Stockmarket (1987) Board Game

Stockmarket is a classic board game that was released in in 1987. Designed for 2-6 players, the game revolves around the exciting world of stock trading and speculation. With a runtime of 90 minutes, Stockmarket is suitable for players aged 12 and above. The game is categorized under economic games, featuring mechanisms such as commodity speculation and stock holding.

Game Components of Stockmarket

Playing Board: A hexagonal board with a central area and radiating unit areas representing different companies.

Share Blocks: Various colored blocks denoting different share values (50,000, 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 shares).

Gold Ingots: Representing gold values (ranging from 500 to 500,000).

Playing Cards: Include share price movement cards, chance cards, and gold value cards.

Share Price Charts: For recording share prices at the end of each round.

Chairman Tokens: Representing chairmanship of companies.

How To Setup Stockmarket

To set up the game, players decide on the number of bargain periods (between 6 to 10). Each player is given 60,000 in gold ingots and a share price chart. The stockbroker shuffles the cards and deals 10 cards face down to each player. The playing surface is prepared with the company representations at the outer edges of the unit areas.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: The goal is to build wealth by speculating on the stock market, with the winner being the player who has the most wealth in terms of shares and gold at the end of the game.

Bargain Periods: Players buy or sell shares or exercise chance cards within each bargain period.

Share Price Movement: Share prices are affected by cards showing rises or falls in share values and gold prices.

Chairmanship: Players can become the chairman of a company by holding 100,000 or more shares, allowing them to discard certain cards.

Chance Cards: These cards provide advantages or disadvantages to the players holding them.

Player Experience

**Stockmarket** offers a dynamic and challenging experience, requiring players to make strategic decisions based on limited information. The game combines elements of speculation, risk management, and market manipulation, making it engaging for players who enjoy economic strategy games. The rules are relatively straightforward, but the gameplay can be complex and unpredictable, which adds to the excitement.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: Each round offers new challenges and opportunities due to the random distribution of cards.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance their share holdings, gold investments, and use of chance cards effectively.

Replay Value: The game allows for multiple bargain periods, and the randomness of the cards ensures different outcomes each time.

Simple to Learn: Despite its complexity, the basic rules are easy to teach and understand.

Cons

Length: The game can be lengthy, especially with more players or longer bargain periods.

Luck Factor: The reliance on card draws can introduce a significant element of luck, which might not appeal to all players.

Outdated Production: Some editions may have less desirable production quality compared to modern standards.

Personal Thoughts on Stockmarket

**Stockmarket** is ideal for players who enjoy economic strategy and are willing to engage in a game that requires careful planning and adaptable strategies. It is particularly suited for experienced gamers who appreciate the intricacies of stock market mechanics and the thrill of market fluctuations. However, due to its complexity and potential length, it may not be the best fit for casual or new gamers.

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