Decades from now, friends may become first people known to have finished The Campaign for North Africa

“We have had a six-turn practice run. It took about 18 months,” said Andy Taeger, with what seemed like a chuckle as he contemplated playing the world’s most complicated board game.

“Based on that, we are looking at a 20- to 30-year run for the full game,” said his gaming partner James Purcell. “We’ve come to terms with it.”