Fantasy Flight Games

The Assault Has Begun

Published 8 June 2012 |

The Assault Has Begun

FORTRESS AMERICA, the Board Game of Strategy and Survival, is on Sale

With the world at a crossroads, coalitions of nations were formed unlike any that had ever existed before. A plan was devised to destroy this perceived technological threat through military action. It involved attacking from three directions at once, for the nations of the world knew that every army dreads fighting a war on two fronts... and America was about to face three.

Fortress America, the classic board game of strategy and survival for two to four players, is now on sale at your local retailer and on our webstore!

This updated version of Michael Gray's 1986 classic pits one player, in control of the beleaguered American forces, against up to three others, who team up to assault the U.S. on three fronts. Featuring beautifully crafted components (including over 300 detailed plastic figures), Fortress America thrusts players into a frightening geopolitical scenario in which diplomacy has failed, and World War III has begun.

Click the image above to view the trailer (QuickTime, 8.4 MB). You can also view it on YouTube and the Fantasy Flight Media Player.

One Nation, Under Siege

In Fortress America, the United States must defend itself from three deadly invading armies: the Asian People’s Alliance from the West, the Central American Federation from the South, and the Euro-Socialist Pact from the East. Players take on either the role of the United States, struggling to protect itself from foreign threats, or the role of one or more of the invading armies, fighting battle after battle to acquire important territories.

Learn more by visiting our description page, downloading the rules, or reading our detailed preview. Then head to your local retailer and begin the assault!

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Visions of War

Published 5 June 2012 |

Visions of War

A Video Trailer for FORTRESS AMERICA, Coming to Stores Soon!

The invasion begins later this week. Fortress America is on its way to store shelves, and you can prepare by watching our new and exciting video trailer!

Click the image above to view the trailer (QuickTime, 8.4 MB). You can also view it on YouTube and the Fantasy Flight Media Player.

On Three Fronts

Learn more by downloading the rules or visiting our detailed description page, then prepare for WWIII to begin later this week!

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The Rules of War

Published 17 May 2012 |

The Rules of War

The Rulebook for FORTRESS AMERICA is Now Available on our Support Page

Fortress America is coming soon, and you can prepare by downloading the complete rules (pdf, 33.9 MB) from our support page! This updated version of Michael Gray's 1986 classic pits one player, in control of the beleaguered American forces, against up to three others, who team up to assault the U.S. on three fronts. Featuring beautifully crafted components (including over 300 detailed plastic figures), Fortress America thrusts players into a frightening geopolitical scenario in which diplomacy has failed, and World War III has begun.

A war on three fronts

Learn more by downloading the rules or visiting our detailed description page, then head to your local retailer to place your pre-order. WWIII will begin soon!

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The Invasion Approaches

Published 23 April 2012 |

The Invasion Approaches

A preview of FORTRESS AMERICA, the board game of strategy and survival

It is the near future, and with the unveiling of a new U.S. anti-missile system, global politics have changed forever. Fearing that this defensive network might be used to launch an attack, the world’s governments united to demand its destruction. Now, with diplomacy at a stalemate and the planet at a crossroads, coalitions of nations have been formed unlike any that have ever existed before. Their bold plan involves attacking the U.S. from three directions at once. The United States will stand or fall in the coming weeks, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Can Fortress America survive?

In December, Fantasy Flight Games announced the upcoming release of Fortress America, a board game of strategy and survival for two to four players. This updated version of Michael Gray's 1986 classic pits one player, in control of the beleaguered American forces, against up to three others, who team up to assault the U.S. on three fronts. Featuring beautifully crafted components (including over 300 detailed plastic figures), Fortress America thrusts players into a frightening geopolitical scenario in which diplomacy has failed, and World War III has begun.

With the battle approaching, we’re pleased to present a preview of Fortress America. First, for those unfamiliar with this beloved classic, we’ll look at some of its most interesting mechanics. Then, we’ll move on to a look at one of its new optional variants: invader cards.

On American Soil

In Fortress America, two to four players vie for control of strategically important American cities on a map of the United States. One player, in control of U.S. forces, must successfully repel the attacks of the opposing team (the “Invaders”), which consists of three coalitions: the Asian People’s Republic, the Central American Federation, and the Euro-Socialist Pact.

As you can see from the above image of the game board, each Invader attacks from a different direction, resulting in a unique game experience depending on which role you play. Despite their geographical separation, however, the Invaders must work together to claim any 18 cities... and quickly. While the U.S. Player can win by eradicating his opposition, he can also simply build his defenses and outlast the assault for ten turns. Whatever the players’ chosen paths to victory, however, a heated series of dice-based battles (using convenient custom dice) will decide the fate of the world.

