Global Mogul (2013) Board Game

Global Mogul is a board game released in 2013, designed by Morgan Dontanville and Patricia Raubo. The game falls under the economic and industry/manufacturing category, where players compete to become the most successful global business mogul. The game is best played with 1-4 players and has a runtime of 60-120 minutes. With its worker placement and area majority/influence mechanisms, Global Mogul offers a strategic and competitive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Global Mogul

1 turn marker

1 1st player token

32 market cards

40 company cards

30 private contract cards

20 government contract cards

88 wood cubes (22 x 4 colors)

20 wood double cubes (5 x 4 colors)

60 round wood markers (15 x 4 colors)

72 resource markers (24 x 3 types)

75 money markers (25 x 3 denominations)

8 market research markers (2 x 4 types)

6 used/not used markers

4 Base Game action/production charts

4 Base Game summary/VP charts

4 Standard Game action/production charts

4 Standard Game summary/VP charts

3 venture capital/resource market charts (for 2-, 3-, and 4-player games).

How To Setup Global Mogul

To set up Global Mogul, each player starts with a set of agents (workers), some initial money, and beginning resources. A selection of private contracts, government contracts, and company cards are placed in the middle of the table. Markets are laid out, with half as open markets and the other half as emerging markets. Each player receives their player board and the necessary components to track their actions and resources.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place their agents to take specific actions.

Resource Acquisition: Players obtain resources such as gold, technology, oil, and workers.

Opportunity Management: Manage contracts, companies, and market investments.

Limited Actions: Each player has only five actions per round.

Venture Capital: Access additional capital but at the cost of tying up agents.

Game Objective

The objective is to balance short-term goals (fulfilling contracts for cash) with long-term goals (building corporate infrastructure, controlling markets and regions). Victory points are earned from completed contracts, owning companies, dominating markets, and cash on hand. The player with the most victory points after a set number of rounds wins.

Player Experience

Global Mogul offers a deeply engaging and competitive experience, especially for those interested in economic strategy. The game requires careful planning and resource management, making it feel alive as players scramble to acquire resources and contracts. However, the game’s complexity and dense rulebook can be daunting, requiring players to invest significant time in learning the mechanics.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers multiple paths to victory and requires strategic planning.

Competitive: Encourages competition among players as they vie for resources and contracts.

High Replayability: Different setups and player choices ensure a unique experience each time.

Economic Simulation: Provides a realistic simulation of global finance and market control.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The rulebook is dense, and the game mechanics can be confusing at first.

Graphical Issues: The game’s artwork and design are criticized for being subpar and sometimes confusing.

Component Quality: Some components, like the cards and display sheets, are of lesser quality compared to others.

Personal Thoughts on Global Mogul

Global Mogul is ideal for players who enjoy complex economic games and are willing to invest time in learning the mechanics. It is not a casual game; rather, it is suited for those who appreciate deep strategy and resource management. The game’s complexity and competitive nature make it a great choice for serious board game enthusiasts, but it may not be the best fit for those looking for a light, easy-to-learn game.

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