The State of Chu Must Reform or Die

This game takes place at the end of the Warring States period in China, at a time when Qin state has already absorbed two of the previously existent seven states, and is threatening the remaining four states of Chu, Qi, Zhao and Yan. The game is centered on the once powerful state of Chu, which has been reduced to a shadow of its former itself, losing territory and beset by internal squabbling amongst rulers and ministers. Chu has now become infamous for its corruption, incompetence, and a weak monarchy. The game revolves around an effort by the King of Chu to reform his government, as a last-ditch effort to strengthen his state against the expanding Qin state. He has recruited persuaders and statesmen from around China to assist Chu in helping improve its governance and political institutions. The simulation is structured as a debate amongst the four most influential philosophical legacies of the Warring States era: Confucianism, Naturalism, Legalism, and Mohism. The game brings to life the rich cultural traditions of the Warring States period, and also sets the stage for discussing how the Han synthesis (and subsequent Chinese political traditions) drew from a multitude of earlier traditions.

This is a Level 3 game that is still under development but has been approved by the Reacting Editorial Board (REB) for general use. A detailed explanation of the editorial process and game levels can be found on our REB Page.