A board game about the Latvian War of Independence has been created

The board game "War of Latvian Independence 1918-1920" has been created in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Latvian War Museum and SIA "Brain Games Publishing", which players will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Latvia and fight for the country's independence.

"We saw that the board game is an unlearned, but very grateful format to educate and interest the public about the creation and protection of the Latvian state during the Latvian War of Independence. Thus, in an interactive way, we popularize both the military history of Latvia and arouse interest in the defense industry as a whole," says Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks.

The game is based on the events of the Latvian War of Independence and consists of three different scenarios depicting one of the stages of the Latvian War of Independence. In each of the game's scenarios, players will work together to recruit combat units, march them into battle against the enemy, treat the wounded, and ensure that the troops are adequately supplied. Cards with historical figures will help you win battles.

"We are honored for the opportunity to release a board game about such important events for our country more than 100 years ago. This cooperative game experience will reflect how important coordination, persistence and mutual and international cooperation were in the events of the War of Independence," says Egils Grasmanis, chairman of the board of the Brain Games Publishing publishing house.

In order to liberate the country of Latvia and win the game, the players will have to cooperate, similar to what happened in the history of Latvia. Based on historical events, Latvia's allies - the armed forces of Estonia and Poland - will be invaluable helpers in the game. The board game also shows the complexity of the War of Independence: if at one point the Latvian army is fighting together with German army units as allies, then after a short time you have to go to battle against them.

The Ministry of Defense has purchased 1,700 copies of the board game, most of which will serve the needs of the Jaunsardze Center. Likewise, the defense industry will use the purchased copies of the game for the promotion of Latvian military history and for representational purposes.

Game developer SIA "Brain Games Publishing" won the procurement announced by the Ministry of Defense in 2020, submitting a bid for 50,211.37 euros (including VAT). The offer included both the development of the board game and the purchase of no less than 1,700 copies for the needs of the ministry. On the other hand, the involvement of the Latvian War Museum ensured the inclusion of historical facts in the game scenario.

The Ministry of Defense is interested in making the game available to the wider public as well, and it is planned that, in parallel with the Ministry's procurement, SIA "Brain Games Publishing" will offer it for sale for its own funding.
The author of the game is Jānis Grunte, who is also known as one of the authors of the world popular game "ICECOOL" created in Latvia. The game is produced by SIA "Folded" and will be available in "Brain Games" stores and "Jāņa Rozes" bookstores already in October this year.

The game is already available: https://www.brain-games.lv/products/LNKS

Information prepared by:
Ministry of Military Public Relations Department
Senior reporter of the press department
Vita Briže
Phone: 67335045
E-mail: vita.brize@mod.gov.lv