The Gathering Storm (Preorder)

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Gathering Storm, both a game in its own right and a prequel to GMT's A World at War, covers the period from 1935 to the outbreak of World War II, whenever that might be. Like A World at War, Gathering Storm, simulates the military, economic, political, diplomatic, research and production preparations for the Second World War, allowing the players to explore what might have happened if:

  • Admiral Doenitz had convinced his superiors of the importance of submarine warfare in the impending war with Britain.

  • Germany had pursued the Z Plan earlier and more consistently.

  • The development of the "Ural bomber" had been pursued.

  • Poland had become a German satellite, rather than resisting German aggression.

  • War had broken out over the Sudetenland, or even the remilitarization of the Rhineland.

  • Mussolini had given a lower priority to naval armaments, to the benefit of the Italian armor and air forces.

  • France had extended the Maginot Line.
de Gaulle's arguments to expand and strengthen France's armor units had been accepted.

  • Britain had rearmed sooner.

  • Russia had deferred the Great Purges. Or accelerated them.

  • The Spanish civil war had been won by the Loyalists.

  • A civil war had broken out in Yugoslavia. Or Greece.

  • Atomic fission had been discovered earlier.

  • The Second World War had begun with a Franco-Italian conflict. Or a French pre-emptive attack on Germany. Or a Russo-German war, with Italy and the Western Allies neutral.

  • War comes early. Or later, in 1940 or even 1941.

  • YOU had been in command.

Gathering Storm can be played as a separate game in a single session, with its own victory conditions, but A World at War players will want to press on and see how the war they have created plays out. While using different mechanics, Gathering Storm's structure is consistent with A World at War and allows for a seamless transition to whatever alternate war the players planned - or stumbled into. Some 30 years in development, with three years of design and playtesting, Gathering Storm includes the following:

  • Six random events each turn, providing unlimited replay value.

  • Economics based on tiles and activity counters, eliminating any paperwork.

  • Flexible mobilization rules, allowing players to emphasis civilian or military production - each at the expense of the other.

  • Unit construction which allows players to activate reserve units for immediate benefits, at a cost of limiting future options.

  • Variable research, which can focus on air, naval, military or intelligence projects, as well as short or long term gains.

  • A fast-moving diplomatic system, with each player allocating diplomatic counters each turn. Diplomatic targets are public, but the points allocated to them are not.

  • Shipbuilding that allows varied fleets, including the possibility of 5-factor super battleships.

  • Ahistorical A World at War counters, including armor units of different strengths and additional ships.

  • A dynamic crisis system, in which the Allies can appease or oppose the Axis, with neither side necessarily being certain whether war might break out.

  • No dice.

Gathering Storm is a must-buy for any committed A World at War player, an excellent - and possibly dangerously time consuming - introduction to the A World at War universe for those unfamiliar with that game, and a enjoyable and instructive fast-paced game all on its own.

Contents:
4 Countersheets
1 Mapboard (22 x 30in)
1 Mapboard Overlay (8.5 x 11in)
144 Random Event Cards
1 Rulebook
1 Battle Manual
1 Transition Rulebook
Scenario Cards

Ages: 12+
Players: 2-5
Game Length: 360-480 minutes