The Depot's Arrivals Board
Hola, Mayfair/ICEAs Mark Twain might have put it, "Rumours of Mayfair's death have been greatly exagerated..." On the 31st of January, Mayfair games announced that they ceased operations. The staff was cut to one employee, who continued to take and fill orders while buyers looked at the company. Eventually, ICE (Iron Crown Enterprises, publishers of the Middle Earth Role-Playing Game and the Rolemaster game line) purchased most of the company. Mayfair will operate as an independent division of ICE, and the brothers Bromley will act as outside designers, developers, and consultants for the new Mayfair. The new Mayfair will not be dealing in some of the problem titles of the old one: Chill, SimCity, Fantasy Adventures, or Underground. The new company will continue to work in the lucrative field of importing German titles: the Seafarer expansion of The Settlers of Catan and The Settlers of Catan Card Game were announced as early priorities. India Rails, another title long-delayed, will be forthcoming in a better edition than orginally announced (a boxed edition instead of the tube). The status of the 18xx titles in limbo when Mayfair suspended operations is still unknown. I suggest writing to Mayfair and letting them know that there is still interest.
Carl Burger is making a limited edition of 1831 available prior to its release by Winsome Games. The limited edition game is hand-made, with no assembly necessary, custom-made component containers, wooden parts, extra parts (that will not be included in the commercial editon) and a personalized map. 26 of these will be made, and will sell for $250 each. These are orderable through Gamers in London have reported spotting copies of 1825 Unit one in stores again. There are differences reported from the previous incarnation - I'll try to get a complete report up as soon as possible. Mayfair has confirmed that it does intend to import the game. We'll see if this really happens this time...An expansion kit is available, numbered K1. It contains all of the tiles shown on the promotion chart that did not come in the box.
Chris Lawson has made add-on components for those who are lucky enough to have a copy. These add a lot of the features we have gotten accustomed to: company charters, corresponding tokens and shares, and a workable stock market. I can only hope that, if all of 1825 comes out, Chris will make these for all parts.
Chris Lawson seems to be the most active 18xx publisher of late... His latest work is 1876, which some of you may already know as Trinidad. Because many people have been asking me about ordering European games, and to make ordering things a little bit easier, I have agreed to be the US clearing point for orders of Chris's games, saving a bit on exchange work for everyone. I've set up a central page for Chris's designs, as well the information found under the individual titles, 1825, 1841, 1876, and 1899.1876 is a pair of micro-board games set in Trinidad. One uses 1835 rules, the other 1830 rules. They feature (different) 12 hex maps, have only 3 Corporations and limited number of Private Companies (4) and Trains (11 or 12). Even with these small numbers, the games provide the usual problems for players and gives the feel of a full 18xx game but are playable in just 2 to 3 hours. Primarily for 3 or 4 players, the two games each have their own flavour and show that even with a minimal set it is possible to have a workable mini-18xx game.
Chris's previous release, 1841, is a reissue of Federico Vellani's game set in Northern Italy. Possibly the most innovative 18xx title released to date, 1841 introduces a lot of new concepts: major and minor corporations (note, minors are not 1835 equivalents); historical and non-historical corporations (there are 24 corporations!); start location (for non-historical corporations) & number of tokens are determined by the director at launch; corporations have a financial step during their operating round, during which they can buy and sell shares in other corporations, launch new corporations, merge with other corporations, or transform from a minor to a major corporation; country borders on the map effect tile and token lays; and new terrain types including hills, Appennine passes and Alpine passes.
Chris has also made a gamekit for 1899 (an 1830 variant set in China), and some replacement components for 1825, which are very useful now that the game has seen final(?) release.
For more information on these titles, see the individual game titles or the Chris Lawson information page.
Colin Barnhorst announced several 18xx titles, the first of which, 1869: The Golden Spike, is now available. I have heard from a couple of people who have received the game, but would still like a review. Other titles in the series: 18GM or 1872 are still pending, to the best of my knowledge. Price is $45, unassembled, and may be ordered from:
Federico has released the latest version of 1849, release 3.0. It is available, both as a complete game and as an upgrade kit. Check the 1849 page for ordering information.
Federico also publishes an 18XX magazine Cavalli di ferro & facce di bronzo (written mostly in Italian) which costs 60,000 Lira for 10 issues (overseas rate). Cdf&fdb #0 was published in September, 1991,
and #43 will be shipping soon. Each issue is up to 32 pages, and 18XX variants are often included. I have asked if back issues are available and will post this information as soon as I have itFederico has supplied me with some back issues, which give me a better feel for the contents. In addition to reviews, there are extensive replays of play-by-mail 18xx games, recaps of tournaments, variants, and humor. I recommend it if you can handle the translation work.
Wolfram Janich's games, 1842 and 1847, are now officially available. Check their pages for reviews and ordering information.
Colin Barnhorst's advertisement in the last Train Gamer's Gazette said that 18GM was due very soon, and that 1872 was due this fall, and 1900 would be available this month. I have not been able to confirm whether either 18GM or 1872 has been released. Both are supposed to be $45, unassembledIf anyone has gotten of copy of these games and would like to review them, please let me know!
Chris Lawson is currently working on several projects. They include new editions of Wolfram Janich's 1842 and 1847. The author is currently reworking some elements of the games, so it may be a little while before they see the light of day, though.He is also working on the Mark Derrick designs: 18TN and 18GA (see below). 18TN is in the middle of playtesting, and 18GA is barely into playtesting (primarily because most of the playtesters have been concentrating on 18TN), so these may be a while off, too. Chris is also exploring some other designs, so keep tuned...
Mark Derrick has been working on some small-scale 18xx designs, the first of which, 18TN, is pretty far in playtesting. I am fortunate enough to be one of the playtesters on this one, and it looks interesting. Mark is trying encourage the design of smaller 18xx games, which can be played in about 2 hours. As you might guess from the title, 18TN is set in Tennesee. Mark has also started playtesting on 18GA, to be set in Georgia. Further information on these games can be found on Mark's website
Federico Vellani's 1827 west has entered playtesting. Due to 1827s size and graphical quality (most of the prototype's components are in the full color, though the playtest kits are not) cannot be produced "at home" like 1841 or 1849, and some kind of professional help will be needed. I was recently treated to seeing the full prototype of the game. To produce it in full color the way Federico has done it would cost a small fortune - I do not expect to see it published in quite the lush format he has used... Federico has provided some detailed information on the game, to whet your appetite. In addition, we have a preview provided by Alex Barattieri, with some additional gleanings from others.
Mayfair's recent troubles has the status of Bill Dixon's 1832 and 1850 in the air. I'll post updated information as soon as I have word of it..
TimJim/Prism Games is working on another 18xx title, 1834, though no projection has been made on an eventual release. It is set in New England and Quebec. It's currently in playtest.
Apparently, the programmers at SimTex had some fun while programming 1830. The first April Fool's day since its release has just passed, and several people reported unusual happenings in their games. If you want to experience them, reset your system clock to the 1st of April, and watch what happens in the stock round after the initial auction!
Federico Vellani has provided us with a look at his plans for the future. Take a look at what one of the innovating forces in 18xx games has in the works!
Go back to the platform.
