Afrikan tähti (1951) – Board Game Guys

Afrikan tähti

“Afrikan tähti,” also known as “Den försvunna diamanten” in Swedish and “Afrikas stjärna” in Norwegian, is a Finnish board game designed by Kari Mannerla in 1949 when he was 19 years old. It has remained one of the most sold board games in Finland for 65 years and has been translated into over 16 languages. The game is most popular in the Nordic countries, where it was widely marketed in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark in 1960.

Why is Afrikan tähti Popular?

Afrikan tähti is a race between several players, with a minimum of two players and a maximum of theoretically unlimited players. The board covers the continent of Africa, with famous cities marked as big red circles and routes consisting of small black circles connecting them. Players can start from either Cairo, Egypt, or from Tangiers, Morocco. The game has been made into a video game for the Commodore 64.

Game Components of Afrikan tähti

Board: A map of Africa with famous cities marked as big red circles and routes connecting them.

Tokens: Circular tokens, each corresponding to a city, but not matched with specific cities.

Play Money: Notes in the values of £100, £500, and £1,000.

Dice: Used for determining player movement.

Robbers and Horseshoes: Tokens that add excitement and challenges to the game.

How To Setup Afrikan tähti

To set up the game, players start by placing the board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a starting point, either Cairo, Egypt, or Tangiers, Morocco. The tokens are shuffled and randomly placed on the board. Players receive their starting money and a dice. The game is ready to begin once all components are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Find the African Star (the largest diamond) and bring it safely back to either Cairo or Tangiers.

Movement: Determined by rolling a dice.

Routes: Players can travel by air, sea, or land.

Challenges: Players encounter tokens that can either help (horseshoes) or hinder (robbers) their progress.

Luck-Based: High chance element due to dice rolling and random token placement.

Player Experience

Playing Afrikan tähti is an adventurous journey across Africa, filled with surprises and challenges. The game is simple enough for anyone to understand, even those who don’t speak Finnish, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, it has been criticized for its high reliance on luck rather than skill, which can make the game less engaging for some players.

Pros

Historical Charm: The game retains its original 1951 design, which many find charming.

Educational: Introduces players to various African cities and geography.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages.

Wide Popularity: Translated into 16 languages and sold over 4.5 million copies internationally.

Cons

High Luck Element: The game is heavily dependent on dice rolling and random token placement.

Criticized for Racism: The game’s design and imagery have been criticized for perpetuating colonial stereotypes and racist caricatures.

Personal Thoughts on Afrikan tähti

Afrikan tähti is a game that appeals to those who enjoy a mix of luck and adventure. While it is a classic and has a nostalgic appeal, it is important to acknowledge the criticisms regarding its colonial and racist undertones. The game is best suited for families and casual gamers who value its historical significance and are willing to overlook its shortcomings. However, for players seeking games that require strategy and skill, Afrikan tähti might not be the best fit. Despite the controversy, the game remains a cultural icon in Finland and the Nordic countries, serving as a reminder of the need for sensitivity and inclusivity in game design.

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