Balance of Power XVI is a simulation of the world starting on January 1, 1919. Players may join as countries, parties, cabinet members, army officers, militant groups, corporations, individuals, or most any other position they can think of.

The game is played by sending a private message to the Gamemaster (aka GM, person in charge of the game, in this case Ismail) describing what actions you intend to do for the turn. The GM then gives you the chance of success for your actions and their possible results, and runs the chances through a random number generator to come up with the end result.

Each turn represents a month gone by in game. Each turn lasts for five days. A turn may be delayed for up to three additional days if at least three players request it.