Boxed board game, XCOM, made in China by Fantasy Flight Games in 2014

XCOM boxed board game consisting of box lid, base and an insert housing the game components. The box lid is covered in paper, colour printed with text and the image of five figures in silhouette, all wearing combat clothing and holding weapons. The text 'XCOM / THE BOARD GAME' is printed on the box front and sides.

Game components:
Quad-folding playing board featuring graphics of a globe, world map and other graphics relating to combat and aliens
Rule booklet
12 Mission cards
5 Invasion Plan cards
4 Role Reference cards
7 Reserve cards (two sizes)
15 Asset cards
28 Tech cards
32 Crisis cards
63 Enemy cards
4 XCOM dice
1 Alien dice
Card with 76 push out card game tokens
3 Heavy Soldier figures
3 Assault Soldier figures
3 Sniper Soldier figures
3 Support Soldier figures
8 Interceptors
24 UFOs

Also included is a Winter 2014 catalogue for Fantasy Flight Games.

XCOM the board game is a cooperative game for 1 to 4 players and is an example of a computer game that has a physical board game version but also uses a digital app during game play.

The following text is from the Introduction in the rule booklet:

'Each player assumes a unique role within XCOM. The alien invasion is controlled by a free software application....players must work together, assigning Interceptors, deploying soldiers to missions, and researching advanced technology in order to overcome the invasion.

Each round begins with a real-time phase. In the real-time phase, players start the app and information is relayed about the alien invasion. UFOs appear over various continents, crisis cards are drawn from a crisis deck, and aliens assault the XCOM base. Players deploy soldiers to defend the base and go on missions, Interceptors to shoot down the UFOs, scientists to research technology, and satellites to collect intel and jam communications.

After resources are assigned, the real-time phase ends and each deployment is resolved with a push-your-luck dice mechanic. If UFOs are not removed from the board, they cause worldwide panic. As Interceptors and soldiers are defeated, players will have to build and recruit more of each in order to save humanity.'

The original XCOM was a computer game, first released in 1994 and rebooted in 2012. The board game is based on the reboot and was launched in 2015. The premise is that the players are leaders of the XCOM organisation, fighting an alien invasion of earth. The game uses a downloadable digital app as a crucial component of play; the app generates random elements that either help or hinder play.

B.969:1 to 33-2015