Opium Wars

Opium Wars is a multi-player, area based and card driven board game simulating East Asia conflicts between 1839, the beginning of the First Opium war, and the beginning of World War I or the 1911 revolution. There are between 3 and 5 players: the Chinese rebels, Qing China, Japan, France-Russia and England. The Game is played in 7 turns, made of several rounds each.  Players start each turn with a hand of cards, and, in sequence, play a card each until they pass or run out of cards. Interruption cards allow to interrupt other players' round for combat or other situations.

The Chinese rebels represent all of the internal uncoordinated rebellions who fought the Qing Empire: Taiping, Nian, Boxer, Khojja, Panthay, Dungan, and eventually Tongmenghui. Most get crushed but eventually lead to the 1911 revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Chinese. Qing China starts as the strongest side, but through the unrelenting internal and external attacks eventually struggles and falls.  The Qing China player attempts to reform quickly while fighting off all the threats. Japan also starts behind Western Powers, but through rapid reform and military build-up can recreate the historical colonial empire.  France-Russia is focused on bringing western civilization to East Asia through Christianization, colonization and trade. Once the trans-Siberian rail is built, the massive Russian army can attempt to ceize Manchuria and perhaps more.  England is focused on expanding its formidable trade network, through Opium trade if needed.  Also the elite English fleets and troops can help seize key colonial areas and naval bases.

Release date: early 2027.  Current stage: Prototype and Alpha Testing.

We will be at the following conventions, demonstrating and play-testing:

July 2026 ConsimWorld Expo, Tempe, AZ USA

September 2026 Middle Earth Club Mini Convention, Osaka, Japan

October 2026 Game Market Convention, Tokyo, Japan

October 2026 Essen Spiel Convention, Essen, Germany