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Hollywood (2013) Board Game

ByMichail

Hollywood is a card game that was first released in in 2013. Designed by Sergey Dulin, Ilya Komarov, and Uildrim, the game is set in the glamorous world of the movie industry. Players take on the roles of producers trying to make successful movies by acquiring the best scripts, hiring the right actors, and managing their budgets effectively. With a mix of auction/bidding, open drafting, and set collection mechanics, Hollywood offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience for 2 to 6 players.

Game Components of Hollywood

  • Game board** representing the Hollywood film industry
  • Player boards** for each movie studio
  • Movie tiles** with various attributes (stars, special effects, sound work, etc.)
  • Contract tokens** used for bidding
  • Actor and guest star tiles** influencing party selections
  • Director tiles** with different star ratings
  • Scenario cards** for different movie genres
  • Award tokens** for scoring

    How To Setup Hollywood

    To set up the game, each player selects a player board and receives a set of contract tokens. The game board is placed in the middle, and the movie tiles, director tiles, and actor tiles are shuffled and placed face up within their respective areas. Each player starts with a few contract tokens and an initial movie scenario.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Auction Mechanics: Players bid on movie components (directors, actors, special effects, etc.) using contract tokens. Each auction involves multiple tiles, creating bidding wars.
  • Party Mechanics: Players attend parties where they can pick free tiles based on their “star power” (number of actors and guest stars).
  • Movie Completion: Players complete movies by collecting necessary tiles and calculating scores based on stars and awards.
  • Game Objective: The goal is to have the most successful year by earning the most awards, completing high-scoring movies, and managing contracts efficiently.

    Player Experience

    Playing “Hollywood” feels like navigating the real Hollywood scene, complete with auctions, parties, and the hustle to make the best movie. The game is engaging due to its dynamic bidding system and the unpredictability of party outcomes. Players must balance their spending on contracts with the need to complete movies efficiently.

    Pros

  • Engaging Auctions: Bidding for multiple tiles at once adds tension and excitement.
  • Strategic Depth: Managing contracts and choosing the right tiles requires strategic thinking.
  • Thematic Immersion: The game’s theme is well-integrated, making players feel like real movie producers.
  • Parties Add Randomness: The party mechanism introduces controlled randomness, keeping the game fresh.

    Cons

  • Contract Management: Constantly passing contracts between players can be complex to track.
  • Spoof Names: The use of spoof names for movies and actors might annoy some players, though others find it entertaining.
  • Learning Curve: The game has a moderate learning curve due to its unique mechanics.

    Personal Thoughts on Hollywood

    “Hollywood” is ideal for fans of economic and auction games who enjoy strategic planning and thematic immersion. It’s a great fit for groups looking for a game that combines social interaction with deep gameplay mechanics. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a simple, quick-play game due to its complexity and length.

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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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