Choose your faction.
Shape the 21st century world order.
Fight in an escalating conflict over land, sea and air!
AUKUS & CHINA is 2-5 player, easy to learn hard to master, asymmetric modern-day strategy wargame. Area control meets hidden resource allocation and open-choice deck building. A&C explores the fictional scenario of an escalating conflict between the USA and China and their allies.
You and your friends are the leaders of one of 5 teams on 2 sides. Red side teams: China and Russia. Blue side teams: USA, UK-AUS-FRA, JPN-KOR.
Your goal in the game is to drive down the enemy side’s morale points. Morale points represent the public’s political willingness and economic ability to continue to support the government’s war efforts. Allies will win or lose together. You can drive down the other side’s morale points by controlling sea and land areas, and winning battles.
Asymmetric Gameplay: Asymmetry plays a central role across all aspects of the game, manifesting on both side-specific and nation-specific levels. This asymmetry ranges from resource availability and unit deployment to strategic options and unit-specific abilities. We refer to this as ‘layered asymmetry,’ which simplifies the learning curve for new players, as they don’t need to immediately grasp multiple unique playstyles. Instead, they can gradually understand and adapt to the nuances of each level, making it easier to think strategically and empathize with different player perspectives. Simultaneously, it offers seasoned players a thrilling challenge to put themselves in their opponents’ shoes, deepening the strategic complexity and excitement of the game.
Unit special abilities: Unit special abilities are the most prominent aspect of the game’s asymmetry. These abilities allow players to strategically outmaneuver and even overpower larger forces with smaller ones by using the right combination of units and their unique powers. This depth of strategic options, stemming from the diverse abilities of each unit, provides unmatched variety and replayability.
Permadeath: Units are in limited supply. Units destroyed in combat are permanently removed and placed in the destroyed section of a team’s tray, with some exceptions.
Catch up: We call it ‘Rallying Call’—a game mechanism that allows players to use their setbacks as a catalyst to redouble their efforts in combat. It supports the trailing side by effectively preventing any player from gaining an insurmountable lead, thereby maintaining a competitive and challenging gameplay environment.
Hidden resource allocation at both macro and micro levels: You secretly manage your resources across three main powers: Mobilization power for deploying new units, Operational power for moving units, and Intel power for using unit special abilities, tactics, and cyber warfare. Plus, you use special abilities in combat covertly.
Escalation dynamics: The game unfolds over five escalation phases, introducing new units, combat zones, and events, making it progressively engaging. This structure is ideal for beginners to learn at their own pace and for seasoned players to strategically build their approach, while also ensuring that early mistakes don’t immediately jeopardize the game, allowing for a more forgiving and fun experience.
Players have at their disposal warships, submarines, fighters, bombers, air defense, aircraft carriers and more. All of the units perform differently and have special functions.
- 1 Gameboard (68x68cm)
- 1 Battle Board
- 5 Command Boards & Privacy Screens
- 6 Trays (5 Team Trays, 1 Common Tray)
- 20 custom 6-sided dice (3 types: 6 Standard, 8 Attack, 4 Defense)
- 700+ Playing Tokens
- 1 Rule Book (English)
Box size: 36 x 25 x 13 cm.
Frequently asked questions
AUKUS & CHINA distinguishes itself in the strategy board game genre through its unique gameplay elements. The game introduces an innovative approach to hidden resource allocation, happening both at a macro and micro level. This involves strategic decision-making about resource acquisition and combat preparation, adding depth and an element of surprise to the game.
Another characteristic that players often highlight as a favorite is the way units and their special abilities can be combined. This feature enhances strategic depth without introducing undue complexity, allowing for a rich tactical experience and re-playability.
Thirdly, „AUKUS & CHINA” excels in its dynamic escalation mechanics, a feature that significantly enriches the gaming experience. This aspect perfectly complements the hidden resource allocation and the strategic unit combinations, keeping the gameplay continuously engaging and evolving. As the game unfolds, the intensity of decisions and their impact magnifies, ensuring a constantly shifting strategic landscape. This escalating complexity not only maintains excitement but also deepens the tactical richness of the game, offering players a uniquely thrilling and varied strategic experience every time they play.
