After dinner, we had my second game - and everyone else's first game - of Imperial. We were still using the basic rules (investor card, random set-up), due to this being a learning experience. As it turned out, France began the game uncontrolled, and I held England and Russia.

Randy had Austria-Hungary, Rich had Germany, and Josh had Italy. These would change during the game!

I'm not going to give many play notes, as there was too much going on during the game for me to remember it all now. I quickly gained control of France, only to have control of it wrested from me by Randy. My Russian control went to Rich; Germany wandered between Randy and Rich for most of the game, and Josh enjoyed himself by taking over England.

I spend several turns not controlling any country at all! However, as I had shares in most - and in all by the end of the game - I got money whenever they took the Investor action. In fact, this game we learnt about why the Investor action can be problematic... when other players will be getting more from the country than you due to a lack of funds!

France taxed, and taxed well early in the game. Unfortunately, it was Randy who got the reward for that, wresting it from my control just before it did its first tax option. Don't they know that I deserved the bonus?

Randy built Austria Hungary up into a true powerhouse, and caused great grief for Italy and Russia. So much did it rise, we all bought lots of shares in it! Then, Rich, Josh and I combined to throw it back down. Heh.

England's mighty navy created the great nation of the world, and I actually got it to an income of $15 million! Randy realised in a hurry how close the game was to ending. It was after that that I no longer controlled any country... and control I got was swiftly wrested away from me. I spent my limited reserves buying up shares in countries that looked to be doing well.

Finally, England ended the game by reaching 25 VPs. How did we do?

Cash Reserves: Merric $2, Randy $15, Josh $4, Rich $9
Austria Hungary (x4): Merric 32, Randy 40, Josh 28, Rich 16
Italy (x3): Merric 15, Randy 0, Josh 21, Rich 6
France (x3): Merric 3, Randy 9, Josh 0, Rich 0
England (x5): Merric 60, Randy 40, Josh 40, Rich 0
Germany (x4): Merric 24, Randy 32, Josh 16, Rich 32
Russia (x3): Merric 6, Randy 0, Josh 3, Rich 21.

Final scores:
Merric $142 million
Randy $136 million
Josh $112 million
Rich $84 million