Near East 1915 retraces WW1 in the Middle Eastern theater, which pitted the Entente (Britain, Russia and their allies) versus the Ottoman Empire, the first eager to expand their territories at the expense of the declining Ottoman Empire.

• The Entente player must seize the key objectives of the Middle-East.

• The Ottoman Turkish player must try to repel the multiple assaults and, above all, prevent the collapse by also securing some local gains (Yemen, Persia, Causasu) and holding on Turkish core.

From February 1915 to November 1918, the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I saw the Entente Powers—primarily Britain, Russia, and Arab insurgents—fight to dismantle the Ottoman Empire.

The Opening Offensives period of 1915 started with the failed Ottoman attempt to seize the British-controlled Suez Canal and the bloody Allied defeat at Gallipoli.§In the following years, war expanded across multiple fronts, including the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and Sinai, while the British-backed Arab Revolt crippled Ottoman railway lines and supply hubs.§In late 1917, British imperial forces captured major strategic milestones—including Baghdad, Jerusalem, and Damascus—drastically weakening Ottoman resistance.§The campaign ended in 1918 after a brief but failed upsurge of the Ottoman Empire.

Near East 1915 lasts 91 turns, each representing 2 weeks, from February 1915 to November 1918. Players represent the Entente and the Central Powers in campaign stretching from Suez to Persia and Gallipoli to Kuwait.

• The Entente seeks to claim the main objectives in Turkey and the Near East, to force the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

• The Ottomans must resist on 3 fronts and preserve the future by delaying the surrender, or even taking key objectives.

The Ottoman Surrender (or Collapse) index will determine the winner (if it exceeds 10 at any time, Entente wins).

Event cards will renew the game through a variety of diplomatic, military and political fluctuations.

Average playing time : 6h30.

Favored side : none.

Hardest side to play : Ottomans.