Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 28:08-29:01

Rule the Waves as a simulation of managing a navy

Awkward ship visuals sit alongside a strong simulation of fleet management across the battleship, carrier, and missile transitions.

Fleet ManagementNaval SimulationsRule The WavesStrategy GamesWarship Design
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Question

Why criticize Rule the Waves' ship designer, and what does the game still simulate well?

Short answer

Its generated ships can look implausible, but its fleet-management simulation covers naval development over eight decades unusually well.

Notes

Rule the Waves is a historical simulation rather than evidence about real ship appearance. Its generated turret layouts and carrier visuals can look implausible, while the ships' behavior remains the core of the game. Its larger value is the need to manage an entire navy from roughly 1890 to 1970 through changing technology and force structure. The visual designer may be weak even when the institutional and strategic model is strong.