Chinatown (1999) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Chinatown is a board game released in 1999 by designer Karsten Hartwig and published by alea. It is a city-building and economic game that focuses on negotiation and set collection mechanics. The game is designed for 3-5 players aged 12 and up, with a runtime of around 60 minutes. The game has received critical acclaim for its strategic depth and replayability.

Game Components of Chinatown

Building lots represented by numbered squares on the board

Shop tiles of various business types (e.g., Restaurant, Laundry, Tropical Fish)

Ownership markers

Money cards

A plastic year/round marker

Thick cardboard for shop tiles

Plastic round markers for ownership tokens

Thin but stiff cardstock for money and building plot cards.

How To Setup Chinatown

To set up Chinatown, players start by shuffling a deck of building cards and dealing out a number of cards to each player based on the round and player count. Each player also receives a random number of shop tiles. The board is set with numbered building lots, and a round marker is placed to track the six rounds of the game, representing the years 1965 to 1970. Players begin with an initial capital of $50,000 and take turns selecting building lots and placing ownership markers on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: Each round includes dealing and drawing building lots and shop tiles, a trade phase where players negotiate and make deals, and an income phase where players earn money based on the size of their businesses.

Trade Phase: Anything goes during this phase; players can trade unplaced shop tiles, building lots, and money. Trades are crucial for expanding businesses and earning more money.

Income Phase: Players earn money for their businesses based on the size of contiguous arrangements of the same shop tiles.

Objective: The goal is to acquire the most money by the end of the sixth round through strategic trading and placement of shop tiles.

Player Experience

Chinatown is a game that thrives on negotiation and strategic trading. Players are constantly involved in deal-making, trying to expand their businesses and earn the most money. The game encourages creative and often complex trades, with multiple deals happening simultaneously. This dynamic creates a highly interactive and social experience, where players must navigate the ever-changing board state and other players’ intentions.

Pros

Pure Negotiation: The game is a pure example of a negotiation game, stripping away extraneous mechanics and focusing on trading.

Social Interaction: It fosters intense social interaction and strategic thinking.

Simple to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it easy for new players to jump in.

High Replayability: Each game offers unique opportunities and challenges due to the random distribution of lots and tiles.

Cons

Visually Challenging: The game has poor visual accessibility due to small tiles and tokens, making it difficult for visually impaired players.

Theme Issues: The game’s theme and artwork may be seen as culturally insensitive and stereotypical.

Intense Competition: The game can be draining and intense, with no room for players to drop out without significantly affecting the game state.

No Undoing Mistakes: Players cannot undo their mistakes, which can be frustrating as other players can exploit these errors.

Personal Thoughts on Chinatown

Chinatown is ideal for players who enjoy negotiation and trading games. It is not for those who prefer complex game mechanics or are sensitive to potentially offensive themes. The game’s simplicity in rules but complexity in interactions makes it a gem for those who love the art of deal-making and strategic trading. However, it may not appeal to everyone due to its intense competitive nature and the lack of mechanisms to correct mistakes.

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