This classic game of pure negotiation has taken many forms over the years. Thefirst Avalon Hill-version has perhaps the widest release, but Avalon Hill(Hasbro) re-released the game in 1999, complete with a colorful new map andmetal pieces.
They recently released a 50th anniversary edition with a new mapand cardboard pieces representing the armies and navies. In the game, playersrepresent one of the seven "Great Powers of Europe" (Great Britain, France,Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia or Turkey) in the years prior to World War I.
Play begins in the Spring of 1901, and players make both Spring and Autumnmoves each year.
There are only two kinds of military units:
- armies
- fleets.
On any given turn, each of your military units has limited options:
- They can move into an adjoining territory,
- support an allied unit in an attackon an adjoining territory,
- support an allied unit in defending an adjoiningterritory,
- or hold their position.
Players instruct each of their units bywriting a set of "orders." The outcome of each turn is determined by the rulesof the game. There are no dice rolls or other elements of chance.
With itsincredibly simplistic movement mechanics fused to a significant negotiationelement, this system is highly respected by many a gamer.
