Alliance

Shaun D McMillan

Originally designed as an educational game in the vein of Model UN, Alliance is a highly accessible political simulation set in the very near future of a world not unlike our own, where players grapple with conflicting priorities and attempt to bring about world peace, or at least stability. While it is pitched as an educational game, Alliance is great fun with an older audience, and the designer has helped game runners create add-ons such as Last Days, a zombie-themed version of the game.

• For more details, including videos of the game being played, check out the designer’s website

• 5-72 players (no, really!)

• All roles are very accessible to newer players. While some have more mechanical decisions to make, this is primarily a game of negotiation and collaboration.

• Roughly 1 facilitator needed per 6-8 players

• Game licence and materials can be obtained by contacting the designer. The licence is $60 for schools and other educators, and negotiable for other organisations

The designer has made the entire game available as a print-on-demand game from the Game Crafter for $290. While you could probably print a lower-quality version slightly cheaper, it’s a very good price for what you get.