In the year 2030, China, India, and Brazil are in ascendance, threatening the hegemony of the old Imperial powers of the United States, Russia, and Europe. This has sparked a new global race for power and influence. Ultimately, these nations are only puppets in a treacherous game, as their fates are controlled by powerful international investors operating in the background. In Imperial 2030, each player takes on the role of such an investor on the constant lookout for the maximum return on his investment in their quest for ruthless control of the great powers.