War on Terror: The Boardgame

About this board game

War on Terror: The Boardgame is a strategic game for 3–6 players, with sessions lasting about 120 minutes. Players begin as empires and compete to liberate the world from fear and terrorism—or choose the opposing cause and fight for a world without empires.

Each empire starts with a couple of free villages and can settle anywhere in the world. The opening round is peaceful, but political tensions quickly emerge. Oil discoveries and the aggressiveness of each initial settlement help shape the relationships between players from the very beginning.

As the game develops, empires spread across the planet in search of valuable oil and strategic borders. Players may invest in towns and cities, or spend their money on additional empire cards to expand their political options. A fortunate player might even acquire an early nuke.

Conflict can begin for many reasons. The Axis of Evil may declare an empire evil and provide terrorist cards, a growing power may appear too dangerous, or an old grudge may finally come to the surface. Whatever the motivation, war can be declared—or the terrorists can strike.

• Expand empires by claiming land around the world.
• Search for oil and defend strategic borders.
• Use empire cards to develop political options.
• Survive war, bankruptcy, destruction, and the growing terrorist cause.

Although an empire victory is possible while every player remains an empire, the more likely path sees empires destroyed, bankrupted, or forced to join the terrorists. Fallen empires combine their cards and cash into a single terrorist player, increasing the pressure on those still standing.

With its shifting alliances, escalating conflict, and darkly satirical premise, War on Terror creates a constantly changing struggle for dominance. Every decision to expand, fund terrorism, or attack another empire can reshape the balance of power.