Board game "I'm the Boss!" by Sid Sackson, published by Face 2 Face Games, depicting cartoon-style characters engaging in a business meeting with a cityscape background. The cover art shows a mix of men and women at a conference table with money and documents, advertising the game as an exciting deal-making, negotiation, and cutthroat bargaining game.
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I’m the Boss! (1994)

ByMichail

“I’m the Boss!” Board Game

“I’m the Boss!” is a board game designed by American game designer Sid Sackson. It is a negotiation game where a group of players compete and cooperate to put together profitable business deals, with the goal of making the most money. The game is currently published by Gryphon Games and was previously published as Kohle, Kies & Knete.

Game Components of I’m the Boss!

  • Game Board: A circular track with sixteen spaces, each depicting share volume and investors of a potential deal.
  • Deal Cards: Fifteen tiles showing the share prices of deals, numbered 1 to 15.
  • Play Money: A supply of light card stock play money.
  • Marker: A dollar sign shaped marker.
  • Die: Used for rolling to move the marker.
  • Investor Cards: Six cards representing different investors.
  • Influence Cards: A custom deck of 98 cards with various effects such as taking ownership of an investor, cancelling card plays, or resetting the deal.

    How To Setup I’m the Boss!

    To set up the game, players are randomly issued investor cards, with any remainder placed face up near the board. The player with the first investor alphabetically goes first, and the player to their right chooses the starting board space for the dollar marker. Each player is dealt five influence cards, and the deal tiles are sorted and placed on the board. The game is ready to begin once these steps are completed.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Players: 3-6
  • Playing Time: 60 minutes +
  • Age Range: 12+
  • Mechanics: Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Negotiation, Roll / Spin and Move, Set Collection, Take That
  • Objective: Players aim to make the most money by negotiating and completing profitable business deals.
  • Gameplay:
    – On each turn, the player can either try to make a deal on the current board space or roll the die to move the marker.
    – Deals require specific configurations of investors, and players must negotiate the distribution of the deal’s proceeds.
    – Influence cards can be played to alter the deal, such as taking over the role of the boss or cancelling other card effects.

    Player Experience

    **I’m the Boss** offers a dynamic and engaging experience, blending cooperation and competition. Players must navigate the complexities of deal-making, leveraging their influence cards to secure favorable outcomes. The game is known for its light yet dramatic negotiations, allowing players to adopt various strategies, from being honorable and fair to being cunning and manipulative. The influence cards add a layer of unpredictability, making each deal unique and challenging.

    Pros

  • Engaging Negotiations: The game fosters interactive and often dramatic negotiations among players.
  • Strategic Depth: Influence cards offer multiple ways to influence deals, adding strategy to the game.
  • Variable Outcomes: Each game can be different due to the random distribution of cards and the choices made by players.
  • Structured Yet Flexible: The game has a clear structure but allows for a wide range of player behaviors and strategies.

    Cons

  • Learning Curve: new players may need time to understand the full impact of the influence cards and deal mechanics.
  • Length: Some players may find the game too long, especially if many deals are negotiated.
  • Luck Factor: The roll of the die and the draw of cards can introduce an element of luck that may not appeal to all players.

    Personal Thoughts on I’m the Boss!

    **I’m the Boss** is ideal for those who enjoy negotiation games and are looking for a light, yet engaging experience. It suits players who appreciate the art of deal-making and the strategic use of influence cards to outmaneuver their opponents. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a highly complex or luck-free game, it offers a unique blend of strategy and social interaction that can be very rewarding. If you enjoy games like *Intrigue* and are a fan of Sid Sackson’s designs, **I’m the Boss** is definitely worth a try.

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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