Early 2005
- The U.S. President bows to growing Domestic pressures and instigates a program to bring home all troops stationed on foreign soil - this follows growing casualty lists from abroad. "Our continued involvement in the turmoil of the Middle East and Africa is destroying the very fabric of our military traditions. No longer do our youth aspire to serve their country, we have digressed to the days of the Vietnam War where we are seen as an unwanted presence in an unfriendly land."

In response to the growing instability of the United States economy, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela lead a movement within OPEC to change the standard currency with which the nations of the world pay for their oil. For decades, this had been the US dollar, and the resulting demand for the dollar had supported ever-increasing American trade deficits. On May 18th, 2005 OPEC surprises the world with their announcement that they would begin to set their benchmark oil prices exclusively in Euros.

The days to follow were tumultuous - currency brokers rushed to cash in U.S. dollars for gold, Euros and Yen. The world's financial markets were overwhelmed. Spurred by the immediate panic of "Day Traders", the market lost 40% of its value in a single day. Within two weeks, all the major indices in the world had lost at least 65% of their value. The resulting chaos quickly spread beyond US borders driving the world into the worst Depression ever experienced.

August 2005
– The Market Crash's effects spread, first to trade, and soon after to politics. And then things got worse. August was the hottest month on record in most of Europe and North America. Energy demand soared, brownouts became common, and tempers flared. Racial and ethnic tensions also soared; many in Europe blamed Muslim nations for the crash that was costing so many jobs. Savage and sustained riots broke out in England, Germany and France. Governments realized that their only hope of maintaining their hold on power was to follow the public demand for anti-immigrant measures.

Yet there were many other targets of popular rage and resentment. The institutions associated with global trade, internationalism and finance were the target of increasingly ugly demonstrations, protests that built upon widespread support. Well-directed riots ripped the headquarters of multi-national corporations and institutions into burnt out shells. Banks were particularly targeted for the attacks.

November 2005
– A failed assassination attempt of Saudi Arabia's King immediately led to one of the most brutal crackdowns on civilian freedoms in modern history. Citing a lack of support from former friends, the Royal Family declared martial law. This action immediately echoed throughout the Persian Gulf, but could not save the government of Yemen or the fledgling administration in Iraq. The more radical Islamic leaders soon dominated both nations.

2006
– Citizens of the United States were finally learning how reliant on foreign investment they had really become, and that the latest problems weren't likely to end soon… Since the 1980's, a significant flow of foreign funds had kept the stock markets buoyant and had covered the debts from ongoing federal budget deficits. Over that time, foreign investment had reached potentially disastrous and unsustainable heights. The previous year's sudden withdrawal of foreign funds, combined with the ballooning deficit and negative trade balance, caused a complete economic collapse. Unemployment in many parts of the U.S. escalates, quickly surpassing the 15% mark and in some states reaching over 20%. Many states and most of the major cities declare bankruptcy. The speed of the economic catastrophe shocks the world --- the last Super Power has lost its teeth!

Winter came late to the Northern Hemisphere. It was mild and ended unseasonably early, to be replaced by another hot summer. The Arctic and Greenland icecaps shrank noticeably, pouring fresh water into the North Atlantic. Unnoticed by a distracted world, the great Atlantic Conveyor current, heat engine of the Northern Hemisphere, began to stutter, not quite to a halt, but to a weakened shadow of its former self. Without the massive influx of tropical heat, temperature extremes became even more unpredictable, and in many parts of the world global warming turned suddenly into a mini ice age. By October the snows were blowing all across Europe and North America, adding to energy woes.

2007
– In response to the continued depression, countries across the globe try and protect themselves with tariffs and import restrictions. The actions were too late to battle the tidal wave of unemployment, uncertainty and unrest that had already killed the demand for trade. The U.S. retreats into an isolationist shell, as do most of the Western Democracies. Canada and the United Kingdom outwardly seem the least affected, but even they experience growing separatist movements within as the harsh winter winds pound their people.

With the void left on the world stage by the U.S., many regional hostilities are renewed. Global tensions mount. Border skirmishes become common. Typical of these was the series of clashes between Australia and Indonesia from July to October of 2007 over the wave of "boat people" refugees. The superior equipment and training of the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force prevailed, but it was far from being the last border war caused by refugees.

Feeble attempts by the United Nations to curb the growing hostilities between nations failed miserably. Faced with massive unrest and calls for emergency services at home, European countries with forces overseas in "peacekeeping" and humanitarian missions begin withdrawing them. The Third World is now on its own. The UN disintegrates as nations that once sent money and troops now could spare neither. On October 19th, by a margin of 148 Nations in favor, 26 Nations opposed (with 17 abstentions) the United Nations votes itself out of existence…

As domestic priorities and interests grow, organizations such as NATO receive fewer resources, and soon follow the fate of the UN as they are disbanded.

