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The Big Idea (2000) Board Game

ByMichail

Brief History and Background Information for The Big Idea

The Big Idea is a party game released in 2000, designed by James Ernest and published by Arclight Games. It is a card game that revolves around players pitching crazy product ideas and investing in them to become the richest player at the end of the game.

Game Components of The Big Idea

  • 110 Idea Cards
  • 42 Company Cards
  • 6 Player Screens
  • 75 Money Tokens
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Setup The Big Idea

  • Each player is given a player screen and a starting amount of money tokens.
  • Shuffle the Idea Cards and deal a hand of five cards to each player.
  • Shuffle the Company Cards and place them face down in the middle of the table.
  • Decide who will be the first player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In The Big Idea, players take turns pitching product ideas to the group and then investing in those ideas. Each player can choose to invest in their own idea or in someone else’s idea. The objective is to make the most money by the end of the game through successful investments in product ideas.

Player Experience

Pros:

  • Creative and fun gameplay that encourages players to think outside the box.
  • Player interaction and negotiation make the game engaging and unpredictable.
  • Easy to learn rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

Cons:

  • Luck plays a significant role in the game, which may frustrate some players.
  • Limited replayability as players may start to see the same ideas being pitched.

Personal Thoughts on The Big Idea

The Big Idea is a unique and entertaining party game that offers a creative twist on the stock holding genre. The game’s components are of good quality, and the artwork by Damon S. Brown adds to the overall charm of the game. While the game may not appeal to everyone due to its reliance on luck, it is definitely worth a try for those who enjoy light-hearted and interactive gameplay.

In terms of pricing and availability, The Big Idea can be found both new and used online at reasonable prices. For those looking for alternatives or similar games, games like Snake Oil and Funemployed offer a similar experience with a focus on pitching ideas. Overall, The Big Idea is a game that is worth your time, especially for those who enjoy creative and social party games.

Game Components of The Big Idea

  • Cards: The game includes adjective and noun cards, which players combine to create inventive company names and products.
    – Original 2000 version: 54 black and white cards.
    – 2011 edition: High-quality, full-color illustrated cards.

  • Dice: A 6-sided die is used to determine the success of investments in the original version.
  • Money and Chips: Used for investments and tracking money in the original version.
  • Reward Cards: Used in the 2011 edition for voting on the best ideas.

    How To Setup The Big Idea

    To set up the game, players draw a set of adjective and noun cards. In the original version, each player starts with a hand of cards and prepares to create companies by combining these cards. In the 2011 edition, players draw three green (description) cards and three blue (item) cards, and they can discard and redraw if they are not satisfied with their hand.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Original Version

  • Company Creation: Players combine adjective and noun cards to form company names.
  • Investments: Players secretly invest in companies and publicly buy shares.
  • IPO Roll: A die is rolled to determine which companies go public, based on the number of shares issued.
  • Payout: Rewards are calculated based on the number of shares and cards used in the company times the die roll.
  • Objective: The player who collects the most money wins.

    2011 Edition

  • Pitching Ideas: Players create inventions using adjective and noun cards and pitch them to the group.
  • Voting: Players secretly vote on the best ideas using reward cards.
  • Objective: The player who collects the most rewards wins the round. The game continues until a player has the fewest defeat points (busts as an inventor).

    Player Experience

    The Big Idea is designed for creative and outgoing players who enjoy humor and improvisation. The game encourages players to come up with ridiculous and entertaining product ideas, similar to those seen on shows like “Shark Tank.” Players must be able to pitch their ideas persuasively to gain votes. The game is highly social and can be very funny, making it a great addition to game nights with groups that enjoy creative storytelling and humor.

    Pros

  • Encourages Creativity: Players must think creatively to come up with innovative and often hilarious product ideas.
  • Social Interaction: The game promotes interaction and engagement among players through pitching and voting.
  • Light-Hearted Fun: The game is easy to learn and provides a lot of entertainment value.
  • High-Quality Components (2011 Edition): The updated version features high-quality, full-color illustrated cards.

    Cons

  • Subjective Voting: Voting can be highly subjective and may not always reflect the best idea.
  • Dependence on Group Dynamics: The game’s success heavily depends on the creativity and humor of the players involved.
  • Original Version’s Simplicity: Some players might find the original version too simplistic compared to the more polished 2011 edition.

    Personal Thoughts on The Big Idea

    The Big Idea is ideal for groups of friends or family who enjoy creative storytelling, humor, and light-hearted competition. It’s not the best fit for quiet or shy players, as it requires active participation and creative pitching. However, it can be a great way to break out of one’s shell and have a fun, entertaining game night. If you enjoy games that combine strategy with social interaction and humor, The Big Idea is definitely worth considering.

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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

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