Image

randywilburn — 2007-05-05T20:06:32+00:00

The Board

Image

randywilburn — 2007-05-05T20:05:10+00:00

Broadway Marquees

Image

randywilburn — 2007-05-05T19:58:35+00:00

The back of the box

Image

DaveD — 2007-04-13T19:17:24+00:00

Game in progress near the end

Image

fellonmyhead — 2006-12-29T23:36:19+00:00

Image

maki_nori — 2004-05-15T12:48:32+00:00

Image

trnardo — 2003-09-05T13:11:59+00:00

Pre-TSR box cover

Thread: General Comment

BoardGameGeek — 2002-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

There are few games that get a regular outing at Halesowen Boardgamers, but this is one of them. There are quite a few games that one or more of us don't like because of a perceived high % of luck, but oddly nobody ever complains of spending a couple of hours on this one. Why? Because it is a ridiculous amount of fun, particularly 'life on the road'. There are several very different stages to the game, each is challenging and each of them is very easy to understand. The variety this design delivers, the cash-flow crises and the agonising cut-throat ending, render the luck element immaterial to enjoyment. Do NOT miss the opportunity of picking this game up if a copy ever surfaces near you.

Image

2001-08-05T20:38:44+00:00

Image

2001-08-05T20:38:44+00:00

Thread: User Review

BoardGameGeek — 2000-12-08T23:06:30+00:00

Broadway began life as a Monopoly variant played backstage at Broadway plays, naturally enough. The game takes several turns, mostly for the better, from its titular parent, and stands on its own as a family game. Mike Farrell, of M*A*S*H and Providence fame, acquired the rights to the game, and it was marketed under the TSR banner back in the early 80's when TSR was making an attempt at entering the family gaming market.

The game is similar to Monopoly in that players acquire properties as they move around the perimeter of a square board. The difference is that there are only 8 properties, and ownership is divided between the players who have bought 'shares' in the property, or play.

The properties range in value from relatively inexpensive to exhorbitantly pricey. Players must balance ownership of expensive shares with the fact that these shows tend to start up later in the game and may generate relatively little cash despite the deep investment.

When all ten shares of a play are purchased, shown by ill-fitting pegs in player colors, the play goes into the out-of-town' phase. The producer (primary shareholder) takes leave from the normal movement track, and moves the play along a special outer track that invokes various penalties and bonuses as the play proceeds along the track. If a play does not have sufficient cash to pay a penalty, the producer can call for investors to cough up addition monies, which players might not be able to afford or choose not to do. If a play fails to make it around the track, it closes. Successful plays are placed back on the main board where they begin to earn money for each time a player lands on it.

Once all plays have either failed or made it to Broadway, there is a final circuit of the board, as plays make their last bit of cash. The endgame is entered, which is the most cutthroat aspect of the entire process. Along with each share, a player also receives a vote card which can be used as a bribe in making deals or simply saved for the endgame.

Each play in turn must have its producer roll the dice and consult a chart. Usually extra money or votes must be turned in to keep the show open. Sometimes this is impossible to fulfill, or the players decide the risk is simply not worth it and the play closes. The final play to remain open is awarded a million dollars, divided between its stockholders. Whoever has the most cash at game's end is the winner.

Since players have a certain amount of say in which plays remain open, depending on their cash and vote supplies, there is a great deal of strategy right into the final throes of the game. The final payoff is huge, but so is the agony of paying votes and cash to keep a play in the running for the award.

The only downside to Broadway is the game length. It takes a long time to play, usually over 2 hours, and some players may feel that it simply is not worth the investment in time. For those who enjoy a cutthroat game of Monopoly, you would do well to pick up a copy of Broadway and try it instead. Chances are, you will never look back.

Game: Broadway Game, The

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Thread: General Comment

Image

Image

Thread: User Review