We are progressing steadily on Conquest and Consequence [CnC], the Pacific/Asia brother to Triumph and Tragedy. Like T&T, the game is a representation of the struggle for regional hegemony during the period 1936-45, but in the Pacific/Asia region. The map stretches from India to the US west coast, Siberia to Australia. The three factions are Japan, the USA/British Empire, and the Soviets.    

Japan is in a similar position to its Axis partners Germany and Italy: ambitious and militarist, but lacking a sufficient empire to compete with the capitalist democracies in Population and especially Resources. However, unlike Germany, Japan does not begin the game disarmed. Anything but: it has just completed the conquest and occupation of Manchuria (the most resource-rich part of China) using trumped-up “provocations” as an excuse, and its army, navy and air-force are primed and chomping at the bit. They also have a well developed (if limited) war economy. Japan has expansion opportunities in Siberia, China, and Southeast Asia and the initiative. Realizing the economic capabilities of the USA, their window is open but not permanently so.

Soviet Russia is well aware of Japanese militarism and has made initial defensive preparations in Siberia (also sharing a potential active front with British India). An equal or greater strategic focus for them, however, will be in China. The Chinese Civil War is portrayed as a proxy war between the Soviets and the USA (who play the Red/Nationalist Chinese respectively), with significant victory implications. Importantly, that proxy war has no effect on Soviet or USA Peace/War status or Peace Dividends: those Great Powers remain at Peace until they become embroiled in a “real” war with another Great Power.

Naturally, the Pacific naval struggle is also prominent. The USA starts with a decent battleship navy, but Japan has some qualitative advantages: Precision Optics gives them Fleet FirstFire until Radar technology appears, and the magnificent Long Lance torpedo gives Japanese Fleets N4 firepower. The 1936 USA army and air-force are minimal, as is its war economy. The USA must divide its initially meager economic output between building up its war economy, re-arming, and supporting the the Nationalists (they can also contribute to the British Empire, which may be needed). Once built, the USA must also stage its forces a LONG way across the Pacific to Guam, the Philippines and points of potential or active conflict.

Two new Infantry sub-types are introduced: Marines and Militia. Marines can shoot immediately upon Sea Landing but are smaller units. Both sides’ Chinese units are Militia: weak (2cv/G2) Infantry that can, however, survive without a Supply Line! A major system innovation is the introduction of Red Chinese Partisans, which are markers, not units. They are created via Diplomacy cards and cannot move or control territory, but are difficult to eradicate and can self-replicate! Moreover, during Seasons they can be converted into Militia cadres (costs 1 Command). Pesky!

Diplomacy and Technology are present in similar forms to T&T. Diplomatic fights for the independent “warlord”-controlled Chinese Provinces and Southeast Asia result in varying game “maps.” About half the Technologies (largely naval and air techs) are different from those in T&T.

Naturally, the naval game comes into its own in CnC as Trade Routes, Supply Lines and Ground units for controlling territory must be defended over a vast area of salt water. Those who found little use for Carriers in T&T may find better use for them in this game . . . Naval battles, T&T players will recall, are short, brutal, and decisive. Subs and land-based Air have their roles.

In sum, CnC seeks to transplant the T&T experience to a new arena, half oceanic and half the “land war in Asia” that Fezzik warned of. We foresee that Conquest and Consequence will be linkable with T&T for a combined global game. It should be appearing on the GMT P500 list sometime in 2019.

[Update: Conquest and Consequence is now available for pre-order on GMT’s website. You can find the P500 page here.]

Craig Besinque

Author: Craig Besinque