Aside from its engaging one-versus-many dynamic, a few key mechanical factors set Fortress America apart from other area control wargames. First, it’s worth mentioning that the Invaders’ armies aren’t inexhaustible; while the U.S. Player could conceivably field new troops indefinitely, the Invaders have a finite number of units with which to conquer America. Twenty of each Invader’s units begin the game near America’s borders, ready to begin the assault, and the remaining 40 wait in the reserves to be brought in later... but once these 60 units are gone, they’re gone for good. The Invaders must therefore remain aggressive, yet calculating.

Next, Fortress America’s compelling asymmetrical game experience means that both sides of the conflict must manage entirely different strategic considerations. The U.S. Player, for example, has massively powerful lasers at his disposal, and he must protect them from assault as he decides where to direct them on each turn. Meanwhile, the Invaders are an unwelcome force in a hostile land, and to survive, each invading unit must be able to trace an unbroken line of friendly forces back to its original invasion zone. If the U.S. Player ever manages to cut this “supply line,” all cut off invading units are destroyed!

Vary your tactics

Fans of the original Fortress America may be wondering what changes can be expected in FFG’s upcoming version, and such players will find the game’s core experience essentially unaltered. Kevin Wilson, a dedicated fan of the classic version, consulted original designer Michael Gray during development; together they sought to alter it as little as possible.

In addition to custom dice that remove the need to consult charts and a convenient “Captured City” track that displays the progress of the game, FFG’s version offers an entirely optional set of new rules known as the Invader Card Variant. This variant adds a small deck of cards for each Invader player, and the special abilities on these cards increase variety while further differentiating each players’ experiences.

To begin, each Invader takes his coalition's deck of invader cards, shuffles it, and places it near him during setup. On each of the Invader’s Reinforcement Actions, when he would normally bring eight new units from his reserves and into the fray, he may instead collect five new units and one invasion card.

Invasion cards can be played at various points throughout the game, depending on their individual instructions, and they convey a number of beneficial effects to the Invader using them. “Do Svidaniya, Atlanta” converts the people of Atlanta to the Invaders’ cause, turning the city into a new invasion zone through which Euro-Socialist units can be funneled. Meanwhile, the Central American Federation’s “Withering Fire” doubles the offensive power of its units in a single battle, and the Asian People’s Republic’s “Will to Conquer” gives its dying units one last chance for revenge!

By introducing exciting new options while preserving the spirit of the original, FFG’s new edition of Fortress America is sure to appeal to long-time fans and newcomers alike. Keep checking back for more, and look for Fortress America to invade store shelves soon.

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One Nation, Under Siege

Published 16 December 2011 |

One Nation, Under Siege

Announcing FORTRESS AMERICA, a board game of strategy and survival

In the 21st century, the United States unveiled a military defense system that completely changed global politics. Through a series of satellites and powerful lasers, the U.S. gained a flawless defense against intercontinental missile attacks. The rest of the world feared that this defensive network might be used to launch an attack, and they united to demand that the U.S. dismantle it. A lengthy diplomatic stalemate gripped the globe. With the world at a crossroads, coalitions of nations were formed unlike any that had ever existed before. A plan was devised to destroy this perceived technological threat through military action. It involved attacking from three directions at once, for the nations of the world knew that every army dreads fighting a war on two fronts... and America was about to face three.

Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce the upcoming release of Fortress America, a board game of strategy and survival for two to four players! This updated version of Michael Gray's 1986 classic pits one player, in control of the beleaguered American forces, against up to three others, who team up to assault the U.S. on three fronts. Featuring beautifully crafted components (including over 300 detailed plastic figures), Fortress America thrusts players into a frightening geopolitical scenario in which diplomacy has failed, and World War III has begun.

When diplomacy fails

Fans of the 1986 Milton Bradley release will find designer Michael Gray's core experience essentially unchanged, while offering welcome enhancements over the original. For more information, including an overview of game play and a look at the changes we’ve introduced, visit our detailed description page. Then keep checking back in the coming weeks as we unveil an in-depth series of previews, and prepare for WWIII to begin in the first quarter of 2012!

Important note: Our initial announcement of Fortress America included flavor text that was interpreted by readers (quite justifiably) as politically inflammatory. That text has been since altered to correctly reflect our game's backstory. Our marketing department misread certain key thematic elements of the game, and took unauthorized dramatic liberties with the text. We apologize for any offense this may have caused.

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