Empire of the Rising Sun, initially designated "Global War 2000", began development with rules and components posted online, publicly available for anyone who might want to be a playtester and might offer feedback. This was eventually published by GMT Games in 2003, as A World at War. The game's development continues, with updated rules and components available online. At the same time, Avalanche Press was developing a variation known as John Prados' Third Reich. Designed by Brian L. Knipple and published by Avalanche Press, it has distinctly different mechanics from Rise and Decline of the Third Reich, although it is simpler and resembles the original more closely than the GMT version. Reception In the April 1975 issue of Airfix Magazine, Bruce Quarrie called Third Reich "One of the most interesting, though complicated, games to come our way for some time." Quarrie noted that one of the positive aspects of its complexity was that "There is literally no end to the permutations which can be employed in this game, which demands a basic knowledge of strategy and economic principles as well as basic military tactics." He concluded, "It is one of the most ambitious games ever produced and certainly not one for the novice to attempt, but for the experi- enced wargamer it presents an absorbing challenge." In a 1976 poll conducted by Simulations Publications Inc. to determine the most popular wargames in North America, Third Reich placed a highly respectable 33rd out of 202 games. In a similar poll conducted by Avalon Hill but only for their own products, Third Reich placed 6th out of 25 Avalon Hill games. In his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming, Nicholas Palmer noted that "Third Reichs strongest point is the military production system, which works smoothly (if with questionable historical accuracy in certain cases) and ties the game together." He thought the game was "excellent both for two players or more, though the rules tie the players closely to history and limit diplomatic opportunities." He concluded with a warning that the game was "Extremely complex, with rules disputes not uncommon; every participant should be good to make the game really come to life." In The Guide to Simulations/Games for Education and Training, Martin Campion called this "an innovative and challenging game which allows a player to experience the complexity of events in a total war." Campion concluded "The game breaks down