Imperial 2030

2009

Imperial 2030 is an intriguing board game where players, as international investors, manipulate global powers to gain maximum returns. Experience diplomacy, strategy, and high-stakes finance!

180
minutes

2 - 6
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Imperial 2030 is an intriguing, strategic board game set in a future where the world is dominated by six superpowers: The United States, Europe, Russia, India, China, and Brazil. Each player takes on the role of an international investor, maneuvering behind the scenes, funding various nations, and influencing their development, policies, and military operations.

In this world of geopolitical intrigue and economic power, the goal is not to lead a single nation to world dominance, but to invest wisely and manipulate the world stage to maximize your own wealth and influence. The game ends when one nation has a worldwide presence, but it’s the richest investor – not necessarily the one backing the winning nation – who triumphs.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Imperial 2030 is a popular strategy board game where players represent international investors in the early 20th century. The game’s components are crucial for the gameplay. Here’s a list of each component and what they do:

1. Game Board: The game board represents the world map divided into different countries. Each country has its industrial and economic zones. Players will use this map to strategize their investments, maneuvers, and conquests.

2. Investor Cards: These cards are used to determine the order of play for each round. The player with the highest total investment gets the first turn, followed by the player with the second highest investment, and so on.

3. Bond Cards: These cards represent investments in the six great powers. Players use these cards to gain control of different nations. The more bonds a player has of a particular nation, the more control they exercise over that nation’s actions.

4. Nation Markers: There are six nation markers corresponding to each of the six great powers. These markers track the industrial growth and economic capability of the corresponding nations on the scoring track.

5. Money: The game includes paper money which is used by the players to buy bonds, fund military operations, and pay interest on bonds.

6. Factories: The factories are placed on the board in the spaces of the corresponding nations. They represent the industrial power of a nation. A nation’s income increases with each factory it owns.

7. Armies and Fleets: These pieces represent military units. Players, controlling the corresponding nations, can use these units to conquer territories and protect their own. Armies are used for land battles, while fleets are used for sea battles.

8. Swiss Bank Cards: These cards are used when a player does not control any nation. It allows the player to invest freely in any nation without controlling its actions.

9. Control Markers: These markers denote which player currently controls a particular nation. The player with the majority of bonds in a nation places their control marker on it, gaining control of its actions.

10. Round Marker: This marker is used to keep track of game rounds on the rondel, a special game mechanism for determining the available actions in a round.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Imperial 2030 is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of international investors in the world powers of the year 2030. The game is set in a world where resources and control shift between nations, with players vying for the most profitable investments. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Unpack the Game

Take out the game board and place it in the center of the table. Make sure all players have clear visibility and access to the board.

Step 2: Assigning Roles

Each player chooses a color and takes the investor card and matching control markers of that color. The investor card shows the amount of money the player has at the start of the game.

Step 3: Setting Up the Board

Place the six nation markers on the “0” space of the scoring track. The six nations are China, India, Brazil, USA, Russia, and Europe. Place the marker for the Swiss Bank on the “2” space of the scoring track.

Step 4: Initial Resources

Each player receives an amount of money as indicated on their investor card. They also receive two control markers. One marker is placed on the “0” space of the scoring track and the other is placed on the table in front of the player. The latter is used to indicate which nation the player currently controls.

Step 5: Random Elements

Shuffle the six nation cards and deal one to each player. The nation card indicates which nation the player initially controls. The player places one of their control markers on the nation card to indicate this. The player also places their other control marker on the corresponding nation on the game board.

Step 6: Placing Initial Factories and Armies

Each nation starts with a certain number of factories and armies, as indicated on the game board. Place the corresponding number of factories and armies on the board for each nation.

Step 7: Investor Card Auction

The first action of the game is an auction for the investor cards. Starting with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeding clockwise, each player has the chance to bid on the investor cards. The highest bidder takes the card and pays their bid to the bank. This process is repeated until all players have an investor card.

Step 8: Game Start

The game begins with the player who won the first investor card auction. Play proceeds clockwise around the table.

Game flow Round and round we go

Imperial 2030 is a strategic board game where players embody investors in six imperial nations. The game is divided into rounds and each round has three phases: Action Phase, Investor Phase, and Swiss Bank Phase.

Action Phase: During this phase, players perform actions based on the power of the nation they control. The player with the highest investment chooses a nation and performs one of the following five actions:

Raise Taxes: The player collects money from the nation’s treasury equal to the tax value.
Factory Production: The player increases the nation’s factory production by moving units from the factory to the production line.
Maneuver: The player can move his nation’s units across the board.
Investor: The player can invest in a nation, becoming the nation’s controller.
Import: The player can import goods, increasing the nation’s wealth.

Investor Phase: During this phase, players may invest in the nations. The player with the most money can buy a bond in any nation. The player who owns the highest bond of a nation becomes the nation’s controller for the next round.

Swiss Bank Phase: In this phase, players receive interest on their bonds in the Swiss Bank. The bank pays interest to the bond owners based on the current interest rate. After the Swiss Bank pays out the interest, the round ends, and a new round begins with the Action Phase.

The game ends when one of the following conditions is met:

One nation has all of its factories on the board.
All nations have at least one factory on the board.
The bank has no more money to pay out interest.

The player with the most money in bonds and cash at the end of the game is the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Imperial 2030 is a rich and complex board game where players control international conglomerates in the early 21st century. The game is played in a series of rounds where players take turns to perform various actions. Here’s what happens during a player’s turn:

During a player’s turn, they may choose to take one of five actions:

Investor: The player takes the investor card, collects the interest from the bank, and has the opportunity to purchase bonds. This is a strategic move that can give the player long-term financial benefits, as bonds generate income and can increase a player’s ability to control nations.
Taxation: The player collects taxes from the nations they control, with the amount depending on the economic development of the nation. This is a quick way to gain cash, but it does not contribute to the nation’s progress.
Factory: The player builds a factory in a nation they control, which increases the nation’s economic development level. This action requires a cash payment, but it increases the tax revenue and the nation’s military capacity.
Maneuver: The player moves the armies and fleets of the nations they control. This can be used to expand a nation’s territory, protect its borders, or threaten other players. The player must consider the balance between aggression and defense, as overextending can leave a nation vulnerable.
Import: The player imports armies or fleets from the reserve to the nations they control. This action requires a cash payment, but it increases the nation’s military capacity and can be used to prepare for a maneuver.

After taking their action, the player moves the nation marker along the rondel (action wheel) to show that the nation has acted. The number of steps the marker moves depends on the action taken, and this can affect the timing of the nation’s next turn.

Strategy in ‘Imperial 2030’ is a complex mix of finance, politics, and military tactics. Players must consider not only the immediate benefits of their actions, but also their long-term goals and the actions of other players. By carefully managing their resources and making strategic decisions, players can guide their nations to prosperity and dominance.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Imperial 2030 is an engaging and strategic board game where players control international investors. The game ends and the final scoring takes place under specific conditions, and the victory is decided based on certain criteria. Here’s a detailed explanation:

The game of Imperial 2030 ends in one of the two following scenarios:

When the “World Domination” marker reaches the “End” space on the Rondel. This occurs after each player takes their turn, moving the marker one step forward on the Rondel.
When all six great powers have their flag tokens in the investor space. This indicates all countries are financially backed by investors.

Before the final scoring, players must perform the following actions:

Debt Repayment: Each player must pay back any remaining loans to the bank. If a player is unable to pay back their loan, they must forfeit their shares equal to the amount of debt.
Dividend Distribution: Each player receives dividends for their shares in each great power. The amount of dividend is determined by the position of the power’s flag on the investor space.

The victory conditions are as follows:

After the game end condition is met and all necessary actions have been performed, victory is determined based on the total value of each player’s assets. This includes:

The total cash in hand
The value of each player’s shares in each great power. This is calculated by multiplying the number of shares owned in each great power by the value of each share, as indicated on the investor space.