What we are most proud of in „AUKUS & CHINA” is its continuous gaming experience. In many strategy games, long decision times can lead to other players becoming disengaged. Our game overcomes this by offering players decisions that are both quick and exciting to make. The game encourages rapid strategic thinking in manageable steps, derived from surprising and dynamic situations.
Additionally, the gameplay in „AUKUS & CHINA” is carefully balanced to ensure that no player can snowball to an unassailable lead. This keeps the game competitive and enjoyable right up to the last minute, with mechanisms that allow for dramatic turnarounds through smart play. While luck plays a role in dice-rolling, the game predominantly hinges on strategic choices and cooperation between allies. The thrill of dice-rolling adds an element of unpredictability, but strategic planning is what truly drives success in the game.
These features collectively make AUKUS & CHINA the ultimate wargame of the 21st century, catering to both seasoned strategists and those new to the genre.
AUKUS & CHINA is grounded in a realistic portrayal of modern geopolitical dynamics. We have collaborated with multiple military and foreign relations experts to accurately depict the current geopolitical situation and translate these real-world elements into engaging game mechanics. Their immense contributions have been instrumental in shaping the game into what it is today. Their insights and expertise have not only enriched the gameplay experience but have also ensured a level of realism and strategic depth that we are incredibly proud of. We can’t praise them enough for their impact on the game and are deeply thankful for their significant role in bringing AUKUS & CHINA to life. Our goal was to create a game where players can realistically step into the roles of key global players. We have been extensively researching the subject, even prior to the game’s creation and we’ve also strived to avoid a solely Western perspective.
The development of AUKUS & CHINA was a thoughtful process of thematic and mechanical design, conducted in parallel. Initially, we started with a set of rules and mechanics based on concepts and ideas we were passionate about. However, as we explored various topics, we found ourselves increasingly drawn to the current geopolitical climate, which we felt was the defining issue of our time. This realization steered our focus, leading us to continually refine and sometimes even discard initial ideas that did not realistically align with a modern-day strategy board game. In balancing the game, it was crucial to us to not only choose a subject matter that could be addressed fairly and without arbitrary elements but also one that allowed us to make a meaningful artistic statement. The more we learned about the intricacies of global politics, the more we felt compelled to create a game that would artistically capture the essence of these decisive moments in our contemporary world.
The game is set in the third decade of the second millennium, during a transformative period in the Indo-Pacific region. This era is marked by the rise of the AUKUS security pact between the USA, UK, and Australia, aimed at containing China’s ambition to displace the US as the pre-eminent global power. France, Japan, and South Korea align with AUKUS, strengthening their military presence in the region. Meanwhile, China fortifies its alliance with Russia, united by a shared desire to challenge the US-dominated world order and establish new power structures and institutions.
AUKUS & CHINA not only realistically portrays the military aspects but also delves into the strategic significance of various regions. The game brings to life the intricate dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the crucial role of the Malacca Strait in potentially cutting off China’s energy supply and the contentious South China Sea, including the 9-dash line conflict. It intricately maps out the island chain strategy for containment and accurately represents the locations of US and other international military bases.
While AUKUS & CHINA aims primarily to entertain and provide a thrilling gaming experience, its detailed depiction of these geopolitical elements serves to educate players about the economic and political perspectives from both sides of the conflict. We believe that the considerable effort put into creating this realistic and immersive atmosphere significantly enhances the overall experience, offering players not just a game but a deep dive into what these global tensions mean in practice
The game explores scenarios of escalation and potential conflict, posing the question, ‘What if it really happens?’ However, it is our hope that such a conflict never occurs in reality, as it would be a disaster of immense proportions. AUKUS & CHINA allows players to navigate these tense geopolitical waters in a safe gaming environment.
While we anticipate that AUKUS & CHINA might provoke discussions and debates regarding its depiction of the political, economic, and military situation, especially among reviewers and experts in the field, we welcome such discourse. It’s important to recognize that although the game is detailed in its approach, it is not a professional wargame. Our primary goal is to provide an engaging and enjoyable experience for all strategy game enthusiasts. Within this scope, AUKUS & CHINA aims to balance entertainment with an accurate portrayal of contemporary geopolitical themes, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate both strategic gameplay and a thoughtful depiction of real-world issues.
