A new board game called “2045” is set to be released in January 2025, inviting players to participate in a fictional Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The game tasks gamers with navigating war by using colourful action cards and role-playing characters involved in operations before the invasion. Players will face scenarios such as pro-China politicians working to sabotage the island’s defence and citizens picking up guns to defend their homeland.
The game is developed at a time when tensions between Taiwan and China are high, with Beijing claiming Taiwan as its own and never renouncing the use of force to bring the island under control. The Taiwanese government strongly objects to these claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
The game maker, Mizo Games, started crowdfunding in August and received over T$4 million to fund the project. Players who participated in a test run said they learned about what might happen in the event of a Chinese invasion and hoped the game could help people understand the implications of war.
Mizo has previously created two other Taiwan war-themed board games, but this one is set against the backdrop of armed conflict around Taiwan’s current situation. The game will be released in the US and Europe later in the year.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-board-game-invites-players-imagine-chinese-invasion-2024-12-30