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Mid-East Peace (1990) Board Game

ByMichail

Mid-East Peace is a board game released in 1990 that focuses on modern warfare and political themes in the Middle East. Designed by Eric Hotz and David Kowan, the game allows 2–6 players to engage in strategic gameplay involving negotiation, secret unit deployment, and area-impulse mechanics. With a runtime of 60–180 minutes, Mid-East Peace is suitable for players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Mid-East Peace

  • Mapboard** of the Middle East
  • Country cards** representing 12 different nations
  • Oil Chips** used as revenue and for various game functions
  • Military Forces** and their respective tokens
  • Economic and Diplomatic Phase cards**
  • UN Voting tokens**
  • Arms Auction bidding tokens**

    How To Setup Mid-East Peace

    To set up Mid-East Peace, each player selects a country to be their homeland and may also attempt to control neighboring countries. The mapboard is laid out, and each player receives the necessary country cards, oil chips, and military forces. The game starts with an Economic Phase, where players collect oil revenue, followed by the option to bid on drilling new oil resources.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Area-Impulse Mechanics: Players take individual turns with specific phases (Economic, Military, Diplomatic) that must be executed in a set order.
  • Secret Unit Deployment: Forces are moved and battles are resolved secretly to maintain strategic tension.
  • Bluffing and Negotiation: Players must negotiate and bluff to achieve their goals.
  • Game Objective: The game can end in either peace or war, with different scoring mechanisms for each outcome. In peace, players score based on their oil chips, while in war, the score is based on remaining military forces. The player with the highest score wins.

    Player Experience

    Mid-East Peace offers a complex and engaging experience, requiring players to balance economic, military, and diplomatic strategies. The game is known for its high tension, as players must out-maneuver and out-bluff each other to secure the riches of the region while ensuring the safety of their state. The secret deployment of forces and the constant need to balance resource spending add to the game’s intensity.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth: The game requires intricate planning and strategy.
  • High Replayability: Different country selections and game outcomes ensure varied gameplay each time.
  • Realistic Theme: The game reflects the geopolitical tensions of the early 1990s.
  • Interactive Phases: The Economic, Military, and Diplomatic phases keep players engaged throughout.

    Cons

  • Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its complex mechanics.
  • Long Playtime: Games typically last 120-180 minutes.
  • Out of Stock: The game is currently out of stock in many places, making it hard to acquire.

    Personal Thoughts on Mid-East Peace

    Mid-East Peace is for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate strategic depth and complex gameplay. It is ideal for those interested in geopolitical themes and are willing to invest time in understanding the game’s mechanics. While it may not be suitable for casual players due to its complexity, it offers a rich and challenging experience for those who enjoy strategic planning and negotiation.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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