The future is yet to come
almost 5 years ago – Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 10:08:05 PM

Hello Everyone,

We are in the middle of the campaign, and we have reached the funding goal. So, what the future will bring? This is a daily question asked in dozens of think tanks around the world. Probably the hardest to find an answer to. But you might be able to formulate an answer yourselves, if we manage to reach the Future Variant - the first and only stretch goal that we have prepared for this campaign. 

Why? Do we really need it? 

Please read David Thompson’s note on this topic, and judge by your own:

Of all the things we talked about during the development of the game, this addition is the one I am the most excited about. It was relatively late in the design when Jaro — the lead developer — challenged me with an idea: what if we added future events to the game? I loved the concept. I remember back fondly to our frantic early morning messaging chats, where we sent each other headlines from all over Europe. Potential issues facing Eastern and Central Europe, as well as the Caucasus. We argued over a few (all good natured of course!), but in the end, I think that this expansion of the game is really going to be an exciting addition. The expansion adds twelve new headlines cards — six for each player, of course — that allows you to extend the game into the hypothetical future. Instead of adding a third period, it simply expands the second period for a handful more turns. This has the advantage of seamlessly integrating the new headlines, without changing the core structure of the game. In my opinion, it also showcases the potential of the core system moving forward. There are so many possibilities. Do Georgia and Ukraine join NATO, or maybe there’s a renewal of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? Is it possible Russia will make a military play for the Baltics? This expansion gives you the chance to answer those questions. 

- David Thompson

Future Variant will be added to the game if we reach 50.000 GBP goal before the campaign ends. Knowing you, it is perfectly doable. So please share the news about Europe Divided in your gaming groups and social media. Please let people know how unique game is forged here, and I am sure that we will introduce this what-if game variant to Europe Divided! 

Diplomatic Relations

In the previous update we have shown the Western player’s Advantage card. Let’s see what trump card we may find in the Eastern player’s hand.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the USA and NATO have constructed a new world order that shuts Russia out, treating the former communist superpower as an outsider. Great powers are always sensitive to potential threats near their home territory and Russia, while no longer a hegemon, can again defend its sovereignty by political and military means. Post-Soviet developments have made clear that Russia would not accept U.S. global leadership, nor any integration into Western-led structures. More than ever, Russia’s relations with the West are characterized by alienation and confrontation and under Vladimir Putin, the great power competition has re-emerged with a vengeance. 

In this renewed power struggle, Russia, champion of a multipolar order, holds an advantage: it is more prepared and knows the West’s weaknesses much better than the West knows Russia’s. The Kremlin remains able to think and act globally, its foreign policy reflects the unique century-old role of Russia as a balancing factor in international affairs and the development of the world civilization. The Kremlin under Putin is a rational unitary actor, that can quickly and decisively undertake an advantageous course of action.

Russia's position as one of just five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council continues to give Russia a global power role. Russia's geopolitical position gives the nation a competitive edge in pivotal Eurasia and more importantly affords Moscow the comparative advantage over all other powers of bordering every key global civilization. This leads to Russia consolidating its role has a responsible global power that assists in resolving common security issues. Relations with China are increasingly close, the EAEU has entered a new phase of Successful development, and Russia holds a pivotal role in interaction with external players in order to resolve every regional issues. 

In Europe, Moscow is capitalizing on the Soviet legacy, using its old ties with the former Eastern European bloc. Russia is also increasingly bolstering its relations with the Balkan countries. Finally, the Russian world, essentially a cultural and linguistic phenomenon (Russkii mir or its “sphere of identity“), is a geopolitical card used by Moscow in its foreign policy, while its Orthodox Christian heritage puts it at the center of another global civilizational pole.

Written by Eric G.L. Pinzelli

Happy gaming!

Michał & PHALANX

Card Holders
almost 5 years ago – Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 06:04:41 AM

Hello Everyone,

Today we would like to introduce a new add-on to this campaign. Card Holders could be handy, as during the gameplay you are holding three kinds of cards in your hand: Action cards, Advantage cards and Headline cards. That is why we have prepared a set dedicated for the game - big enough to hold all these cards, but housed in the game box well.  

To add Card Holders to your pledge, please increase your pledged amount by £14 by clicking on the Manage your pledge button. When the campaign is concluded, you will confirm your choice of add-on items in the Pledge Manager. This add-on is language independent and does not affect the shipping cost.

European Integration

Thanks to the previous updates, you already know post-Cold War history of European Integration. But what has happened earlier? How did this process start? 

Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi is widely recognized as the founder of the first movement for a united Europe following the Great War. In 1923, he published a manifesto entitled Pan-Europa, where he planned the creation of a United States of Europe, and English serving as the world language. In 1929, Coudenhove-Kalergi proposed Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" as the Anthem of Europe.

