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It’s 1833. The East India Company has just had its monopoly of trade revoked by an official act of Parliament. You, and others like you, see a golden opportunity for profit in China. For too long the Company’s polite deference to the Qing has smothered progress and stifled trade. There is real money to be made here and you intend to make it.
An Infamous Traffic is a brutal economic board game for two to five souls brave enough to conduct the opium trade in the fracturing political landscape of 19th century Qing China. Initially, you will need to rely on smugglers in order to get your products into the interior, but, if Parliament can be swayed, perhaps an open war can make the trade more secure. At the same time, you’ll want to be careful. If British aggression goes unchecked, the region may become a failed state, which could jeopardize your hard fought gains.
Of course, the massive wealth you’ll earn won’t be enough. Trade is still a dirty word among those in the top rungs of society. You certainly haven't forgotten how your business holdings were sneered at by some prodigal baronet during your brief stint at Oxford. They don’t understand. The empire they enjoy was built on trade, not pedigree. So, you’ll play their game, snatching up the precious symbols of nobility with your hard won cash. Perhaps you can restore a beloved castle and stuff it full of the latest luxuries. The right marriage or government post would certainly guarantee your place in society. You might even be tempted to rob your own firm to get that extra edge back home.
In any case, there’s demand for opium in China, and you intend to meet it.
—description from the publisher
See the Living Rules. (Source)
- Hellraisers
- Oath
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Second Edition — The game is being discussed in its second edition.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's about 90% of what it is we're trying to do. Okay.
- So, here is my answer to you, George, and to everybody else out there.
- We sometimes feature games that are obscure, uh, like maybe an incorporated or like a Granville or anything like that to highlight it so that it might get picked up and reprinted.
- The star of the show is whatever game we're featuring. That's what's the star.
- It's a logistics card game for two players.
- I have no affinity for Star Trek or Star Wars for that matter. Different animals, I understand. Don't don't yell at me. I'm just saying it.
References (from this video)
- shorter than John Company (2nd edition) which the speaker enjoys
- interesting thematic focus on opium trade
- mechanics details not fully known from the transcript
- opportunity and moral compromise in opium trade
- East India Company era
- economic simulation
- John Company
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Rolling — dice determine actions/strength
- network building — network-based economic actions
- team-based play — two to five players working in teams
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- welcome to drunk It's games
- I will go through those in alphabetical order
- I'm going to be talking about a bunch of games that I've learned about over the last month
- if you think I missed a game or if you have thoughts about any of these games then please comment
- world wonders I am very excited to try this game
References (from this video)
- Similar vibes to John Company; shorter; intriguing
- John Company
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a competitive two-player version of dwarf romantic
- I'm actually super excited about this one
- it just looks like absolutely my kind of game
References (from this video)
- Played it once at a convention and really enjoyed it.
- It's heavy as heck.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- there's there's a version of Monopoly yeah
- Artisan dragons with five in their breath craft goods and wonders with skill that's top shelf
- I don't have any information on a game called Flame crap because it doesn't exist in the data I was trained on
- Securing valuable resource spots and diversifying your access to resources are key strategies.
- they have figured out how to do parkour in board game mechanics
- get your ass on Board Game Geek get ass Board Game Geek
- it was seven eight guilt eight guild and one not guilty and then so the lady who is not guilty she just said I just want to talk about it for a minute okay we talked about it for five minutes and we revoted and it was guilty done
- the worst thing is to be the alternate oh you know watch the whole thing and then you got to just stop and you leave