Workshop of the World (2010) Board Game

Workshop of the World is a board game released in 2010 by designer Oscar Eaton. It is a strategy game that focuses on economic and industrial development in the 19th century. Players take on the role of entrepreneurs building factories, trading goods, and connecting cities with railways. The game is set in the historical context of the Industrial Revolution, where players compete to become the most successful industrialist in the world.

Game Components of Workshop of the World

Game board featuring a map of Britain

Player tokens and pieces

Resource cards (coal, iron, cotton)

Canal tiles

Industry tiles

Player boards

Money and scoring tokens

How To Setup Workshop of the World

To set up the game, players first lay out the game board, which depicts a map of Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Each player chooses a set of tokens and places them on their respective starting locations on the board. The resource cards, canal tiles, and industry tiles are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player receives a starting amount of money and resources. The game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the board is fully set up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Resource Management: Players manage resources like coal, iron, and cotton to build canals and industries.

Area Control: Players compete to control key areas on the board to maximize their scoring opportunities.

Route Building: Players build canals to connect industries and resources.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most points by building canals, connecting industries, and efficiently managing resources.

Player Experience

In **Workshop of the World**, players immerse themselves in the Industrial Revolution, taking on the roles of industrialists building canals and expanding industries across Britain. The game requires strategic planning, resource management, and a bit of luck. Players must balance their short-term needs with long-term goals, making each game session challenging and engaging.

Pros

Historical Theme: Offers a unique and educational experience about the Industrial Revolution.

Deep Strategy: Combines resource management, area control, and route building for a rich gameplay experience.

Replayability: High replayability due to the random placement of tiles and resources.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the multiple mechanics and strategies involved.

Limited Player Count: Best with 2-4 players; may not be as engaging with fewer players.

Limited Availability: Initially produced in a limited edition of 1,000 copies, which might make it hard to find.

Personal Thoughts on Workshop of the World

**Workshop of the World** is ideal for fans of economic and historical board games, particularly those who enjoy games like **Ticket to Ride** or **Brass**. It offers a detailed and strategic gameplay experience that is both educational and engaging. However, due to its complexity and limited availability, it may not be the best choice for casual or new board game enthusiasts.

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