The player with the highest total value of assets wins the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most cash in hand wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Imperial 2030’, scoring is a critical aspect of determining the winner. This process involves a complex system where players acquire points through strategic investments in various nations. Let’s delve into the specifics of this scoring system.

Calculating points

At the end of the game, each player calculates their points based on the following criteria:

Investor Cards: Each player will receive the number of points indicated on their highest investor card.
Nation’s Power: A player receives points equal to the power of each nation they control. The power of a nation is equal to the nation’s treasury divided by two, rounded down.
Bonds: Each player also receives points equal to the face value of their bonds in each nation.

Tie-breaking rules

In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the following tie-breaking rules apply:

The player with the highest-valued single nation is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most bonds wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the highest investor card wins.
If a tie still persists, the victory is shared.

Mastering the scoring system in ‘Imperial 2030’ is key to understanding the game’s dynamics and developing successful strategies. Remember, the ultimate goal is to maximize your points through smart investments and strategic control of nations.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Imperial 2030 is a complex strategy game that requires careful planning and strategic thinking. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications that might be important to understand when playing this game:

Investor Card:

The player with the Investor card starts the game. This card is not attached to any specific nation and can be passed around based on who performs the ‘Investor’ action. The card also determines the player order in the game.

Nation Control:

Control of a nation can change throughout the game. The player with the most bonds in a nation becomes the new controller. In case of a tie, the player who bought the bond with the highest value first gets control.

Swiss Bank:

One of the unique features in Imperial 2030 is the Swiss Bank. It is a neutral, unplayable power that can own bonds and collect interest, but cannot perform any actions. It’s a strategic element that can influence the game’s economy.

Sea Movement:

Unlike land movement, sea movement allows nations to move their armies and fleets through sea areas controlled by other nations without needing permission.

Action Sequence:

The game follows a strict sequence of actions – Taxation, Factory, Maneuver, Investor. A player cannot choose to skip an action.

Taxation: The active nation collects taxes from its home provinces and foreign provinces it controls. The money collected is added to the nation’s treasury.
Factory: The active nation can build new armies and fleets in its home factories, provided it has enough money in its treasury.
Maneuver: The active nation can move its armies and fleets to explore or conquer new provinces.
Investor: Any player can buy a bond from the active nation. The player who buys the highest value bond becomes the new controller of the Investor card.

End of Game:

The game ends when either one nation reaches 25 points on the power track, or the “End of Game” card is drawn from the Investor card pile. The player with the highest total value of bonds and cash on hand is declared the winner.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The board game of Imperial 2030 involves strategic thinking, clever manipulation, and a keen understanding of economic principles. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, and common mistakes to avoid which can help to optimize your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Swiss Banking: One common strategy is to use Switzerland as a bank. As it cannot be invaded, you can safely invest money there and get a 2% return each round.
Factory Focus: Concentrate on building factories in nations that have a high number of regions. This will ensure a steady income stream.
Flagship Nation: Choose a nation to be your flagship nation and invest heavily in it. A strong flagship nation can help to deter attacks from other players.

Beginner Tips:

Patience is Key: Don’t rush to invest in nations. Wait until you’ve got a good grasp of the game mechanics and the state of the board.
Diversify Investments: Don’t put all your money into one nation. Spread your investments across multiple nations to minimize risk.
Use Bonds Wisely: Bonds can be a powerful tool, but they can also tie up your cash. Be careful not to over-invest in bonds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Avoid investing all your money in a single nation as it leaves you vulnerable.
Avoid neglecting your factories. They are crucial to your income and your nation’s power.
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed investment. It can turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Learn the Game: The best way to optimize your gameplay is to learn the rules thoroughly. Understand how each action affects the game and strategize accordingly.
Communicate: Effective communication with other players can help you form alliances and plan strategies.
Plan Ahead: Always think a few moves ahead. Consider how your current move will affect future turns and plan accordingly.