Box of "SQUATTER Australia's Own Classic Board Game" featuring an image of a man on horseback herding sheep, with text stating "Over half a million sold in Australasia" and "2-6 players, ages 10 to adult." A QR code is present in the bottom left corner, and a note about mobile video instructions is on the bottom right.
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Squatter (1962)

ByMichail

Squatter

Squatter is a board game invented by Robert (Bob) Crofton Lloyd and introduced at the 1962 Royal Melbourne Show. The game is based on real-life sheep farming and reflects the inextricable link between this industry and Australian history more broadly. Squatting is an historical Australian term that referred to someone who occupied a large tract of Aboriginal land in order to graze livestock. The game has sold over 500,000 copies in Australia by 2007, making it the most successful board game ever developed in Australia.

Why is Squatter Popular?

Squatter is a fun and entertaining simulation game that brings new challenges with every game played. It is designed to entertain adults, but children also enjoy playing with the family. Squatter enables several generations to play on an equal footing, promoting family values and providing an ideal opportunity for conversations and discussions that might otherwise never happen. Squatter creates winners, not losers, and everyone stays in the game until the end, making it enjoyable for all players. The game provides an informative and entertaining connection with an industry resplendent with social, historic, and economic heritage and belongs to the elite group of brand-name board games.

Game Components of Squatter

  • Game Board: A square board with a hexagonal layout representing 6 sheep stations and a Monopoly-like set of squares around the edges.
  • Cards: “Ready Reckoner reference” cards, “Hay Stack” cards, “Tucker Bag” cards, “Stud Ram” cards, “Stock Sale” cards, “Worm Control Programme” cards, “Fertilized Pasture” cards, “Control of Weeds and Insects” cards, “Irrigated Pasture” cards, and “Improved Pasture” cards.
  • Dice: Two 6-sided dice.
  • Tokens: Six playing pieces and 180 sheep tokens.
  • Play Money: Various denominations marked in £ (initially).

    How To Setup Squatter

    To set up Squatter, each player starts with their own sheep station consisting of five natural pasture paddocks. Players distribute the necessary cards, tokens, and play money. The game board is laid out, and each player chooses a playing piece. Setup time typically takes 5–10 minutes.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Category: Agricultural simulation and strategy.
  • Mechanics: Strategy, counting, probability.
  • Objective: The first player to irrigate all their paddocks and fully stock their sheep station wins.
  • Gameplay:
    – Players travel around the board, encountering challenges such as droughts, floods, bushfires, and variable livestock prices.
    – Players must manage their sheep station as a business, earning money to pay for seasonal expenses and improvements.
    – All players remain in the game until the end.

    Player Experience

    Squatter is designed to entertain adults and children aged 10 and above, though younger children can play with assistance. The game is praised for its ability to engage multiple generations on an equal footing. It provides a fun and educational experience, teaching players about sheep farming, business management, and the challenges faced by Australian farmers. The game’s mix of luck and strategy keeps each game unique and engaging.

    Pros

  • Educational Value: Teaches about sheep farming, the wool industry, and business management.
  • Family-Friendly: Suitable for multiple generations to play together.
  • Dynamic Gameplay: Challenges include random events like droughts and floods, making each game different.
  • Historical and Cultural Significance: Reflects the history and culture of Australian farming.

    Cons

  • Complexity: May be too complex for very young children without assistance.
  • Length: Games can last 1–2 hours.
  • Limited Interaction: Some critics note there is no direct interaction between players.

    Personal Thoughts on Squatter

    Squatter is an excellent choice for those interested in agricultural simulation games or looking to educate their family about Australian farming. It is particularly suited for families who enjoy strategy and educational games. The game’s longevity and continued popularity are testaments to its engaging and informative gameplay. While it may not be the best fit for very young children or those seeking high-player interaction, Squatter remains a beloved and enduring part of Australian board game culture.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl