In the wake of Taiwan’s pivotal presidential elections, the board game „AUKUS & CHINA” emerges as a timely exploration of a potential future where the AUKUS alliance – often likened to a Pacific NATO – expands to include South Korea, Japan, and France. This scenario, increasingly plausible in the current geopolitical climate, sets the stage for an immersive wargaming experience.
Taiwan’s recent election has been a global focal point, with China framing it as a choice between peace and war. The results have significant implications for the USA and China’s positions in the Indo-Pacific region. This tension forms the backdrop for „AUKUS & CHINA,” where players delve into the strategic complexities of this evolving alliance and its impact on global power dynamics.
In „AUKUS & CHINA,” you and your friends assume leadership roles in one of five teams, divided into two sides: the Red side (China and Russia) and the Blue side (USA, UK-AUS-FRA, JPN-KOR). The game’s objective is to diminish the opposing side’s morale points, which symbolize the public’s political willingness and economic ability to support ongoing war efforts. This mechanic underscores the importance of public sentiment in sustaining or undermining military campaigns.
The game’s unique mechanics include:
- Asymmetric Gameplay: The game features ‘layered asymmetry,’ where asymmetry spans across both side-specific and nation-specific levels. This design approach simplifies the learning curve for new players while offering seasoned gamers a complex strategic environment. Players gradually adapt to each level’s nuances, enhancing their strategic planning and understanding of diverse perspectives.
- Unit Special Abilities: A critical element of the game’s asymmetry, these abilities allow strategic outmaneuvering and overpowering of larger forces with smaller, tactically deployed units. The variety of unit powers adds depth and replayability to the gameplay, inviting players to experiment with different strategies.
- Hidden Resource Allocation: Players secretly manage resources across Mobilization, Operational, and Intel powers. This hidden allocation adds a layer of intrigue and strategy, as players must decide how to best deploy units, move them, and utilize special abilities and tactics, including cyber warfare, without revealing their plans to opponents.
- Escalation Dynamics: The game progresses through five escalation phases, each introducing new units, combat zones, and events. This dynamic ensures the game remains engaging and strategically evolving, suitable for beginners and challenging for experienced players.
„AUKUS & CHINA” is more than a board game; it’s a simulation of potential future geopolitical shifts and conflicts in the Indo-Pacific. By including expanded alliances and portraying current tensions, the game offers a realistic and educational insight into international relations, military strategy, and the delicate balance of power in one of the world’s most volatile regions.