You have already discovered a lot about World Order, but now it’s time to shine a light at the backstage, on the dedicated team that brought it to life. At the heart of World Order lies the powerful vision of Hegemonic Project Games: to create board games that not only entertain but also educate players about the complexities of our geopolitical landscape. We strive to challenge traditional gaming norms, aiming to ignite a passion for learning and understanding in every player.
This journey is a collective effort, fueled by a passionate group of designers, developers, and academic experts. Each member brings a unique perspective, combining years of experience. Together, we work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of World Order resonates with our mission. This project is not just about gameplay; it’s about fostering understanding and dialogue around the critical issues that shape our world today. Let’s take a closer look at the talented individuals who are instrumental in making this ambitious dream come real.
Varnavas Timotheou – Founder, Co-Designer
The visionary behind World Order and the founder and CEO of Hegemonic Project Games. With a strong academic background, including a BA in International Politics, an MA in International Political Economy, and an MBA with distinction, Varnavas is passionate about making complex global issues accessible through gaming. He also co-designed Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, blending education and entertainment to create meaningful, thought-provoking experiences that challenge players to think critically about world affairs.
Vangelis Bagiartakis – Head of Design & Development
As a professional game designer with over a decade of experience (and a MSc in Physics), he has been instrumental in shaping World Order. With more than 30 titles under his belt, including critically acclaimed games like Among the Stars, Freedom!, and Kitchen Rush, Vangelis brings creativity and precision to his work. As Head of Design & Development, he has worked extensively on the design and production of World Order, ensuring that it not only delivers a rich gameplay experience but also accurately reflects the intricate mechanics of global politics.
Alexandros Tziranis – Head of Operations
Brings over 30 years of visionary experience across multiple industries, including technology, agriculture, and automotive. With degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and MIT, along with a Master’s in Business, Psychology, and Communication, Alexandros is responsible for driving the operational growth of Hegemonic Project. His expertise ensures that the team’s vision is executed smoothly, from the creative process to market launch.
Katerina Xerovasila – Art Director
Co-founder of the design studio “Truly”, is the creative force behind the visual identity of World Order. She holds an MA in Design from the University of Northumbria and has worked with top advertising companies and design studios. As Art Director, Katerina has also been instrumental in crafting the visual aspects of Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, and now used her skills to create stunning, immersive graphics for World Order.
Dimitra Issari – Marketing Manager
The Marketing and Community Manager at Hegemonic Project Games, where she excels in content creation, community engagement, and brand management. With a Master’s in Cultural Management and extensive experience in digital marketing and project coordination, Dimitra ensures that World Order reaches the gaming community that would love Hegemonic Project board games and connects the gaming community with the team’s vision, fostering a passionate player base.
Anna Tzirani – Customer Support
Handles customer support for Hegemonic Project Games. Her role is crucial in ensuring that players feel supported and valued. Whether it’s answering questions or addressing concerns, Anna is here to make sure that every player’s experience with World Order is smooth and enjoyable.
Dimitris Siakampenis – Game Developer
Despite holding a degree in Biomedical Sciences, Dimitris Siakampenis’ passion for board games ultimately guided his career path. His engagement began in 2015 through playtesting groups, honing his skills and understanding of game mechanics. By 2021, Dimitris transitioned to a professional role as a game developer, where he made significant contributions to the playtesting of Hegemony. Currently, he is dedicated to the creation and development of additional content for World Order, ensuring that the game continues to evolve and captivate players.
Miłosz Wojtasik – Illustrator
An illustrator by trade and a nerd by choice. A graduate of the University of Silesia in Poland, he spends his time creating captivating artwork for board games, including World Order. His illustrations immerse players in the global struggle for power, beautifully capturing the essence of each faction.
Panayiotis Zinoviadis – Game Developer
Α mechanical engineer by trade and marvels at deciphering the mechanical nature of everything, including the mechanisms and interactions of board and card games. He started playtesting and eventually co designed the various expansions of board games. He was an Associate developer for Null Signal Games from 2018 to 2023. Following that, he dedicated his expertise to developing and balancing World Order, tackling the challenging task of merging realism with gameplay balance. Panagiotis’s passion for game mechanics shines through in every aspect of his work.
