18XX
Introduction
18XX is generic term for a series of board games which recreate the building of railroads during the 19th century, as the individual terms use years in the 19th century as game title and as starting point of their game time counting. 18XX games all have several common features:
- The games are based on hex maps representing an area of the world in which railroads are to be built
- Railroads are build by placing hex tiles on the map which contain track. The track connects stations through which trains owned by the company run to earn revenue.
- The games proceed with a series of stock rounds (where players buy and sell shares in railroad companies). Each stock round is followed by one or more operating rounds where railroads which have been invested in, lay track buy trains and earn revenue
- The aim of the game is to make money by investing in the most profitable railroads
- Railroads can pay out money to investors or withhold the money (for further train purchase or track costs). This decision affects the company's share price.
- The games proceed in phases whereby more useful expensive trains bring in more complex track and higher values
List of titles in the series
- 1825 (board game) England, released 1995, designed by Francis Tresham (game designer)
- 1826 (board game) France and Belgium, released 2000, designed by David G.D. Hecht
- 1829 (board game) England, released 1974, designed by Francis Tresham, started the series
- 1830 (board game) Northeastern United States, released 1986, designed by Francis Tresham and Bruce Shelley
- 1835 (board game) Germany, released 1990, designed by Michael Meier-Bachl
- 1853 (board game) India, released 1989, designed by Francis Tresham
- 1856 (board game) Canada, released 1995, designed by Bill Dixon
- 1870 (board game) Mississippi valley, USA, released 1995, designed by Bill Dixon
Note: The above represent commercial releases of games which use the format. There are many other 18XX games released by individual designers. For further information see .
Heterodox implementations of the game system
- Ur 1830BC A game about irrigation in Mesopotamia, released 2001, designed by Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga
- 2038 (board game) Asteroid belt, released 1995, designed by James Hlavaty and dmoz
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