Risk - Nuclear Variants

Thanks for posting this.

I'm currently looking for ideas to incorporate into a simple representational mechanic for mass battles. I've only ever played the original risk many eons ago, so I was unaware of changes like this.

A variation on these approaches might work well for re-enforcing engaged or defeated formations :)

I think that updating the basic concept of Risk to a post-modern Nuclear War variant is a great idea. Sabers, horses and cannons could be replaced with current or future technology. It would allow to make the game different enough to attract the younger crowd that has been raised on Call of Duty and Halo. They seem to have little interest in european history and battles fought a century or two ago. A modern version could introduce them to one of the all time favorite games that I fondly remember from our youth.

Hi. When I was looking through the rules from my copy of Risk (circa 1963) for November's Game Design Showdown, I noticed it had a reference to "the original French rules". Does that mean Risk is a Eurogame? :) I had no idea that Parker Brothers developed Risk from a pre-existing game. Anyone know who the original designer was?

Anyhow, if you're interested in playing this "variant", here are the rules as printed by Parker Brothers:

The Original French Rules
For 3, 4, 5 or 6 players

Introduction
In this version of the game the PREPARATION and the SET UP are different and the rules for these are completely reproduced below. The section above entitled "ADDITIONAL ARMIES FOR TERRITORIES ON CARDS" should be disregarded. [I.e., you don't get 2 additional armies if you control the territory depicted on a card when you turn in a set.] All of the other rules are the same.

Preparation
Each player selects a box of playing pieces of the color which he chooses, and all of the oblong pieces of that same color, to represent his armies during the game. One player is selected to act as the dealer.

The Set Up
The dealer removes the trade-mark card and the two jokers from the deck of cards. He shuffles the remaining cards thoroughly, and deals them one at a time to each player, starting with the player to his left. All cards must be dealt. When four or five play, some players will have one more card than others, but this will not affect the play of the game.

When all the cards have been dealt, each player turns his cards face up in front of him and places one army on each territory on the board for which he has the corresponding card. All players do this simultaneously. When each player has placed his armies, there should be one army, and only one, on each territory. Players now return all cards to the dealer who puts the two jokers back in the deck. The dealer shuffles the deck again and places it face down alongside the board.

Special Note on Original French Rules
At the beginning of the French game considerably fewer pieces are on the board. Players should be extremely cautious in the early stages of play, so that they may gain and hold enough power to prevent being eliminated form play prior to the broadening scope and unlimited strategies which will develop as the game progresses.

Regards,
Qwib