Digitising Diplomacy: Grand Strategy Video Games as an Introductory Tool for Learning Diplomacy and International Relations

Abstract

The paper illustrates the rich diplomacy and international relations content contained within Grand Strategy video games and how this could be used as a great learning and teaching tool within the discipline. The paper initially surveys learning and video game literature with an emphasis on strategy and board games. Second, it briefly defines diplomacy and international relations as a point of reference and comparison for subject matter content within Grand Strategy games. Third, it analyses Grand Strategy gameplay, mechanics, and strategies that simulate diplomacy and international relations and how this teaches the player about the discipline. Fourth, it analyses and interprets survey responses from a game forum, to understand player experiences with diplomacy and international relations within a Grand Strategy game. Finally, it highlights how these different manifestations and simulations of diplomacy and international relations, collectively represent a spectrum of digital diplomacy from explicit representations to more conceptual and player based forms.