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New Board Game “2045” Explores Fictional Chinese Invasion of Taiwan
TAIPEI (Reuters) – A board game themed around a hypothetical military conflict involving Taiwan is set to launch in January 2025. This release comes at a time of heightened tension due to increasing military activities by China near the self-governing island. The game invites players into a scenario of an imagined Chinese assault 20 years in the future.
In recent years, China has intensified its military presence in the region, including significant naval deployments around Taiwan, stirring concerns about the island’s security.
Titled “2045,” the game challenges players to navigate the complexities of warfare by utilizing vibrant action cards and engaging in role-playing scenarios set just ten days before a fictional invasion. Participants can assume the roles of various characters, ranging from members of Taiwan’s military to Chinese sleeper agents and local politicians working against Taiwan’s defense efforts. Civilians are also portrayed, depicting the action of taking up arms to protect their homeland.
China views Taiwan as a part of its territory and has persistently maintained that it will resort to military action if necessary to assert control over the island. Conversely, Taiwan’s leadership vehemently rejects these claims, asserting that the destiny of the island’s people is for them alone to decide.
Mizo Games, the Taiwanese company behind “2045,” commenced crowdfunding efforts for the game in August. Within just over two months, the project garnered more than T$4 million (approximately $121,966) in financial backing.
“The situation around Taiwan and the Western Pacific is quite tense at the moment,” stated Chang Shao Lian, founder of Mizo Games, in an interview. He expressed a desire for players to feel a sense of competition and to contemplate strategies for victory within the game.
The board game is also set to be available in the U.S. and Europe later in the year, coinciding with Taiwan’s increased military readiness in light of potential conflict scenarios with China.
In a historic move, Taiwan’s presidential office recently conducted a “tabletop” exercise that included government agencies beyond the military, simulating a scenario of escalating tensions with China. This exercise examined various potential situations, such as the island nearing conflict, to assess the preparedness of both governmental and civilian sectors.
Participants of an early trial of “2045” highlighted the educational aspect of the game, stating it provided valuable insights into the potential ramifications of a Chinese invasion. Players expressed hope that such a game could raise awareness about the severe impacts of war.
“I’m not particularly well-versed in military strategies, so through this game, I learned about potential landing zones for the army and how attacks might unfold,” shared Kalin Lai, a 23-year-old participant in the trial run.
Mizo Games has previously produced two other board games centered around Taiwan’s wartime experiences, one capturing the struggle during an air raid in Taipei and another depicting a bombing in Kaohsiung during Japan’s colonial rule over the island from 1895 to 1945. ($1=32.7960 Taiwan dollars)
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