Wargaming provides a way to explore options and understand potential outcomes, and technologies like AthenaSight, ArcherEye, and the SPA-developed SWIFT and STORM make that exploration simpler. But the value depends on how effectively those insights are interpreted and applied.
“Human judgment remains central to decision-making, even as tools evolve.”
Phillip Pournelle, SPA’s Digital Wargaming Fellow
Informing Decisions in Complex Environments
As interest continues to grow, digital wargaming is becoming a more prominent way to explore complex challenges. It offers a structured approach to understanding how decisions play out across domains, helping organizations better navigate uncertainty and competing priorities.
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