After WW2, American political scientists were the first to develop theories of European integration, including Ernst B. Haas and Leon Linberg. The European Communities (the ECSC, EEC and Euratom) were born of the desire for a united Europe, an idea which gradually took shape as a direct response to the events that had shattered the continent.

The declaration of 9th May 1950 was the founding text of European integration. Delivered by Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, this declaration, inspired by Jean Monnet, the first Planning Commissioner, laid out a European organization that would be responsible for pooling the French and German production of coal and steel. The Treaties of Rome of 1957 strengthened the foundation of this integration with the notion of a common future for the six European countries involved (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany).

Building on the initial success of the economic community, the aim was to create political unity for the Member States despite the failure of the European Defense Community (EDC) in August 1954. The entry into force of the Single European Act in 1986, substantially altering the Treaty of Rome, bolstered the notion of integration by creating a large internal market.

The UK joined on 1 January 1973, together with Denmark and Ireland; the Norwegian people had voted against accession in a referendum. Greece became a member in 1981; Portugal and Spain joined in 1986.

The year 1989 marked not just the end of the Cold War, but also the end of a state system in Europe which dated from the end of the Thirty Years War. The collapse of Communism paved the way for a much more extensive expansion of the European Union (and NATO!) to the north, south and east. The prospect of further expansion to the Balkans established Europe as the world's largest economy although enlargement necessitated painful institutional reform that was unpopular in many states and led to the growing Euroscepticism fostered in some CEEs even before they joined the Union.

Written by Eric G.L. Pinzelli

If you check this Advantage card’s action, you may find it not matching to the card’s theme. It has a deep sense in terms of game mechanics, but removing the weakest Action cards from your deck is an opposition to a process we call integration. So maybe we should name this card Constitution for Europe or Structural reforms? Please let us know what you think about this.

Have a nice weekend!

Michał & PHALANX Team

Is this true, that on the Red Square in Moscow, cars are given away for free?
almost 5 years ago – Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 06:06:34 AM

Hello Everyone,

Do you know this old joke? It is quite funny, especially for those who lived on the Eastern side of the Iron Curtain. Do you want to know the answer? If so, please check our Europe Divided contest at BoardGameGeek.com. We’ ve tried with some good question but, since you the project backers, you rather know all the answers. What an easy way to win a free copy of the game, huh?

New Rules Video

While many gamers still enjoy reading good old paper rulebooks, a solid group prefer to watch rule videos. For the latter, Stuka Joe has prepared a preview video, explaining the game with all the details you need to start playing. 

Fracture in the E.U.

Fifteen years ago the European Union was celebrating a huge extension, adding number of post-Soviet Block Central European countries as members. And this year, for the first time, it seems, it would reduce its size - by one of its key members. Eric G.L. Pinzelli will describe you the background of these events.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was not predestined that Russia should end up in confrontation with the E.U. Before the 2014 Ukrainian conflict the Euro-Russian relationships were developing in the format of Strategic Partnership. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1997 laid out lines for cooperation that seemed to indicate a positive long-term relationship, with Russia possibly joining the E.U. In 2002, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi envisioned Russia's growing integration with the West and its future E.U. membership, even if Russian President Putin clearly stated that it wasn't in Russia's interest to join the E.U. Since the early 2000s however, Russo-European relations have gone downhill.

From 2003 to 2005 the West inexorably extended its influence further into Eastern Europe by aiding revolutions against pro-Russian regimes in Georgia and the Ukraine. Then the Kremlin viewed NATO’s incorporation of the Baltic States as an outright threat. Finally, the war in Georgia in 2008 presaged the decisive split. In April 2008, NATO had released a statement affirming that Georgia and the Ukraine would be offered membership. 

Both Georgia and the Ukraine are proximate to Russia’s Volga region, its agricultural heartland and its access point for Caspian Sea oil. The Kremlin cannot risk its control over these assets being compromised. The Kremlin began to actively try to stop the efforts of the EU’s Eastern Partners to move closer to Europe.

At the same time, Russia has systematically sought to undermine European enlargement and sow distrust in the EU and NATO. Russia supports “anti-establishment” forces and Eurosceptics because of the lacks of allies among European governments. Western observers accuse the Kremlin of trying to weaken the E.U. mostly as a response to the Ukrainian crisis. Russian leadership sees the fracturing of the political unity within the E.U. and especially the political unity between the E.U. and the U.S. as among its main strategic goals. Western countries are different, a different history, and have different relations with Russia, their perspectives differ greatly. With those divisions among its member states, the E.U. can hardly defend its interests vis-à-vis Russia.

