Power Struggle (2009)

Description from BoardgameNews.com:

Machtspiele (Power $truggle) is derived from "Die Firma", which won a special prize in the 2009 Hippodice game design competition for best full-length game. In this game, players compete in business to be the first to acquire four out of six possible victory points, with each VP having its own target, such as at least 7 points on the influence track or at least 8 points on the corruption track or beating your archenemy. Yes, in Power $truggle as in all large businesses, you have someone who you can't stand, someone who stands against everything you try to do, someone who you want to beat just for the personal satisfaction. That person doesn't know you're his archenemy, mind you, but something tells me it will become apaprent during the game.

The game lasts a number of rounds, with each round consisting of a directors' meeting, followed by 4-7 turns. At the directors' meeting, you determine a new company chairman and the division heads within the business. The player who's the head of communications then secretly looks at the event cards and determines how many turns will be in the current round. After each event cards is revealed, players then take one action such as hiring and relocating employees, founding a department, resigning as a department head, using an advantage card, and bribing players. The actions give you points, power within the company, money, or other advantages. In addition to bribing getting you what you want, it also moves you up the corruption track. Even if your offer is rejected, you will gain prestige for being under-handed, sneaky and manipulative. You're going to go far, baby!

Says eggertspiele's Wolf Wittenstein, "As far as I am concerned this is one of the best games for a party of three players that I have encountered in the last decade. The game usually holds the tension up to the very last minute. It takes around 90 to 120 minutes to gain 4 victory points (the mayorality in four different departments). Everybody draws a secret archenemy which he has to beat. The fourth and fifth player just add a little time and fun, too."

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