Yes, AUKUS & CHINA has undergone extensive testing across a wide spectrum of players. Our focus has been to engage both seasoned wargaming enthusiasts and casual board game players. While the game is primarily designed for strategy game aficionados, gaining insights from those less experienced in strategy games has been invaluable.
Our testing process has been rigorous and comprehensive. We have employed professional testers and dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to ensure the game’s quality. AUKUS & CHINA has evolved through numerous iterations since its initial concept. With each version, our goal has been to streamline and simplify the gameplay, making it as intuitive as possible without compromising its depth and strategic elements.
Moreover, our commitment to the game extends beyond its initial launch. We plan to continuously test and refine AUKUS & CHINA based on community feedback. Our aim is to evolve the game, providing online rule updates and investing in further playtesting. This approach ensures that AUKUS & CHINA remains a unique, replayable experience that stands the test of time.
We take the balance and experience of gameplay very seriously. Our dedication to AUKUS & CHINA is steadfast, and we’re committed to ensuring it delivers a finely-tuned, engaging experience. Looking ahead, we’re excited about the possibility of developing additional games. We already have numerous ideas brewing for future projects. If our Kickstarter campaign is successful, we’re also considering expansion sets for AUKUS & CHINA. However, our current focus remains on perfecting this game. We want to ensure that AUKUS & CHINA is thoroughly developed and functions flawlessly before venturing into new games and expansions. Our commitment to quality and player satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re excited about the potential future of our gaming universe.
AUKUS & CHINA is designed as an easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master strategy game. Our testing has shown that explaining the rules to newcomers typically takes around 15-20 minutes. We highly recommend a learn by playing approach, which has been effective and enjoyable in our own experiences with other games. This approach is particularly suitable for AUKUS & CHINA.
The basic rules of the game are straightforward, but AUKUS & CHINA offers a significant depth in terms of strategy, resource allocation, and combat dynamics. For instance, the game allows players to strategically combine units and utilize their special abilities in combat. We’ve observed many creative strategies emerge during our extensive testing sessions, especially when players focus on thoughtful resource management and the synergistic combination of units and abilities.
Although a game can last anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, depending on the players’ aggressiveness and strategic depth. The gameplay is intensely engaging from round to round and turn to turn. We’ve designed the game so that players don’t have to wait long for their turn, contributing to a dynamic, almost real-time gaming experience. As a result, time tends to fly by during the game, adding to the excitement and engagement of AUKUS & CHINA.
AUKUS & CHINA will become available following our Kickstarter campaign launch in the autumn. We are targeting to ship the game by Christmas, depending on the success of the campaign. We’re committed to delivering a high-quality gaming experience and appreciate your support and patience as we bring this project to fruition.
The Kickstarter campaign for AUKUS & CHINA is set to launch in March. We’re working hard to ensure everything is ready for a smooth start. Following a successful campaign, we aim to ship the game to our backers by May. Stay tuned for the exact launch date and be ready to join us on this exciting journey!
To stay informed about AUKUS & CHINA’s campaign, updates, and announcements, be sure to follow our Kickstarter page or sign up to our Launch Alert.
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Currently, AUKUS & CHINA is being released in English. However, we are actively exploring opportunities to collaborate with publishers in other regions, which could lead to licensed versions of the game in additional languages. We will keep our backers and supporters informed about any updates regarding translated editions.
We are thrilled to see significant interest in AUKUS & CHINA from various parts of the world, especially from the USA, China, Vietnam, the UK, Germany, France and Poland. Our goal is to make AUKUS & CHINA accessible to enthusiasts everywhere. We are committed to shipping worldwide, ensuring that anyone, in any country, can enjoy our game.
Please note, while we aim for global availability, international shipping can involve additional costs or specific restrictions depending on the destination. We’re working hard to facilitate as wide a distribution as possible and to keep shipping fees reasonable. For detailed information on availability and shipping to your specific location, we encourage you to check our Kickstarter campaign once it launches.