Acquire (1962)

This Sid Sackson classic has taken many different forms over the years depending on the publisher. Each player strategically invests in businesses, trying to retain a majority of stock. As the businesses grow with tile placements, they also start merging, giving the majority stockholders of the acquired business sizable bonuses, which can then be used to reinvest into other chains. All of the investors in the acquired company can then cash in their stocks for current value or trade them 2-for-1 for shares of the newer, larger business. The game is a race to acquire the greatest wealth.

Some versions of the 3M bookshelf edition included rules for a 2-player variant.

The original version is part of the 3M Bookshelf Series.

Awards

• 1993 Essener Feder Winner.
• 1979 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation.
• Games Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee.

Magazine References:

Campaign Article Index:

• Number 80, July-August 1977
  • Acquire - "Primary in Continental" (Strategy), Vance von Borries

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.3
  • Acquire – “Acquiring the Knack-Improving your play of a classic” (Strategy) by Richard Berthold and Lawrence Waldman
• The GENERAL Vol.28,No.4
  • Acquire – “ACQUIZ- A test of your expertise in Acquire ” (Discussion) Michael Anchors
• The GENERAL Vol.29,No.2
  • Acquire – “MIT SGS Rule modifications” (Variant Discussion) Bernie Norton
  • Acquire – “Spinoff- A new spin on an old Chestnut” (Variant Discussion) Bernie Norton

Microbadges

Online Play

• http://www.gametableonline.com (Java)
• http://gamesbyemail.com (English, turn-based)
• Net Acquire (VB, English, realtime)