Long Live the King

About this board game

Long Live the King is a live-action strategy game for 5–30 players, with an approximately 240-minute playing time, set in the court of a medieval kingdom awaiting its old King’s demise.

In this fragile monarchy, each player schemes to gain influence over the coming succession. Players receive money and intrigue cards, then use them to increase their favor with the King, form alliances, and pursue personal objectives. Since every unique character has a different victory condition, cooperation can be temporary—and betrayal may become the path to revenge.

The game features seven distinct court roles: Ambassador, Archbishop, Baron, Queen, Royal Bastard, Steward, and Treasurer. The King may be played by a Game Master, which is optional but recommended, while additional players can take the roles of minor characters and roleplay the effects of cards in play.

Each session unfolds across three phases, creating a structured rhythm of resource management, private negotiation, and public debate:

• Audience phase: resources are distributed.
• Diplomacy phase: off-table diplomacy takes place.
• Council phase: players make and discuss petitions.

Roleplaying is central to Long Live the King. Players are encouraged to act out cards and abilities, and the King can grant Favor to those who deliver particularly dramatic or cunning performances. The game blends diplomacy and backstabbing with strategic control of cards and limited resources, creating a court where alliances may never last long.

The game includes a 31-page rulebook, seven player portfolios, a Royal Bag of Coin, coins of the realm, and 200 cards divided into six types. Long Live the King was released in 2006.