The Urban Calculus (TUC) is essentially a very high-level, highly abstracted model of modern urban conflict – and particularly its non-combat implications and trade-offs. It is a systems model, and the “game” is really there to help to get people to look at, consider and discuss the model and to think how the values in the model/game might vary for different past and future urban conflicts.

The game uses standard decks of cards (at least 2) rather than dice to introduce levels of uncertainty, and the map/board has been designed so that the model values can be written using a dry-wipe pen and changed from game to game – or even mid-game if someone makes a good enough argument! The game needs about 100 cubes (or similar counters), and ideally about 20 larger/different counters to represent stacks of 5 cubes.

• Read the TUC Designer's Notes
• Download a Zip of all the Print'n'Play Files (8mb) (Right click and choose “save as”)
• Rules only
• Game Board only
• Playable Powerpoint - save you needing all the cubes! (Right click and choose “save as”)
• TUC Video: Part 1 - Introduction
• TUC Video: Part 2 - How to Play
• TUC Video: Part 3 - TUC Evolved

The Tabletop Simulator version is hopefully coming in December 2024.

Listen to the NotebookLM generated “podcast” review of the game