Six nuclear-armed states are competing over an uninhabited Meridian Ocean atoll. Each leader brings a different political system, personal vulnerability and attitude toward annihilation. Most understand that a nuclear exchange could destroy their countries. One does not especially care.
Choose the leader you will play. The game remembers your decisions. Actions that solve today's problem may create a worse one weeks later.
Republic of Tselinograd
General Aaron (Republic of Tselinograd) — Military ruler
A middle-income state seized in a coup six months ago. Aaron controls the government but lacks full international recognition. His rule depends heavily on the armed forces.
Impulsive and inexperienced
Needs to appear strong to the military
Fears retaliation and nuclear annihilation
International legitimacy is weak
The Presidency of Siavaand
President Henry (The Presidency of Siavaand) — Elected president
A large developing democracy with corruption, inequality and a powerful nationalist movement. Henry won fairly but courted extremists during the election.
Must manage Parliament and courts
The National Vanguard expects aggression
Wants greater personal power
Fears nuclear retaliation
The United States of Ferrara
President John (The United States of Ferrara) — Elected president
A wealthy, long-established republic split almost evenly between two political camps. John faces scandal and the possibility of losing office within a year.
Protective of Ferrara's traditional power
Under pressure to look presidential
Haunted by his family's political legacy
Strong institutions, fierce polarization
The Monarchy of Betonia
Queen June (The Monarchy of Betonia) — Hereditary monarch
A prosperous, long-standing monarchy with a high quality of life. Queen June possesses near-absolute authority, but convention requires her to keep a six-person Royal Advisory Board broadly satisfied.
Can veto the board in extreme situations
No meaningful coup risk
Lives in the shadow of her late father, the old King
A poor state with a long history of military takeovers. Jenny Johnson seized power less than three weeks ago and has not yet learned which commanders are truly loyal.
Power base is new and fragile
Real risk of another coup
Wants to project aggression
Fears nuclear annihilation
The Confederacy Of Koland
Chancellor Renata (The Confederacy Of Koland) — Disputed elected ruler
A rising first-world economy with a shaky electoral system. Many citizens believe Renata seized power through a sham election and is using the crisis to consolidate authoritarian rule.
Technically answerable to Congress
Advisers are visibly afraid of her
Obsessed with Koland supremacy
Will risk catastrophe for ideological control
DECLASSIFIED RECORDS — HISTORICAL MEMORY
Most exact values are hidden. Status labels are intentionally approximate. Declassified records are saved in this browser.
DAY 1
Domestic climateUneasy
International climateStrained
Security establishmentWatchful
InstitutionsFunctioning
FOREIGN RELATIONS — OTHER FIVE GOVERNMENTS
Sovereign Recognition measures acceptance of your regime as a legitimate state authority. Trust measures diplomatic reliability. Cultural Recognition measures how closely the other government regards your political order as belonging to its own broad political world.