Storm Over Asia is both a companion game to GMT's A World at War: Second World War in Europe and the Pacific and Gathering Storm, and is a game in its own right, with its own victory conditions. Starting in 1935, Japan, China, Britain, and Russia prepare for war without being sure of just what is coming. Japan must balance its expansion in China, an impending confrontation with the United States and Russia, and the impact of the Pacific theater in a global war. China, Britain, and Russia must try to resist immediate Japanese expansion, while at the same time laying the groundwork for the successful prosecution of war in the Pacific. These short-term and long-term goals will often be in conflict, and misjudgments in either direction may have dire consequences.
Storm Over Asia allows players to explore what might have happened if:
- Japan had prioritized naval expansion, even though it antagonized the United States.
- Japanese admirals had focused on submarine warfare in the impending war with the Allies.
- The Japanese had taken the American submarine warfare threat more seriously.
- Japan had committed to jets, advanced submarines or rockets.
- Synthetic oil technology had been developed by Japan.
- Japan had developed a strategic bomber for to use against China or Russia.
- Japan had prepared for a direct attack on the Soviet Union, rather than first trying to eliminate the Chinese threat to is flank.
- Nationalist China had defeated the Communists before Japan invaded.
- Communist China had expanded its territorial base and armed forces.
- The United Front had formed early, allowing China to confront Japanese aggression more effectively.
- Australia and India had been better prepared for war, including by building Australian aircraft carriers or an Indian air force.
- YOU had been in command.
Storm Over Asia may be played as a separate game in a single session, with its own victory conditions, and may be played alone or in tandem with Gathering Storm, GMT's pre-war game in Europe. Storm Over Asia resembles Gathering Storm in many ways, and both games have a structure consistent with A World at War, allowing for a seamless transition to whatever alternate war the players planned or stumbled into. There are many similarities between Storm Over Asia and Gathering Storm, and Gathering Storm players will have no difficulty in playing Storm Over Asia.
