Timeline: General Interest (2012) Board Game

Timeline: General Interest is a card game designed by Frédéric Henry and published by Asmodee in in 2012. It falls under the categories of Card Game, Educational, Party Game, and Trivia. The game challenges players to correctly place historical events on a timeline, testing their knowledge of when notable events occurred in history.

Game Components of Timeline: General Interest

110 cards, each depicting a historical event on both sides, with the year of the event on only one side.

The cards cover themes such as Discoveries, Arts, Events, Music, Inventions, Monuments, and Sports.

How To Setup Timeline: General Interest

To set up the game, one card is randomly selected from the draw pile and placed in the middle of the table, date-side up, serving as the starting point of the chronological timeline. Each player is then dealt a handful of cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Count: 2-8 players.

Playing Time: Approximately 15 minutes.

Age Range: 8 and above.

Objective: The first player to correctly place all their cards in the timeline wins.

Gameplay:
– Players take turns placing a card from their hand into the timeline.
– After placing a card, the player reveals the date on it.
– If the card is placed correctly in chronological order, it stays in place; otherwise, it is removed from play, and the player draws another card.
– If multiple players run out of cards in the same round, a bonus round is played to determine the winner.

Player Experience

Playing **Timeline: General Interest** is a deceptively simple yet engaging experience. The game requires a mix of historical knowledge and strategic thinking. Players must decide when to play cards they are certain about and when to take risks with less familiar events. The dynamic nature of the timeline, which changes with each card played, adds a layer of complexity and makes the game challenging and entertaining.

Pros

Educational Value: The game is an excellent way to learn about historical events in a fun and interactive manner.

Strategy: Despite its simple premise, the game involves strategic decision-making about when to play different cards.

Combination with Other Sets: The game can be combined with other titles in the Timeline series, offering a wide range of historical themes.

Quick Gameplay: Games are short, lasting about 15 minutes, making it suitable for players with varying attention spans.

Cons

Dependence on Knowledge: The enjoyment of the game can be highly dependent on the players’ equal knowledge of history, which may lead to uneven gameplay.

Luck of the Draw: The cards drawn can significantly favor one player, especially if they receive obvious or easy-to-place events.

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players might find the game repetitive, especially if they play it frequently.

Personal Thoughts on Timeline: General Interest

**Timeline: General Interest** is an excellent addition to any board game collection, particularly for those who enjoy historical trivia and are looking for a quick, engaging game. It is ideal for families, educational settings, or casual game nights where participants have a relatively equal knowledge base. However, it may not be the best fit for groups with significantly varying levels of historical knowledge or those seeking highly complex gameplay mechanics.

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