Balance of Tension

A fast playing Cold War strategy game balancing tension and strength to avoid nuclear war.

It's a two-player board game that fits on a postcard. Designed and developed in one weekend during the Postcards from the Front game jam. Feedback is very welcome!

Download the latest version, print it and start playing right away!

Photograph of a running printed out game — A running game

Overview

You aim to outmaneuver your opponent and gain the upper hand. However, caution is key, as increasing tensions or building an insurmountable advantage can force your adversary's hand and trigger a catastrophic outcome. So tread carefully and play smartly. Much is at stake.

The idea came after reading "The Missile Crisis" by Elie Abel. Designed in one weekend to fit comfortably on a 5"x7" (12,7 cm x 17,8 cm) postcard that can actually be mailed.

Front of the postcard showing rules text and a big red button in the center — Front of the postcard

Back of the postcard showing all the charts of the game — Back of the postcard

Download

Depending on your printin preferences, you can download either of the two PDFs:

Front and back each on a separate page. Choose this option if you prefer to print each side separately.
Both front and back on a single A4 sheet. Both sides share a folding edge, which makes it easy to glue them together.

→Download←

The project page at itch.io/balance-of-tension might be interesting as well.