This release is part of Ares distribution deal with Asyncron inked back in 2021 (see "Distribution Deal").  In this game, set in the Cold War from 1950 to 1990, players control five different blocs of the world (the Atlantic Alliance, the Warsaw Pact, the Non-Aligned Movement, France, and China) and work their way through different scenarios.  The blocs each have their own strengths, weaknesses, and technology.  The game progresses as the Defcon level goes from 5 to 1, opening up new in-game strategic options as the situations become more intense.

The game box comes with a game board, 5 punchboards containing Mission and Objective cards, 70 wooden barrels, 95 wooden cubes, 5 Bloc boards, 6 family boards, a rulebook, a Technology booklet, and 6 wooden Defcon triangles.  DEFCON 1 is for two to five players, ages 14 and up, and plays in 90 minutes.