World in Flames (WiF) is a strategic level board game about World War 2 for 2 to 6 players. It is designed and produced by Australian Design Group.

World in Flames is played on a varying number of large maps spread out on a table top. The map is divided into a hexagonal grid and armies, aircraft, and ships are represented by small cardboard counters. Players take the role of 1 of the major powers of WW2 and seek to do better than their historical counterparts.

There are a lot of WW2 wargames on the market, but WiF(TM) is unique in that it fully integrates every theatre of operation and every type of unit deployed in WW2. As in reality everything seldom goes according to your carefully laid plans and you have to be flexible. Die rolling has some effect on game but in the end the winner is the player with more skills. A full game of WiF Deluxe tests your skills as the game unfolds you numerous challenges from minor tactical operations to grand strategy.

Over the years WiF(TM) has developed through many editions (WiF1 - WiF5); the current 1 was first released in October of 1996 and is referred to as WiF: the Final Edition (WiF:FE). The developer of World in Flames, Harry Rowland, has expressed his determination not to make another (major) version of WiF(TM) the board game. However, a computer game based on WiF:FE is under development.

WiF:FE has 2 major versions: WIF Classic (WiFC) and WiF Deluxe (WiFD). WiF rules include 69 optional rules, which must be decided on before game play. Without any options the game is WiF Classic at it's purest (a.k.a Vanilla WiF). WiFC covers all theatres, but some peripheral locations (like southern Africa) are abstracted. With all options the game evolves into WiF Deluxe with maps for Africa and Scandinavia and many more air, land and naval units (3600 all together) to give a more detailed game. Even the maps used by WiFC take about 2 square meters of table space so this is no small game!

For historical reasons WiF Deluxe comprises of several kits:

Asia Aflame (includes artillery and divisions) Africa Aflame (includes territorials as well as other optional units) Planes in Flames (additional aircraft) Ships in Flames (additional ships) Mech in Flames (includes engineer units and supply counters) Leaders in Flames (contained in the WiF 98-annual)

New products that are planned:

America in Flames - Now available!

Computer WiF(TM) Coming soon. For further information pls contact Matrix Games at matrixgames.com.

CV Planes in Flames - Now available!

The rules of WiF(TM) have been scrutinized by WiF gamers during the last year. A number of errata was found and ADG has released a new set of rules (release 4). The rules as printed (without setup information) are about 60 pages; 140 pages if printed from the net. The 4th incarnation of WIFFE rules will be available soon in printed format.

Typically a game of World in Flames (Deluxe) takes between 100 and 150 hours of play time, but this may vary depending on experience of players.

ADG has also developed a game called Days of Decision (DoD), which can be played with WiF. It has been published in 2 versions. The last edition DoD2 seeks to duplicate the political maneuvering that occurred from 1936 to 1945. Although DOD2 is designed for use with WiF5, rules are in development so that DoD2 can be played with WIFFE.

WiF(TM) should be available at your local gaming store. If not, you can also order it directly from ADG.

*Special thanks to Vesa Saarinen for this description of WiF.

If your local game store does not carry WiF(TM), Harry Rowland has recommended contacting Larry Whalen, proprietor of The Gamekeeper who can outfit you with all your WiF(TM) needs.

Larry can be reached by email or telephone:

U.S.(401)-351-0362

<gamekeeper@choiceonemail.com>

Chris' latest pronouncement on CWiF is that it will be available in (drum roll, please): October, 2000.

There's a preview of CWiF

There's an interview with Chris Marinacci discussing CWiF

For playtest information, contact Chris Marinacci at:

marinacci@earthlink.net 

WiFcon is a week long tournament in the USA playing World in Flames with allies and opponents from around the world. It allows players from expert to beginners to be matched with players of equal skill in a relaxed friendly and safe environment. For further details please check the EVENTS section of our site.

Euro WiFcon is a week long tournament in Germany playing World in Flames with allies and opponents from around the world. It allows players from expert to beginners to be matched with players of equal skill in a relaxed friendly and safe environment. For further details please check the EVENTS section of our site.

Plans for a western convention are in the works, possibly for as early as the late winter/early spring of 1999. For more information, contact Michael Burke at:

<MichaelMVB@earthlink.net>