Games Like Watchstander: Surface Warfare Officer Training Simulator

Help Shape Watchstander

I built Watchstander because I wanted a way to practice real bridge watchstanding without needing a ship, a full bridge team, or an expensive simulator.

This isn’t combat — it’s about the reality of a watch: managing contacts, applying COLREGs, and earning the CO’s trust one decision at a time.

If you’ve ever stared down a radar contact, prepped for a Rules of the Road exam, or just wanted to keep your instincts sharp underway, this is for you.

Early Access is your chance to help shape it. Every bit of feedback matters. Buying now gets you every update, including the full 1.0 release, at no extra cost.

— A fellow watchstander

About the Game

Watchstander is a bridge watchstanding and COLREGs simulator built by an active-duty Navy officer to give junior officers, SWOs, and maritime learners a way to practice navigation and radar contact management offline.

This isn’t a combat game. It’s about the day-to-day reality of standing a watch: issuing helm and engine orders, evaluating risk of collision, tracking contacts, and earning the Captain’s trust one maneuver at a time.

I’m developing this solo alongside active service because I wanted a way to practice underway without needing a $500,000 bridge sim or a full watch team. Early Access lets me get this into the hands of other watchstanders early so we can shape it together.

Whether you’re preparing for a qualification board, studying COLREGs, or just want to keep your instincts sharp, I’d be grateful for your feedback as Watchstander evolves.

🔑 Key Features (Early Access)

🧭 Bridge Watch Mode – Simulate realistic watchstanding conditions including contact tracking, risk evaluation, and safe ship navigation.

⚓ Rules of the Road Practice – Apply COLREGs through realistic light configurations, day shapes, and radar inputs.

📡 NAV/RADAR Display – Toggle between north-up and heads-up radar, use range rings, and track contacts as the sweep updates situational awareness.

🌊 Dynamic Sea States – Handle changing sea conditions and follow the “Rule of 30” (speed + rudder angle) to avoid excessive heel and CO disapproval.

🗺️ Planned Career Mode (coming to 1.0) – Build CO trust across multiple watches, choose off-watch activities, and manage fatigue over time.

🎮 Free Roam Mode – No objectives, no pressure. Just explore systems and practice shiphandling at your own pace.

Watchstander is meant to give you meaningful time behind the virtual conn. No FITREPs, no stress, just practice. It’s not perfect, but it’s developed by someone who’s been there.

If you’re willing to test and give feedback, you’re helping shape a tool for every future watchstander. Thank you. Note: Watchstander is in Early Access and may be priced differently when the full version releases.