Sat Jan 04 10:43:26 UTC 2025: ## Taiwanese Board Game Simulates Chinese Invasion, Fuels Debate Amid Rising Tensions

**Taipei, Taiwan –** Amid escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, a new board game is sparking conversation about conflict preparedness. “2045,” developed by Taiwanese company Mizo Games, puts players in the roles of military commanders, operatives, and civilian resistance fighters defending Taiwan against a fictional Chinese invasion. The game, which launched a successful crowdfunding campaign raising over $121,000 USD, is set to release in Taiwan this month and in Europe and the United States later in January.

The game simulates a 10-day period leading up to a hypothetical invasion, challenging players to achieve both individual and collective goals. Mizo Games founder Chang Shao Lian emphasizes the game’s aim isn’t just to teach strategy, but to foster a sense of wanting to “win” and actively participate in defending the island. Gameplay incorporates elements of modern warfare, including cyberattacks and economic instability.

Production of “2045” faced challenges due to its sensitive subject matter, forcing the company to manufacture outside of China, a departure from typical practice. The game follows Mizo Games’ 2017 release, “Raid on Taihoku,” which simulated a World War II bombing of Taiwan.

Experts like Paul Booth, professor of media and pop culture at DePaul University, highlight the game’s significance in allowing players to engage with potential scenarios in a participatory way. He points to a long history of games tackling social and political issues, referencing examples like “The Landlord’s Game,” a precursor to Monopoly that addressed land ownership inequalities.

“2045” is not the only Taiwanese media production exploring a potential Chinese invasion. A 10-episode TV drama, “Zero Day,” depicting a PLA attack, is slated for release this year. These works reflect the heightened anxieties surrounding China’s increasingly assertive military activities near Taiwan, including recent large-scale drills and the deployment of numerous naval and air assets.

China’s continued claims of sovereignty over Taiwan and its military posturing have fueled tensions, underscored by President Xi Jinping’s recent New Year address emphasizing “national reunification.” Taiwan, however, firmly opposes such reunification and views China’s military exercises as provocative. The US, while maintaining its “one China policy,” supports Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities through the Taiwan Relations Act. Recent military exercises and heightened alert statuses by Taiwan’s military highlight the escalating situation. The release of “2045” adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the island.

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