This game looks to be really really cool. We have a dearth of interesting scifi games; and this seems to be fun, playable and well-themed.

Just one concern - the game looks to be 90 cards in size and the proposed cost is $35. Maybe its just me, but this does seem a little overpriced - should it not be more like $25?

There are 90 DIFFERENT cards, but I'm pretty sure there are a lot more actual cards than that, as there are duplicates. Tom will be along presently to correct me if I am mistaken.

The base game has ~150 cards. For the game, there are 90 different cards (as Dan points out), something like 115-120 cards. Then each player gets their 7 'action' cards (these aren't shuffled, but are held and selected to show which role you've got). There are 4 more cards for the alternate two player game (I think).

A deck of 50 custom cards is about $10 retail, so three decks gets you to $30, then you need a bit for the box.

But the real value question is "Will you play it?" I can't answer that, but I'm going to play it to death ... so much that I'm debating between card protectors or just getting a spare set.

Wait till you see the cards. Rio Grande commissioned custom art for each card. Even if you decide you aren't wowed by it, you'll have to admit that a great deal of effort went into it.

There are 150 cards, two reference sheets, and VP chips in the base game. The box is on the big side, as we want it large enough to also hold the two expansions (which have more than just more cards in them).

Value for money is not only the question it is the answer here.

Race for the Galzxy is a well tested, fun and quick playing game with or without the custom art. For the last two years at the Gathering there were all night sessions of this pretty much every night with proto type cards with no art! People were playing it over and over and over . . . including me! Its a very nice combination of quick and easy to play but challenging and interesting at the same time.

If you are doubtful, wait to play it first and then decide. For me, if its a game I play a lot then the money is a small issue. As many have stated here on the BGG, compare a night gaming with a night out doing something else and I think you will agree, the price of a game is cheap!

For my money this game is a no brainer - but then I've played it and know that I like what I am getting. If its a concern for you, by all means try before you buy!

I think the question on value for money is to do with what you value. I have over 500 games and I certainly haven't had value out of all of them. Where I have had good value it's been for all sorts of reasons:-

- Played a lot so cost per session is small.
- Had to translate rules (even when in English!)and work out how to play.
- Produced player aids or redesigned components
- Gained GeekGold and lots of BGG interaction for rules, player aids etc.
- Game is hot on BGG so good to be involved in discussions.
- Wonderful components so just nice to have.
- Interesting theme so spent time researching and reading up.
- Game offers itself to variants so again time working out and discussing on BGG.
- Game has had educational value for family members
- Bits were useful in other games
- Game worked as a gateway game for friend or family member.
- Rare or part of a set etc.(the collector motive)

Any of these or a combination can mean that I feel I've had value for money as I've spent interesting leisure time on the game or some aspect of it.

As for RftG, I think it'll justify itself on my first point above. (And it's by Tom Lehmann! )

Chris

Some people simply don't want to be overcharged, they have an idea of what a game "should" cost, based on its components, and they don't want to pay more than that even if they would get value from it. I think there is a certain logic to this as otherwise it may be too easy for the vendor to capture what should be the consumer surplus.

From what I understand, the price of RFTG seems reasonable for the components.

I agree none of us wants to be overcharged. I would just go a bit further than just valuing a game "based on it's components".

Is it? Yes, I am judging the book by its cover. Perhaps I have in mind a similar game like San Juan, which goes for about $15 (online). As I said - the theme and nature of the game really appeal (as a sci-fi fan there are far too few good games) and I am sure I will get good replay value from it - I just have to swallow quite hard to justify the upfront cost to myself.

Well, it would help to compare apples to apples. The retail price for San Juan is $25; Race is $35. Applying a similar percentage discount to Race as one that drives San Juan to $15, Race would sell online for $21.

San Juan also has 40 fewer cards.

-MMM