In addition to the recent set of Portable Chaco War Wargame rules that I used ChatGPT to generate, I also asked it to create a six-player Matrix Game about the Chaco War. The end result needed a bit of tweaking by me and again, the end result is about 90% ChatGPT and 10% me.
Chaco War Matrix Game
1. SIDES & ROLES
Each side has three players representing different aspects of their war effort. Each player has a hidden objective.
Bolivia (Better Equipped but Logistically Challenged)
- High Command (President Daniel Salamanca) – Plans offensives, logistics, overall strategy, and the country’s war economy. Must balance supply and morale.
- Field Commander (General Hans Kundt) – Directs battles, deploys reinforcements, and manages morale. Must compensate for Bolivia’s poor jungle tactics.
- Diplomat & Intelligence (Vice President Tejada Sorzano) – Conducts foreign relations, espionage, and propaganda. Must negotiate foreign support, manage internal politics, and conduct espionage.
Bolivian Hidden Objectives
- High Command: Ensure two supply routes remain open by 1934.
- Field Commander: Capture Fortín Boquerón within three months.
- Diplomat & Intelligence: Gain European arms shipments before 1935.
Paraguay (Outnumbered but Defensively Stronger)
- High Command (President Eusebio Ayala) – Plans defensive strategies and organises counterattacks. Must manage the country’s limited resources.
- Field Commander (General José Félix Estigarribia) – Directs troops, fortifies positions, and disrupts enemy supply lines. Must focus on using ambush tactics and fortifications to make up for the limited strength of the army.
- Diplomat & Intelligence (Vice President Raúl Casal Ribeiro) – Manages propaganda, arms smuggling, and potential Argentine support. Must focus on diplomacy, morale, propaganda, smuggling arms from abroad, and sabotage operations.
Paraguayan Hidden Objectives
- High Command: Maintain fortified positions in key zones until late 1934.
- Field Commander: Destroy at least three Bolivian supply units.
- Diplomat & Intelligence: Convince Argentina to block Bolivian arms shipments.
2. EVENT CARDS
At the start of each month, draw an event card that affects both sides. The following are Examples of Event Cards
Weather & Terrain Events
- Severe Drought: Roll a D6 die for each unit. On a 1-2, it loses supply.
- Impassable Mud: All troop movements suffer -1 penalty this turn
- Hidden Water Source Found: One side regains a lost supply unit.
Political & Diplomatic Events
- International Arms Shipment: A random side gets an extra artillery unit.
- Argentine Pressure: Paraguay gets +1 morale, but Bolivia gets a diplomatic advantage.
- Revolt in Bolivia: If Bolivia is losing, they must dedicate a unit to suppress unrest.
Military & Tactical Events
- Paraguayan Guerrilla Success: Paraguay gains a free attack in a jungle hex.
- Bolivian Air Raid: Paraguay must roll D6; on 1-3, one unit is disrupted.
- Secret Tunnel Discovered: A defending fortification loses its +2 bonus.
3. TURN STRUCTURE (ONE TURN = ONE MONTH)
Propose Actions
- Each player declares an action (e.g., "Launch an attack on Fort Nanawa" or "Negotiate for Argentine arms shipments"), its result, and three reasons why it should happen.
- Other players may argue for or against the action’s effectiveness.
Resolve Arguments (Dice Roll)
- The strongest argument gets a +2 bonus, a weak one gets a -2 penalty
- Roll a D6 to determine success:
- 1 or 2: Failure
- 3 or 4: Partial success
- 5 or 6: Full success
Update the Game State
- Adjust troop positions, supply levels, morale, and political situation.
- If key objectives are met, declare victory conditions.
4. KEY GAME ELEMENTS
Logistics & Supply
- The Chaco terrain is harsh – supply chains must be maintained to keep forces combat-ready.
- Players can target enemy supply lines, build forts and airstrips, or negotiate for foreign aid.
Battles & Fortifications
- Players can launch assaults or build forts/trenches.
- Forts give +2 defence, while jungle ambushes give +1 attack.
Foreign Relations
- Paraguay seeks aid from Argentina and Brazil.
- Bolivia seeks support from Peru and European suppliers.
- Diplomacy can shift the balance of arms.
5. VICTORY CONDITIONS
- Bolivia wins if it captures Fortín Boquerón and Asunción before 1935.
- Paraguay wins if it holds the Chaco and destroys three Bolivian supply lines.
- If neither wins by 1935, the game enters negotiation mode – the side with better morale, supply, and territory forces favourable peace terms.
All that is needed to play the game is a map and some counters to represent military units etc.