What the hex? Why gamers love this six-sided shape so much

The hexagon or “hex” has become the go-to shape when building game worlds on maps; but before their use in games boards, hexagons were employed in different fields for multiple reasons. 

The hex, a six-sided geometric shape, has been used throughout history in various contexts. In ancient cultures, hexagons appeared in geometric patterns and designs. In nature, honeycomb structures, which consist of hexagonal cells, have been observed for centuries.

In films and popular culture, hex symbols have been used to convey mystical or magical themes. They are often associated with symbols of protection or as elements in fantasy and science fiction settings, such as in these four examples:

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): In the MCU, the hexagon was used often in the Disney+ series “WandaVision,” where was a visual representation of the character Wanda Maximoff’s reality-warping abilities.
• Transformers (Film Series): In the Transformers films, the AllSpark is a powerful artifact represented with a hexagonal shape that is crucial to the storyline.
• Blade Runner (Film): Hexagonal shapes and patterns are seen throughout these films in the cityscape and architecture, contributing to the futuristic and cyberpunk aesthetic. 
• Westworld (TV series): The hexagon is used in the design and layout of the Westworld facility as the episodes explore the balance between artificial intelligence and consciousness.

In games, the hexagon allows for more efficient use of space compared to other shapes, such as squares used previously. 

• Hexagons can be arranged in a grid pattern with no wasted space in between them, making them ideal for creating maps and game boards.
• Hexagons allow for more realistic movement in strategy games as they more closely resemble the way that units move in the real world (on the the traditional square grid, diagonal movement has the same cost as horizontal or vertical movement).
• Hexagons can be used to create more interesting and varied terrain in strategy games. For example, in a hex-based map, players can have different types of terrain in each hex, such as forests, mountains, and rivers, which can affect movement and combat in different ways.
• The hexagon is also creates a sense of asymmetry and uniqueness in games. 

The geometric properties of this unique shape have made them frequently used across historical, architecture, story-telling, and gaming fields.