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Automobile (2009) Board Game

ByMichail

Automobile is a board game designed by Martin Wallace and published by Mayfair Games in in 2009. It falls under the economic and industry/manufacturing category, where players take on the role of early 20th-century automobile manufacturers trying to expand their businesses and outcompete their rivals.

Game Components of Automobile

  • Factories producing low-, medium-, and high-valued vehicles
  • Distributors across the country
  • Inefficiency cubes
  • Special action spaces featuring historical figures like Ford, Durant, and Kettering
  • Market demand cards
  • Vehicle models starting from the 1893 Duryea

    How To Setup Automobile

    To set up **Automobile**, players first distribute the factories, ensuring each player has a starting set. Market demand cards are shuffled and distributed, giving each player partial information about the demand for different vehicle types. Distributors are placed across the board, and each player allocates their initial funds. Special action spaces are set up, providing one-turn abilities related to historical business strategies.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Objective:** Manage car factories to maximize earnings by meeting market demand.
  • Mechanics:**
  • Supply and Demand Management:** Players must balance producing vehicles with the current market demand.
  • Factory Upgrades:** Older factories become inefficient over time, encouraging players to invest in newer models.
  • Distributor Management:** Funding distributors and supplying them with vehicles is crucial to avoid bankruptcy.
  • Special Actions:** Using historical figures’ abilities to gain temporary advantages.
  • Price Adjustment:** Dropping prices or improving sales rates at the cost of research.

    Player Experience

    In **Automobile**, players are deeply engaged in strategic decision-making. Each turn, they must predict market demand, manage their factories’ efficiency, and navigate the risks of overproduction. The game demands a balance between short-term gains and long-term strategy, keeping players invested until the very end.

    Pros

  • Historical Depth:** The game is rich in historical context, making it appealing to those interested in the early U.S. auto industry.
  • Strategic Complexity:** Offers a challenging yet rewarding experience with deep strategic mechanics.
  • Replayability:** Different market demands and special actions ensure high replayability.

    Cons

  • Long Playing Time:** The game can take 120-150 minutes, which may deter some players.
  • Complexity:** New players might find the initial setup and rules overwhelming.

    Personal Thoughts on Automobile

    **Automobile** is ideal for players who enjoy economic and strategy games with a strong historical theme. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate complex decision-making and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its length and complexity, it offers a rich and engaging experience for those who enjoy deep strategic gameplay.

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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

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