Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East

About this board game

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East is a strategy game for 1–6 players with a listed play time of 420 minutes, covering the ancient world from the Hellespont to the Indus and from the Caspian to the Red Sea.

Spanning the early Bronze Age to the Hellenic Age, the game lets players command 17 civilizations. Each civilization must contend with the chaos-inducing wrath of gods and men, while managing its challenges, surviving upheaval, and guiding its society toward triumphant victory.

ACME uses the same multiplayer and solitaire systems as Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea, while adding many new features. It is a standalone game rather than a sequel or expansion, and supports solitaire play, groups of up to six, or games that combine live players with a system-driven civilization of two or more.

Competition can take many forms. Players may pursue a war game, a friendly contest, or a combination of both, with the balance between martial and cultural competition determined entirely by the group. Exploration, city building, trade, and faith all offer ways to shape the experience beyond direct conflict.

• Command one of 17 civilizations across four Epochs.
• Play solo, with up to six players, or alongside system-driven civilizations.
• Choose a warlike, friendly, cultural, or mixed approach.
• Set the contest length, from a full multi-hour odyssey to a shorter game or Sudden Death Victory Point threshold.

Designed by Christopher Vorder Bruegge and Mark McLaughlin, with development by Fred Schachter, Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East gives players broad control over both the character and duration of their ancient-world struggle.