Friday, July 11, 2008

Game background


China, 1850. The country is torn apart by civil wars. The corrupted and declining power of the Qing Dynasty is no longer able to guarantee authority. The occupation measures imposed by Western nations irritate the populations and deplete the state finances. Throughout the country, rebel factions rise up, many led by charismatic leaders. Popular or nationalist, promoting ethnic and even religious demands, the rebellions are supported by triads and local sects and seek to bring down the imperial regime, as well as to free China from the foreign powers’ domination.

It is also a time for utopias, and Nanking is renamed by its new masters the Heavenly City, capital of the Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace.

Up to 1865, China sinks deeper into chaos and becomes the theater of terrible struggles: Heroic battles, political manoeuvers and diplomatic intrigues plague the country. During a quarter of century, the destiny of all China is at stake…

Nanking is a history-inspired strategy game. Its majority-based and bidding system captures the spirit of and pays homage to a dramatic period of Chinese history. It allows players to relive the struggle of rebel factions against an alliance formed by imperial clans and Western nations.

For 2 to 4 players, each game of Nanking offers a wide range of strategies, since you take the reins of three rival factions, each belonging to a different camp. Moreover, some factions are secretly distributed and act from the shadows. Your opponents can manoeuvre your own forces and launch battles or plots at the most inconvenient moment. Numerous twists of fate may reverse your situation!

A game of Nanking lasts from 60 to 90 minutes, and lets you relive the glorious deeds of arms and the dark conspiracies that have shaped the face of mid-nineteenth century China.

Raise your armies and send out your spies: You can change the course of history. Will you lead your factions to victory?

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