This event consists of a single Campaign Game for both the European and Pacific theaters, played by teams of two or three. Europe-only scenarios may also be played if desired by the players. The Campaign Game usually lasts from Monday through Saturday, with the participants playing the game exclusively during that time. It is a unique and highly enjoyable experience for participants, a few whom have attended many times since the inaugural Avalon Hill Advanced Third Reich event at Camp Hill, PA in 1992. The addition of Empire of the Rising Sun, as the Pacific companion to Advanced Third Reich, transformed the event from a one-theater game to the ultimate World War II gaming experience.

GMT’s A World at War (2003, with a 2013 second printing), from the same designer team, updates and refines the Advanced Third Reich/Rising Sun game system and is now supplemented by GMT’s Gathering Storm (2015), and Storm over Asia (2020), which allow players to start jockeying for position in 1935.

The “living rules” to A World at War, Gathering Storm, and Storm Over Asia, are available at http://aworldatwar.org/, http://www.gatheringstorm.org/, and http://www.stormoverasia.org/, with updates published annually (A World at War: every June 30) and bi-annually (Gathering Storm and Storm Over Asia: every December 31 and June 30). All rule changes, most of which are clarifications based on player questions, are readily available in separate documents on the websites.

Pairings are made in advance of the event, matching players of equal experience to the greatest extent possible. Players have the option of playing a Gathering Storm-A World at War game, a Gathering Storm/Storm Over Asia-A World at War game, or classic A World at War, with the historical Fall 1939 starting position. Prequel games are normally played by e-mail well in advance of the convention itself.

Mapboards and magnetized counters will be provided for players; if there is a shortage of equipment, players will be advised well in advance of the event so sufficient games are available.

If you like World War II games on a grand operational level, this is the event for you. The veteran players are excellent and sportsmanlike opponents, and the A World at War culture encourages players to point out obvious blunders and allow move corrections, so the outcome is decided by superior strategy and tactics, rather than oversights.

While some exposure to the game is required, this event is also an excellent place for newer players to learn the game, as the large number of experienced players in attendance are happy to answer questions and offer advice whenever asked.

Interested convention attendees are also invited to stop by and visit the A World at War event during any of the daily playing sessions.

Plaques are awarded as determined by the GM and assistant GMs, based on the players’ creativity and strength of play, rather than simply on results. To that end, a special meeting will be held to unwind and discuss the campaigns just waged.

Additional Prizes: Additional Prizes will be provided by the publisher, GMT Games, as well as by the GM.

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