Sleepwalkers: Imperial Rivalries and the Great War

„All nations want peace, but they want a peace that suits them.“ (Admiral „Jackie“ Fisher)

The outbreak of the First World War, often called „the seminal catastrophe of the 20th century”, is one of the most controversial topics in human history. Many Europeans had condoned war, but hardly anyone could have wanted the unprecedented slaughter that began in 1914. Why did it happen? How could it happen?

Sleepwalkers is a simulation game about diplomacy at the brink of war, covering approximately the period between 1900 and 1918. Players represent the governments of the major powers Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany and Russia. Vying for prestige, they impose tariffs, arm, expand and forge alliances. Random events such as the Dreyfus Affair, the Boer War, the Berlin-Baghdad Railway, the Russo-Japanese War and the Black Hand add to the tensions. Crises are sure to erupt, forcing each player to decide whether to mediate or to mobilize. Can you avoid war, while striving for a peace that suits you?

Players: 1-5 (best with 3-5)
Complexity: low
Components: 8-page rules booklet, 12"x16" map, 55 die-cut counters. You also need 1 six-sided die and an opaque container like a mug which are not provided with the game.