Dark December

About this board game

Dark December is a 1–2-player operational and grand tactical simulation of the operations known to the Americans as the Battle of the Bulge, with a listed play time of 120 minutes.

The game presents the situation through several formats. Players can take on the campaign game, choose from three scenarios, or play an extended game covering the Allied offensive to reduce the Bulge.

This range of options makes Dark December suitable for exploring the conflict at different levels of scope while retaining its focus on operational and grand tactical simulation. The game was released in 1979.

The physical game includes a substantial collection of printed material and counters to support its scenarios and campaign play:

• One 22 × 34-inch map
• A 24-page Rules Folder
• A 28-page Study Folder
• Two sheets of counters, totaling 400 counters

With its large map, dedicated rules and study materials, and extensive counter set, Dark December is built around a detailed tabletop presentation of the Battle of the Bulge. Its campaign, scenario, and extended-game formats provide the central framework for examining the situation and the Allied offensive that sought to reduce the Bulge.