Ten rounds. Every round, you and your rival secretly choose a posture — de-escalate, hold, escalate, or go all-in on the brink — then reveal at the same time. Push too hard together and the clock runs out for everyone.
Over 10 rounds, out-maneuver your rival in a classic game of nuclear chicken. Finish with higher Prestige than your rival — without ever letting the Doomsday Clock reach 100%.
De-escalate — stand down; big rewards if your rival does too, painful if they don't. Hold — steady, safe, modest gains either way. Escalate — press your advantage; raises the Clock. Brink — go all-in (limited uses each); huge swings, huge risk, especially if your rival matches you.
You and the rival choose at the same time, blind to each other. Reveal happens together. There's no way to see their move before committing to yours — read their pattern, not their cards.
Mutual restraint cools it down; mutual escalation spikes it hard. If it ever reaches 100%, the standoff goes nuclear — Mutual Assured Destruction. Nobody wins.
Survive all 10 rounds and the side with more Prestige wins the diplomatic contest. The margin decides your final rank.