2008
– Worldwide, the smaller developed nations with mostly homogenous populations do better than most. Conglomerates like Russia, China, Canada, the U.S. experience the greatest troubles, with Australia being among the first to splinter. Fed by the disparity between regions, South Eastern Australia begins to form its own economic and social rules, cutting itself off from the rest of the country. As the Sydney area then begins to show some signs of economic recovery, other regions around the world decide to take a similar approach.

Russia becomes a snakepit of competing ethnic and national fighting around its Slavic core. For generations, Russia had sent people to Siberia. Now, Siberia sent its weather to the people of Russia. They shivered, and began to move west and south.

In the U.S., Southern California is the first to make a similar move. Amid violent fighting between Hispanic, Anglo and Asian minorities, they impose economic and political restrictions on their neighboring regions, claiming that an unfair burden is being placed on them by their State and Federal taxation. Following closely on Southern California's heels, a separate Hispanic region forms around the shell of Los Angeles. Many other states suffer a similar fate…

2009
– By this time, only countries too small or too poor to support further divisions have maintained their National Identity. The US, Germany, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, and many others have all dissolved into self-governed sub-regions.

The institutions of globalism and multi-nationalism had taken a savage pounding between 2005 and 2009, yet they still have adherents and considerable resources. Money, gold, diamonds, stockpiled commodities and even arms are available to these special interest groups.

Out of the ashes of the United Nations, a new organization begins to form… Many of the world's new semi-autonomous regions meet secretly over a period of weeks, culminating in an unexpected announcement heralding the formation of the "World Market". As details are released it becomes apparent that many former UN Diplomats as well as key figures in Industry and Commerce fully understood the disaster of the UN's demise. They had since been working clandestinely towards filling the void it had left. At first the World Market is regarded with nothing short of contempt, but then comes a Press Release that changes everyone's perspective…

April 20th, 2009 – For immediate Release

"The World Market today wishes to inform Regional Leaders that their actions will no longer be without consequence. In addition to our economic resources and our ability to provide a common marketplace for the trade of goods, we now also have the ability to police the actions of rogue states. We have by far the largest military organization remaining on the planet, and although our objectives are benevolent, should you feel the need to test us, please be aware that we are also a nuclear power."

The next day, test detonations in the South Pacific corroborate this claim and within two months further publicized "Military Maneuvers" verify the might of The World Market's forces.

By the beginning of November most regions have, to varying degrees of willingness, joined this new partnership. A renewed sense of international community is born, but the full agenda of the World Market is yet to be known. There are a lot of surprises waiting for us!

January 1st, 2010
– With the beginning of a new year and something of a growing sense of international optimism, the World Market announces a new goal. "We are pleased to see that there is now some sense of global community reforming, but we feel it is important to accelerate this. As such, the existing regionalism must end. The methods to accomplish this will be left in regional hands, but be assured that if you do not take this task on yourselves, we can and will impose this objective. While we understand that in many cases this could increase regional tensions, the ends do justify the means! Be advised that as of one year from today, if you have not begun steps to align with your neighbors, we will begin making those decisions on your behalf and backing them militarily."

It is uncertain whether this pronouncement had the intended effect… Over the next few months some regions began working together with neighbors and organized peaceful reunification votes. Yet other regions began to further isolate themselves and begin military buildups. It became apparent to many that no matter how benign the objective, it could not be achieved without great cost. What would happen next, was anyone's guess.

Do you have the strength, cunning, and common sense to ensure that your Region will have a major role in crafting the "New World Order"? Or will you be one of the first casualties in an unforgiving struggle to become the Supreme Ruler???

Here are some key features of "Supreme Ruler 2010 Demo":

· SATELLITE IMAGERY - Maps use actual "Real World" imagery
· REAL-TIME or TURN BASED PLAY OPTIONS
· CAMPAIGN - Start in one of over 200 Regions World-Wide!
· MULTI-PLAYER SUPPORT FOR UP TO 16 PLAYERS
· EXTENSIVE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MODEL
· MAP AND SCENARIO EDITOR INCLUDED


Requirements:

· Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP
· Pentium II 400MHz (Pentium III 800 Recommended)
· 128MB RAM (256MB RAM Recommended)
· 3D Graphics Card with 8MB Video RAM (32MB AGP Video RAM Recommended)
· DirectX 8.1 or Higher
· DirectX Compatible Sound Card
· 4X CD-ROM Drive


Limitations:

· The Demo Version does not include any "Campaigns", and it also does not include Nuclear Weapons.


Requirements:

· Add features/limitations/changes here