The 25th Anniversary of ISAGA: The Orchestration of Organized Complexity

The 25th anniversary of the International Simulation and Gaming Association (ISAGA) is a good occasion to assess the current situation in the field of gaming-simulation, particularly from an ISAGA perspective. After describing the purpose and thrust of the association and outlining the position of ISA GA in the academic field, a short history of gaming-simulation is sketched, starting with the general management games of the 1950s. As the starting point for the development of the field, their generic structure and development are presented as the common background for gaming-simulation in other areas. Current global changes show that we are in a period of transition with unknown outcomes. Can such a situation of weakly organized complexity be governed or managed? Gaming-simulation could be very useful in supporting processes of change within and between the industrialized and developing societies, as it is well suited to dealing with various forms of social complexity. Recent scientific insights hold promise for the use of gaming-simulation in developing a better understanding of the complex dynamics of social systems. Improvements necessary to advancing the field are also discussed.