Daybreak (2023) Board Game

Daybreak’ is a cooperative board game designed by Matt Leacock and Matteo Menapace. It was released in 2023 by CMYK and features artwork by Mads Berg. The game’s theme revolves around climate change and players work together to manage resources and combat environmental challenges.
## Game Components of Daybreak
– **Player Boards**: Each player controls one of four world powers (USA, China, Europe, or Majority World), each with unique starting cards, emissions profiles, and growth rates.
– **Local Project Cards**: 158 cards with main actions and tags that can be used to improve energy production, reduce emissions, and build resilience.
– **Global Project Cards**: Used for collective decisions and global actions.
– **Crisis Cards**: Representing various climate crises that players must mitigate.
– **Planetary Effects Die**: Used to determine the impact of rising temperatures.
– **Temperature Track**: Measures the rising global temperature.
– **Energy and Emission Tokens**: Track energy demand and emissions.
– **Resilience and Nature Markers**: Help mitigate crises and restore natural environments.

## How To Setup Daybreak
To set up Daybreak, players first place the main board in the middle of the table, which includes a map of the world, a thermometer for tracking temperature, and spaces for Global Projects and Crisis cards. Each player chooses a world power and receives their respective starting cards and player board. The Local Project card deck is shuffled, and each player draws five cards. Global Project cards and Crisis cards are also prepared according to the game’s instructions. Players ensure they have the necessary tokens and markers for tracking energy, emissions, and resilience.

## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Global Stage**: Players draw and place Crisis cards and collectively decide on a Global Project to pursue.
– **Local Stage**: Players draw Local Project cards and manage their hand to chain together symbols (tags) to trigger powerful effects such as reducing emissions, generating clean energy, and building resilience.
– **Emissions Stage**: Calculate total emissions produced and subtract the emissions absorbed by natural elements like trees and oceans.
– **Crisis Stage**: Roll the Planetary Effects die and resolve Crisis cards, which introduce negative effects that must be mitigated.
– **Growth Stage**: Check if the goal of Draw Down is achieved; if not, increase energy demand and start the next round.
– **Game Objective**: Reach Draw Down by collectively reducing global emissions to net-zero, or conversely, lose if the global temperature exceeds two degrees above pre-industrial averages or if too many communities are in crisis.

## Player Experience
Playing Daybreak requires constant communication and cooperation among players. Each player manages their own set of cards and resources but must work together to achieve global goals. The game encourages strategic planning and adapts elements from engine-building games like Terraforming Mars and Everdell. The learning curve can be steep, especially for new players, but the game is designed to be collaborative, allowing players to learn and help each other as they go. Winning the game requires a balance between individual strategy and collective effort.

### Pros
– **Cooperative Gameplay**: Encourages teamwork and communication.
– **Engine-Building Mechanics**: Allows for strategic card management and powerful combinations.
– **Educational Value**: Includes QR codes that teach about real-world climate projects.
– **Variable Difficulty**: Can be adjusted to suit different skill levels.
– **High Replayability**: Unique card draws and strategies each game.

### Cons
– **Punishing Crisis Cards**: Can make the game very challenging and dispiriting.
– **Steep Learning Curve**: New players may find the game overwhelming initially.
– **Limited Direct Discussion Opportunities**: Not as cooperative in some aspects as expected.

## Personal Thoughts on Daybreak
Daybreak is ideal for groups who enjoy cooperative games and are passionate about environmental themes. It combines complex strategy with a hopeful vision of combating climate change. The game is suited for experienced board game players due to its intricate mechanics, but it also provides enough complexity and depth to keep seasoned players engaged. Despite the grim picture of climate crises, the game maintains a hopeful and motivating atmosphere, encouraging players to work together towards a common goal.

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