George Georgiadis – Video Editor
A filmmaker, animator, and the founder of Oniro, a creative agency that specialises in immersive visuals and cinematic experiences for board games. With his team, George has worked with some of the industry’s top publishers and designers to create stunning videos, 3D visualisations, and photography. For World Order, George used his expertise to craft videos that showcase the depth and excitement of the game.
World Order is supported by a group of academic specialists who make sure the game reflects actual geopolitical concepts and principles. Their extensive expertise in international relations allowed us to create a game that is not only realistic but also deeply educational about the situation of the 2010s. By assisting us in creating a narrative that mirrors the complexity of world politics, these contributions significantly enhance the gaming experience. World Order is therefore made to encourage participants to understand the global balance of powers of our modern world.
Dr. Chris Oates, PhD – US Expert Academic Contributor
Founder of Two Lanterns Advisory and a political risk consultant with a PhD in International Relations from University of Oxford. He has also served as a Senior Advisor to Voter Choice 2020 and has worked at Oxford Analytica. Dr. Oates brings his extensive knowledge of US foreign policy and military strategy to the game. His insights ensure that the mechanics reflect the complexities of American influence on the global stage.
Dr. Russell Foster – EU Expert Academic Contributor
Lecturer at King’s College London, he has a background in multiple disciplines which informs his approach to European and International Studies. His PhD, approached the EU as the continuation of a historical theory of empire; a discourse which is manifest in the EU’s cartography and iconography. Dr. Foster evaluates the political principles and adds depth to World Order’s portrayal of the EU.
Dr. Connor Judge – China Expert Academic Contributor
Researcher and lecturer of the Chinese Studies Programme in University of Botswana. He was a recipient of the Harvard-Yenching Institute and Ashoka University China Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship and a visiting research scholar at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, and Christ University, in India. Dr. Judge received his PhD from SOAS, University of London, in Chinese and Inner Asian Studies and brings to World Order a deep understanding of China’s geopolitical strategy, ensuring that the game accurately reflects the country’s rise as a global power.
Dr. Igor Logvinenko – Russia Expert Academic Contributor
Associate Professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs and a faculty affiliate of the John Parke Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy at Occidental College and Director of the Undergraduate Research Center at Occidental College. His book, Global Finance, Local Control: Corruption and Wealth in Contemporary Russia (2021), won the 2023 Best Book Award from the International Political Economy section of the International Studies Association. With a background at prestigious institutions like Columbia, and a PhD at Cornell University he brings valuable expertise to Russia’s ambitions and constraints.
Dr. Moritz S. Graefrath – International Relations Expert Academic Contributor
Postdoctoral fellow in security and foreign policy at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute as well as an affiliate scholar with the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame. With a PhD in political science from Notre Dame, Dr. Graefrath brings a wealth of knowledge to the World Order team. His previous roles include serving as a Max Weber fellow at the European University Institute and as a grand strategy, security, and statecraft fellow with a joint appointment at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and MIT’s Security Studies Program.
Dr. Zenonas Tziarras – Academic Advisor
Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo Cyprus Centre, where he specialises in the geopolitics and security of the Eastern Mediterranean and a co-founder of Geopolitical Cyprus, an online platform dedicated to geopolitical analysis and intelligence. Dr. Tziarras joins the World Order team with a wealth of experience and a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick. His insights ensure that the game’s design is firmly grounded in academic principles of international relations, enhancing its educational depth and giving players a nuanced understanding of modern geopolitical issues.
Emanuel Pietrobon – Academic Associate
Emanuel is a political analyst and hybrid warfare expert. His contributions help ensure that the game mechanics mirror the complexity of hybrid warfare, particularly in regions like Europe and the Middle East.
With such a diverse and talented team behind World Order, it’s clear that this game is going to be an exceptional journey through the geopolitical landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to launch the Kickstarter campaign. We can’t wait for you to experience the depth, strategy, and educational value of World Order!