Simulare Necesse Est

Abstract

Born in The Hague in 1946, the author has been interested in simulation and gaming since he was 12 years old. Simulations, particularly the role-play type, were then, and still are, fun for the author. He used them for recreation, to replay history and practice strategy and tactics, to enjoy politics and journalism, and to interact with friends and foes. He was inspired to use simulation exercises as a training tool for educational purposes all over the world. Could the history and the history-to-come of a human being, and his or her vision of the real and imaginary worlds, be described in stages like in world history? The author attempts to do so in this contribution to Simulation & Gaming. His life has always been intertwined with reality and fiction alike, and has passed through certain stages, so it might be of help to sketch it through the metaphor of human history. After all, the history and politics of humankind were his main motivations for creating simulation games to teach others, as well as himself.