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Game Overview
During the Meiji era, Japan transforms into a modern industrial power, and you lead one of the great Zaibatsu conglomerates. Thematically, you guide the destiny of your corporation by building factories, developing new technologies, and dominating the domestic and export markets. Mechanically, you utilize an innovative worker-retrieval system where you take workers from action spaces to run your factories, with the color of the workers determining your efficiency during consolidation.
Goal of the Game
The goal is to accumulate the most victory points through industrial expansion and regional influence in Japan. The game ends when the influence tiles run out or the shipping track reaches its end.
Gameplay
Preparation
- Each player receives an individual board and starting capital in Yen.
- Factory blueprints and goods tiles are placed on the main board.
- Workers (meeples) are randomly distributed across the action spaces on the main board.
A Turn
On your turn, you must take exactly 1 worker from any action space and place it on your player board. Then, perform one of the actions associated with that space:
- Invest: Build a new factory or upgrade an existing one.
- Technology: Increase your technology level to produce more advanced goods.
- Production: Manufacture goods in up to 3 of your factories (costs coal).
- Market: Deliver goods to Japanese regions to place influence tiles.
- Export & Shipping: Sell goods overseas for bonuses or improve your shipping track.
Consolidation
Instead of taking a worker, you may choose to consolidate:
- Receive income (money and coal) based on your progress.
- Pay your workers. The more different colors you have collected, the higher the cost.
- Apply a multiplier to your end-game scoring conditions on your board.
Key Elements
| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| Worker Color | Determines costs during consolidation; sets of the same color are cheaper to maintain. |
| Influence | Calculated based on the value of the delivered goods and your shipping level. |
| Good Tiers | There are 3 levels (e.g., Silk and Paper up to Lightbulbs and Watches). |
| Knowledge | Grants access to blueprints and more efficient production methods. |
Game End & Scoring
- At the end of the game, majorities in the 4 regions of Japan are scored.
- Chosen multipliers on your player board determine how many points you receive for milestones (money, factories, exports).
- The player with the highest total score after this final tally wins.