The American Dream Game (1979) Board Game

The American Dream Game was released in 1979 by Milton Bradley. It is a classic board game that focuses on economic and negotiation elements, allowing players to experience the ups and downs of the American economy.

Game Components of The American Dream Game

Game board

Success book

4 Salary recorders

47 American Dream cards

Various stock cards (e.g., Disney, Exxon, Ford)

Franchise cards (e.g., Holiday Inn, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King)

Specialty pawns (red, blue, green, yellow)

Plastic Stock/Franchise rack

Set of money

3 Standard 6-sided dice

Insurance cards (e.g., Prudential)

Experience cards

Trap cards (e.g., Insurable Accident, Not Insurable Bad Luck)

Stock and franchise chips[5).

How To Setup The American Dream Game

To set up the game, each player selects a pawn and places it on the “Imagination” space. Players separate the cards by type, shuffle them, and place them on the appropriate spaces on the board. Each player receives $50,000 (2-$5,000 and 4-$10,000), one Prudential insurance card, one experience card, two American Dream cards, and a salary recorder. The salary recorder is set to $10,000. Players roll one die to determine who goes first, and play proceeds clockwise.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective

Be the first player to accumulate $1,000,000.

Mechanics

Roll and move: Players roll one, two, or three dice to move around the board.

Stock and franchise management: Players buy and sell stocks and franchises.

Patents and copyrights: Players can claim patents and copyrights for rewards.

Insurance: Players can purchase insurance to mitigate risks.

Experience cards: Players can use experience cards to alter their movement.

Trap cards: Players can encounter various traps that affect their progress.

Player Experience

The game offers a mix of strategy and luck, with players needing to navigate the board strategically while also dealing with random events. The flexibility in rolling dice and using experience cards gives players a sense of control, but the reliance on luck can be frustrating. The game is filled with real-world branding, making it more realistic but also somewhat annoying due to the constant advertising.

Pros

Flexibility: Players can roll one, two, or three dice, offering more strategy than typical roll-and-move games.

Realistic theme: The use of real companies and brands adds a layer of realism.

Multiple paths: Players can open up additional paths on the board, increasing their options and strategic choices.

Cons

High reliance on luck: The game is heavily influenced by dice rolls and card draws.

Branding overload: The constant branding can be annoying.

Inaccurate real-world scenarios: Certain aspects, like stock fights and raises, do not mirror real-world business practices.

Personal Thoughts on The American Dream Game

The American Dream Game is for those who enjoy business-themed games with a mix of strategy and luck. It is particularly suited for players looking for a game that offers more flexibility than Monopoly but may not appeal to those seeking a purely strategic experience. The game’s theme and mechanics make it an interesting, if not perfect, addition to any board game collection.

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