Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How much fluff should a wargame rulebook really contain? In this video I explore the delicate balance between lore, history, and background material versus clear rules mechanics in tabletop wargaming rulebooks. Fantasy and sci-fi games often rely heavily on lore to explain their worlds, factions, and even the laws of physics, while historical wargames already have vast libraries of real-world research behind them. So how much background information does a rulebook really need before it becomes filler? And at what point does stripping things back to pure mechanics remove the flavour that makes a game feel authentic? Join the discussion as we look at the role of fluff vs substance in rule design and how it shapes the way we experience our favourite tabletop wargames.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC-OyOZpU-R7PNBOFwP4mu3g/join
How much fluff should a wargame rulebook really contain? In this video I explore the delicate balance between lore, history, and background material versus clear rules mechanics in tabletop wargaming rulebooks. Fantasy and sci-fi games often rely heavily on lore to explain their worlds, factions, and even the laws of physics, while historical wargames already have vast libraries of real-world research behind them. So how much background information does a rulebook really need before it becomes filler? And at what point does stripping things back to pure mechanics remove the flavour that makes a game feel authentic? Join the discussion as we look at the role of fluff vs substance in rule design and how it shapes the way we experience our favourite tabletop wargames.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC-OyOZpU-R7PNBOFwP4mu3g/join
