Schoko & Co. (1987) Board Game

Schoko & Co. is a classic board game released in 1987 by Schmidt Spiele. Designed by Yves Hirschfeld and Gilles Monnet, this game is all about economic strategy and commodity speculation. Players take on the roles of chocolate factory owners, competing to buy cocoa beans, produce chocolate, and sell their products for profit. The game has a strong auction/bidding mechanic and requires strategic decision-making to succeed.

Game Components of Schoko & Co.

Game board

Player tokens

Raw ingredient cards

Chocolate sweets production cards

Money

Adverse fortune cards (e.g., squirrels eating nuts)

Variant cards (optional)

How To Setup Schoko & Co.

To set up the game, players decide on the number of four-month cycles the game will last. Each player chooses a token and starts with a set amount of money. The game board is laid out, and the raw ingredient and chocolate sweets production cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-4

Mechanics: Auction/Bidding, Commodity Speculation

Game Category: Economic, Trading

Objective: Each player must buy raw ingredients, produce chocolate sweets, and sell them to accumulate the most money by the end of the game.

Game Phases: Each turn consists of seven phases, each representing a month in the chocolate factory.

Game Duration: The game lasts a multiple of four months, decided by the players at the start.

Player Experience

**Schoko & Co.** offers a dynamic and engaging experience, where players navigate the challenges of running a chocolate factory. The game is praised for its simplicity and clear rules, making it easy to learn but challenging to master. Players must strategically manage resources, deal with random events like squirrels eating nuts, and compete to maximize their profits.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple and clear rules.

High Replayability: Random events and resource management ensure each game is different.

Economic Strategy: Engaging economic and trading gameplay.

Awards and Recognition: Nominated for the 1988 Spiel des Jahres and winner of the 1986 Concours International de Créateurs de Jeux de Société.

Cons

Luck Factor: Random adverse fortune cards can significantly impact gameplay.

Length: The game can be lengthy, depending on the number of cycles chosen.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which might limit its appeal for larger groups.

Personal Thoughts on Schoko & Co.

**Schoko & Co.** is ideal for fans of economic and trading games who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. It is suitable for players aged 13 and up, offering a fun and challenging experience that balances luck and strategy. Despite its age, the game remains a classic in the board game community, making it a great addition to any collection of economic and business-themed games.

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