The Age of Steam Begins Anew at Mayfair Games!

Martin Wallace and Mayfair Games have joined together to create a new edition of Warfrog's acclaimed Age of Steam game! Martin has been developing a new set of rules for this instant classic, to streamline play and simplify the learning process. But fans of the original Age of Steam need not worry: all the new components will be fully compatible with the earlier version. Mayfair's new edition will include beautiful new artwork and the top-quality components you have come to expect.

Though we can't yet reveal all the details of the new edition, here are a few glimpses at what is to come:
• Simplified banking rules allow players to take loans whenever they need them.
• The income reduction system has been banished, along with bidding for turn order.
• The track-building costs have been simplified, and a new city growth system has been added.

Martin's efforts will create a new Age of Steam experience that is just as challenging as the original game, but will be more welcoming to new players. It will play faster and have less between-turn downtime, while still bringing all the excitement of building a railroad empire right to your table!

Not since the Union Pacific met the Central Pacific at Promontory Summit has there been a more natural match for train game enthusiasts as Mayfair Games and Martin Wallace's Age of Steam!

-Nick
Mayfair Games, Inc.

Cool. Looking forward to see it.

Hmm, I'm not sure what to think about this.

Which part, Chad? The "we've tweaked the rules to make it easier for those who want it that way" or the "but you can still use the old rules if you desire"?

Or, I suppose, other?

banished?!

Wow, what did the income reduction do to deserve that?

Seriously, bidding for turn order and income reduction both seem like elements I'd want to KEEP. I'm cautiously interested in the changes.

The whole "take out loans whenever you need them" and "no bidding for turn order" seems like it would take a lot out of the game.

Of course, if it came with two rule books, one with the original and one with the revised rules, I guess that would be cool.

I'm just glad I got my Warfrog/Winsome edition when I did. The changes sound like they remove a lot of what I like about the game as it is.

He said you can still play this version using the old rules and that those rules will be included.

Right, I guess I assumed both rulesets would be made available. Hopefully, that's the case. I personally don't feel the game needs any rules tweaks, either, but an alternative ruleset that still works may make it more accessible for others.

No kidding. These changes sound like they remove much of what makes the game challenging and fun. The auction and the tense decision making on getting more cash makes the game, take that away, and you remove the best part.

I am not too stoked about the art changes, either. The sparse artwork of the Warfrog game has grown on me.

Not in the post at the top of this thread, he doesn't. Did you misread the post, or has he posted different info elsewhere?

It seems very possible that with the demise of Eagle Games, Mayfair has seen an opportunity to capitalize on the impending disappearance of Railroad Tycoon. Making cosmetic changes, taking out the income reduction and making other rules simplifications may yield a game more similar to Railroad Tycoon that may appeal to a larger section of potential customers.

Sounds as if it's leaning toward Railroad Tycoon.

I'm very interested in this, but is they take the nice simple look of AoS and make it as unfunctional as Railroad Tycoon, I'll be disappointed.

This sounds different enough in the rules that it will need it's own entry as a separate game. Otherwise, how would one distinguish the plays, the strategy guide, the discussion, etc.?

Having people take loans when they need them shouldn't be too disruptive, I think. Experienced players usually take out the right amount, and this will prevent new players from easily going bankrupt. However, I'll be interested to see what replaces bidding for turn order, since that seems to be an integral part of the game.

The only one of these that is similar to RRT might be the simplified banking rules... whatever that means.

Perhaps what Mayfair/Wallace are after here is a game that has a broader appeal than AoS. Having played both AoS and RRT numerous times it's no suprise that RRT is requested 9-1 over AoS. It's not that RRT is less difficult to understand or that AoS is too clunky (though if you've played them both I'd definitely describe RRT as easier to get and AoS as clunky), I think it's the standard evolution of a terrific game system being upgraded and primed for wider distribution.

Both AoS and RRT have built-in problems that reduce their appeal. For AoS I'd say it's the unappealling graphics and the unforgiving nature of pending bankruptcy unless you pay very, very close attention to what you're doing. For RRT the biggest drawback has to be the board size and the mystifying SW cities and hugely expensive Western Link.

If Mayfair and Wallace can streamline the play, retain the flavor, resize the total footprint the game has on the table and upgrade the graphic appeal from the Warfrog blandness, they may have a huge hit on their hands.

I'll buy this game in a heartbeat.

The text of the announcement sounds suspiciously open to the possibility that they will not include the original ruleset in the game. Were this to be the case, then I agree that the world doesn't need Railroad Tycoon Redux. If indeed there are two rulesets that come with the game, I would be inclined to be very pleased.

I agree. If they don't end up including the original rules, you may have some AoS loyalists jumping off bridges though.

At worst it will just end up being a Die Macher type thing where sitting down to the table now requires saying, "Yes, I would like to play Die Macher with 2nd edition rules, the flood variant, &c, &c.". Within the groups that already exist, it shouldn't be a big deal. If you already have a regular group of friends who love AoS, then it isn't going to make a bit of difference.

I am somewhat concerned that it is going to cause a mess with all of the expansions, and from the sounds of it, I doubt the original rule book is going to be included (note the wording: Martin Wallace is working with Mayfair...) but it will be easy enough to post the differences in a thread when this edition is released.

Thanks for the insight John, that explains the rule changes and new art design.

And thanks for keeping it clean...don't need Derk stepping in again.

Question: When Winsome reprints, I assume you will still call it Age of Steam? So Mayfair cannot name theirs Age of Steam, correct? This is confusing me.

Ohh, the plot thickens.

I don't know what Mayfair will call it. The NEW Age of Steam?

There are a number of games called 'Civilization', right? But most boardgamers think of the A-H game.

John