Smartphone Inc. (2018) Board Game

Smartphone Inc. is a board game that was released in 2018 by Cosmodrome Games. Designed by Ivan Lashin and featuring artwork by Viktor Miller Gausa, this game falls under the categories of Economic and Industry/Manufacturing. With a runtime of 60-90 minutes, Smartphone Inc. is suitable for players aged 12 and above, and can accommodate 1-5 players.

Game Components of Smartphone Inc.

Two-Layer Game Board: A dual-layered map of the world displaying regions for market operations.

5 Player Screens: For players to plan their moves discreetly.

7 Retailer Tiles: Additional market locations.

Point Tracker: To keep score.

6 Patent Tiles: Representing technologies with special powers.

6 Technology Tiles: Each with two different powers.

32 Development Tiles: Expand players’ plan possibilities.

20 Goods Tiles: Representing smartphones.

10 Player Boards: Individual boards for each player.

5 Personal Player Trays: For organizing player components.

60 Progress Markers**, **90 Office Markers**, **100 Goods Markers: For tracking progress, offices, and goods.

Round Marker**, **Phase Marker: To track the game’s progression.

Steve Marker**, **Steve Player Board: For solo gameplay.

Game Rules**, **Solo-Game Rules: Detailed instructions for gameplay.

How To Setup Smartphone Inc.

To set up the game, players start by placing the two-layer game board in the center, which displays the world map with various regions. Each player chooses a player board and places their personal player tray beside it. The game components such as development tiles, technology tiles, and goods markers are distributed according to the game rules. Players also receive their initial office markers and place them on the board based on their starting locations. The round and phase markers are set to the beginning of the first round, and each player receives two plan cards to start planning their moves.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Planning Phase: Players simultaneously plan their moves by patching plan cards and development tiles.

Pricing Phase: Players set their smartphone prices based on their planned actions.

Production Phase: Players produce smartphones based on their planned production.

Development Phase: Players take development tiles to expand their plan possibilities.

Research Phase: Players use research points to discover new technologies.

Expansion Phase: Players open offices in new regions using expansion points.

Sale Phase: Players sell their produced smartphones in regions where they have offices.

Profit Phase: Players earn income from sold smartphones and control of the accessory market.

Objective: The goal is to become the richest player by earning the most money over five rounds.

Player Experience

Smartphone Inc. offers a unique blend of strategic planning and competitive market dynamics. Players must balance pricing, production, research, and expansion to outmaneuver their competitors. The game’s simultaneous action selection mechanism adds a layer of unpredictability, as players need to anticipate their opponents’ moves to succeed. The game is engaging and challenging, particularly with more players, as the interaction between players increases and the importance of turn order becomes more critical.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Combines strategic planning with competitive market dynamics.

Unique Mechanics: Simultaneous action selection and layering mechanisms add complexity and excitement.

Beautiful Components: High-quality visuals and well-designed components enhance the gaming experience.

Variable Setup: Ensures each game is different due to the variable setup and player interactions.

Cons

Player Scaling Issues: The game can be less balanced with fewer players.

Complexity: While accessible, the game’s multiple phases and mechanisms can be overwhelming for new players.

Length: While the game is generally 60-90 minutes, setup and initial learning can add to the overall time commitment.

Personal Thoughts on Smartphone Inc.

Smartphone Inc. is ideal for fans of economic and strategy games who appreciate a mix of planning and competitive elements. It’s a great fit for those who enjoy Eurogames and are looking for a game that challenges them to balance multiple aspects of a business. While it may not be perfect for everyone, especially those who prefer simpler games, it offers a rich and engaging experience for players willing to dive into its depths. The game’s unique mechanics and beautiful components make it a standout in the economic game genre, although it may require some patience to master, especially for those new to complex strategy games.

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