Summit (1961) – Board Game Guys

Summit

Summit is a board game that simulates the Cold War era. It was introduced in 1961 by Milton Bradley as “The Top Level Game of Global Strategy,” with an updated release in 1971. Each player chooses one of the major powers from the 1950s/1960s era and controls their economic and military buildup during each turn, much like Risk.In 2017, a new board game called Summit was released by Inside Up Games. This game is a survival game where players attempt to scale up to the summit of a mountain and make it back down alive. Depending on the game mode, the win condition varies.

Why is Summit Popular?

Summit is significant because it is a classic Cold War board game that has been enjoyed by many players since its introduction in 1961. It is also significant because it allows players to experience the tension and strategy of the Cold War era in a board game format. The new Summit game released in 2017 is popular because it offers a unique and challenging survival experience for players.

Game Components of Summit

Board: An azimuthal projected map of the Earth viewed from the North Pole, with playable countries in bright colors and non-playable regions in various shades of brown.

Player Countries: United States (Blue), Russia (Red), China (Yellow), India (Green), Western Europe (Purple), and South America (Orange).

Non-playable Regions: Canada, Mexico, Central America, Central Africa, South Africa, Eastern Europe, Arab Bloc, Near East, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Far East, and Australia.

Game Pieces: Colored flags, factories, steel mills, and military bases. Each player receives I-Beams, red Military Threat chips, white Popular Support chips, and black Economic Pressure chips.

Cards: Various situation cards similar to Monopoly’s community chest and chance cards.

How To Setup Summit

To set up Summit, players first choose their major power and allocate their starting resources. Each player begins with a set of I-Beams, Military Threat chips, Popular Support chips, and Economic Pressure chips. The board is laid out with the player countries and non-playable regions marked. Players then place their starting pieces on the board according to the initial resource distribution.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Allocation: Players allocate resources to build military bases, steel mills, or consumer goods factories both domestically and abroad.

Influence and Control: Players compete for control of non-player states, with military bases protecting influence and consumer goods factories scoring points.

Chip Mechanics: Players use I-Beams to build new structures, and chips to exert pressure on other players. This can escalate into a series of challenging moves until one player yields.

Alliances and Strategies: Players form alliances and use social skills, economic knowledge, and military tactics to outmaneuver opponents.

Random Events: Situation cards introduce random events that players must respond to, adding complexity to the game.

Victory Conditions: The game is won by the player who accumulates the most points through control of regions and successful economic and military strategies.

Player Experience

Playing Summit is an immersive experience that requires a balance of economic management, military strategy, and diplomatic maneuvering. Players must navigate the intricacies of Cold War geopolitics, managing resources and alliances to outmaneuver their opponents. The game’s dynamic, with its escalating challenges and random events, keeps players engaged and strategizing throughout.

Pros

Complex Strategy: Offers a deep and complex gameplay experience that challenges players on multiple levels.

Historical Relevance: Provides a unique perspective on the Cold War era, making it an interesting historical simulation.

Social Interaction: Encourages alliance-building and diplomatic interactions among players, adding a social layer to the game.

Cons

Long Setup and Playtime: Requires more than 5 minutes to set up and over an hour to play, which can be daunting for some players.

Steep Learning Curve: The game’s mechanics and strategies can be complex, making it challenging for new players to learn.

Personal Thoughts on Summit

Summit is ideal for players who enjoy strategic board games with a strong historical context. It is particularly suited for those interested in the Cold War era and who appreciate games that require a blend of economic, military, and diplomatic skills. However, due to its complexity and long playtime, it may not be the best fit for casual or younger players. For enthusiasts of strategy and history, Summit offers a rich and engaging gaming experience that is both challenging and rewarding.

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