“Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.”
- Charles de Gaulle

Game Map (In Progress, Not Final Art)

In the Shadows is a two-player card-driven game about the desperate struggle of the French Resistance against the occupying Nazi and collaborating French forces between January 1943 and June 1944. In the game you will play as either the Resistance or the Occupation in a fight over the hearts and minds of the French People. The game strives to have players better understand the nuances of the resistance and the clandestine nature of the fight that led to the founding of the fourth French Republic.

The gameplay of In the Shadows is driven by Event cards and Actions based on suits. The game relies on three different suits (the Resistance Cross, the Victory Cross, and the Iron Cross) to determine the cost and effectiveness of your Actions. Narratively, this is meant to represent the vital importance of local networks and resources. You may be working with resources in Paris but need to perform Sabotage Actions in Vichy. In this way, the game can better replicate the choices that the leaders of the Occupation and Resistance needed to make.

Sample Event Cards (near-final art)

The goal of the game for the Resistance is to reduce the Occupation’s authority and recruit others to the movement. For the Occupation, players will be trying to uncover Resistance cells and make arrests. The game will end immediately if either the Resistance has no presence on the map or the Occupation authority reaches the point of collapse.

Sample Resolution Cards (near-final art)

In the Shadows also uses a Resolution deck in lieu of dice. Represented as newspapers, a vital line of communication for the Resistance, these cards allow players to resolve an action with the flip of a card. This unique system allows for a streamlined game that lets players focus more on strategy and less on luck, making for a compelling and quick-playing gaming experience.

Solo Friendly. In the Shadows will also offer a narrative solitaire option where players can take on the role of a leader of the Resistance movement. These different playable characters will allow for diverse experiences against a challenging Occupation automata. Using the same mechanics as the two player game, the solo option is focused on a more immersive gaming experience. This makes In the Shadows unique in that players will essentially be able to enjoy two different games in the same box.

Components:

• One Mounted Mapboard
• Eight Red Resistance Units (2 Informants & 6 Regular)
• One Large Red Resistance Cylinder for Simone Segouin
• Four Yellow Maquisard Units
• Six Blue Milice Units
• 10 Black German Units
• 12 Alert Markers
• One Authority Marker
• One Occupation Resources Marker
• Six White & Six Black Action Pawns

Designers: Dan Bullock and Joe Schmidt
Developer: Jason Carr