East India Companies

About this board game

East India Companies is a trading and investment board game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 120 minutes. Set in the 18th and 19th centuries, it places players in charge of large shipping companies connecting the West with far-flung trading posts in India.

Players manage ships and trade in highly sought-after commodities, including tea, spices, coffee, and silk. The buying and selling prices of these goods are closely tied to supply and demand, creating opportunities to make—and risk—large fortunes as circumstances change.

Alongside purchasing goods, players can invest money in shares of their own company or in those of their competitors. The constantly fluctuating market makes every investment a choice: is it better to commit funds to the stock market, or use them to acquire valuable cargo?

• Manage a large shipping company and its fleet.
• Trade tea, spices, coffee, and silk.
• Invest in your own shares or those of competing companies.
• Balance ship speed against cargo capacity.

Fleet management is another central decision. Players may choose fast ships with low tonnage or slower vessels with larger holds, weighing speed against the ability to transport more goods. Whatever approach they take, their strategies will influence the decisions of their opponents.

With its combination of shipping, commodities, investment, and market timing, East India Companies challenges players to respond to changing conditions while pursuing the most rewarding path for their company.