Silverton (1991) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Silverton is a board game released in 1991, designed by Ted Rose and published by Mayfair Games. The game is set in the American West during the era of train transportation and economic development. Players take on the roles of prospectors and miners, competing to build the most successful mining operation in the town of Silverton.

Game Components of Silverton

Game board featuring the historic mining areas

Train units for railroading

Surveyor tokens for building new track

Prospector tokens for assigning mining claims

Mining claim cards for coal, lumber, and other resources

Commodity market cards

Player tokens and markers

How To Setup Silverton

To set up Silverton, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects their tokens and places them on the designated starting positions on the board. The train units, surveyor tokens, and prospector tokens are distributed according to the game rules. Players also receive initial resources and claim cards. The commodity market cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Railroading: Players buy and operate trains to transport passengers and freight.

Mining: Players send out surveyors to build new track and assign prospectors to acquire mining claims.

Commodity Market Manipulation: Players purchase and operate mining claims to produce resources like coal, lumber, and precious metals.

Resource Management: Players must manage their resources effectively to meet their goals.

Game Objective:

The objective is to accumulate wealth by building railroad tracks, operating mines, and manipulating the commodity market.

Player Experience

Silverton offers a complex and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance their efforts between expanding their railroad network, managing their mining operations, and navigating the commodity market. The game requires long-term planning and adaptability as players respond to changes in the market and their opponents’ actions.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich blend of different mechanics, making it appealing to fans of complex strategy.

Historical Theme: The setting in historic mining areas adds a unique thematic layer.

Player Interaction: The commodity market and railroading aspects introduce significant player interaction.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game’s multiple mechanics and complex rules can make it challenging for new players to learn.

Long Playtime: Games can be lengthy, requiring several hours to complete.

Limited Accessibility: The game’s complexity and length may make it less accessible to casual gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Silverton

Silverton is best suited for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategic games with multiple layers of depth. It is ideal for players who appreciate the combination of resource management, market manipulation, and historical themes. However, due to its complexity and long playtime, it may not be the best fit for new or casual gamers.

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