Crisis: 1914

About this board game

Crisis: 1914 is a game of international brinkmanship for 1–5 players, with an estimated play time of 120 minutes. You must respond to a crisis without backing down too soon or too late, while balancing the conflicting views of hawks and doves in your cabinet and government.

Three connected concepts shape the game: Prestige, Tension, and Diplomatic Pressure (DP). Prestige determines how you win, while Tension represents the danger of losing. Every card has a DP value, and you apply Diplomatic Pressure by playing cards.

At the end of a turn, the player with the most Diplomatic Pressure earns Prestige points. Other ways to score Prestige also exist, but DP is the most important source. The player with the most Prestige at the end of the game is the winner.

Cards drive the action in Crisis: 1914, giving players ways to increase influence, expand their options, and manage the crisis. The main card types include:

• Assertion Cards, which use your nation’s power to increase Prestige.
• Consensus and National Interests Cards, which let you play more cards.
• Diplomatic Back-Channel Cards, which increase DP without increasing Tension.
• Caution Cards, which allow more cards to be drawn.

Some cards also create recurring effects on Momentum, which can stop players from taking certain actions, or reduce Tension, allowing you to lower the pressure in your country. Managing these effects is part of formulating a coherent response from competing political viewpoints.

With its focus on diplomatic pressure, prestige, and escalating tension, Crisis: 1914 presents a contest where every decision matters. The game also includes rules for solitaire play.