Russia is targeting the West through the traditional divide and rule strategy, using media, social media, minorities, refugees, extremists, human intelligence, cyberwarfare, energy, business, corruption, front organizations, and military force for its political influence activities. For many Western analysts, Russia now poses a serious threat to Europe, both in the political and military arena.

Written by Eric G.L. Pinzelli

Happy gaming!

Michał & PHALANX Team

UK Games Expo previews
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 06:12:10 AM

Hello Everyone,

As you may know, we have spent our first weekend of June presenting our latest and future games at UK Games Expo 2019 fair in Birmingham. We’d like to share two previews of Europe Divided which were recorded in Brum.

The first one was taken by the OnTableTop Crew during the Press Preview.  From 4:15 Jaro presents Europe Divided, but we highly recommend you to watch the complete video, as you will find there a lot of interesting info about our other projects: U-BOOT, Nanty Narking and Race to Moscow:

The second preview was made Jonathan Hicks from Boardgame Opinions channel, who played a few rounds of the game with me, and shares his initial feedback:

Jonathan really enjoyed the game, placing it in his Top 10 UK Games Expo 2019 games list. Thank you!

Eastern Partnership

Advantage cards are based on the most important and narrative events of this 30 years long era. Please read the story behind Eastern Partnership card, showing the ruthless fight for dominance... fought in white gloves.

At the Prague Summit of 6-7 May 2009, the European Union launched its Eastern Partnership (EaP), a product of Swedish-Polish partnership, spearheaded by the two foreign ministers Radosław Sikorski and Carl Bildt.

Initially, the EU targeted six countries, the six European former Soviet republics – Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The partnership was created to support political, social and economic reform efforts in these countries, with the aim of increasing democratization, “good governance”, energy security, environmental protection, and economic and social development. It marked the successful establishment of the Partnership as an integral component of European Union foreign policy.

Since neither Belarus nor Azerbaijan have complied with its democratic conditions, they have fallen out from the cooperation while Armenia decided to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia shortly before that Union came into effect on 1 January 2015, thus ending the negotiation process on an association agreement with the EU. These three nations decided against further integration with the EU.

Georgia, on the other hand, is faced with Russia’s annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, thus Georgians have pinned their hopes on moving closer to the EU and NATO. The 24 November 2017 Brussels Summit reiterated that once the Eastern Partnership countries meet the Copenhagen criteria, they would be eligible for EU membership.

Russian strategists believe that the Eastern Partnership defies their interests in the region. The Kremlin perceives Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, as well as other EaP countries, as part of their zone of influence. Moscow launched its own integration project in 2015, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which includes two EaP countries, Armenia and Belarus. 

Written by Eric G.L. Pinzelli

Thank you for your support!

Michał & PHALANX Team

Do you remember?
almost 5 years ago – Tue, Jun 18, 2019 at 08:12:41 AM

Hello Everyone!

Headlines. Day by day we see new ones coming. We live with them for a while, and then move on to other things: newer or more absorbing. Do you remember what has happened a year ago? Three, five, thirty years ago? There were so many events keeping us engaged in front of TVs till late night hours. But now, can you connect events these to places? And dates?  

Development of Europe Divided was a journey through the old headlines, through the history of European geopolitics of the post-Cold War era. There is a real story behind every single headline card - more engaging than the best fantasy or sci-fi can be. That’s because these stories weren’t born in the minds of writers and developers, or worst just re-cycled but happened in reality. Were often written in blood, not in ink.

To remind you all those stories we have asked Eric G.L. Pinzelli, Ph.D University of Provence, winner of French Defense Ministry’s 1998 Military History Award, to write notes about all Europe Divided Headline cards. You may remember Eric’s excellent job during our earlier Kickstarter campaign - Freedom! Here he is with us again, to bring to you the World’s best history capsules! These are posted in this BoardGmeGeek.com thread - enjoy and give the thread some thumbs if you please.

Thank you.

Happy gaming!

Michal & PHALANX 

A note from Jaro

As promised, we also would like to find out what you think about the Headline’s cards flavour texts. Current texts were written by Andrew McLeod, whose game ‘Our Place in the Sun’ is on our publication plan for 2020.

We want to keep the texts written in the language of the times as if they were written by the media from both sides of the dispute. So we want pro-Western bias on the green cards, and pro-Russian bias on the red ones. Will you help us make it even better?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/de0tyybksylyw5h/EuropeDivided-Karty-120x80-awers-21kpl.pdf?dl=0

Your comments and suggestions are most welcome - please add them, using Dropbox tools. And please do not be bothered with small mistakes - the cards are still yet due the final proofreading. 

Cheers!

Jaro