Car Wars (1981)

Car Wars

Car Wars is a vehicle combat simulation game developed by Steve Jackson Games and was first published in 1980. The game is set in an alternate history version of the mid-21st century, after a nuclear war. Players control armed vehicles in a post-apocalyptic world where the right of way goes to those with the biggest guns. The game has a proprietary system and was designed by Chad Irby and Steve Jackson.

Why is Car Wars Popular?

Car Wars is significant because it was one of the first games to combine miniature wargaming with role-playing elements. The game has a dedicated fan base and has inspired several video games and other tabletop games.

Game Components of Car Wars

RulebookMapsCountersDiceMiniatures (optional)

Game Setup of Car Wars

Players choose their vehicle, complete with weapons, armor, power plants, suspension, and even body style. The game can be played on a variety of maps, including city streets, highways, and even arenas.

Gameplay Mechanics of Car Wars

Players take turns moving their vehicles and attacking other players. The game uses a system of movement points to determine how far a vehicle can move each turn. Combat is resolved using a combination of dice rolls and charts to determine the outcome of attacks.

Game Objective of Car Wars

The objective of the game is to destroy all other players’ vehicles or complete a specific mission.

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