History of the World (often abbreviated HotW) is a board game designed by Ragnar Brothers and originally published in 1991. It is played by up to six players in seven epochs (6 epochs in the 2009 edition, and 5 epochs in the 2018 edition), each player playing a different empire in each epoch.
Ragnar Brothers (1991), Compendium Games (1992), Welt der Spiele (1993), Gibsons Games (1993), Avalon Hill (1993), Hasbro (2001), Ragnar Brothers (2009), Z-Man Games (2018)
The first edition of History of the World by Ragnar Brothers was released in 1991 (with a tea-towel board).[2] This first edition sold out in a few weeks, according to Game Designer, Steve Kendall.[3] Following English, Dutch and German versions by various publishers, it was published by Avalon Hill in 1993. After Avalon Hill was purchased by Hasbro in the early 2000s, History of the World was re released as a big box game.[1] Ragnar Brothers released a revised version of the game, A Brief History of the World, in 2009.[4] The game was then handed to Z-Man Games who created the most recent edition in 2018.[citation needed]
Gameplay
The game is played in seven rounds known as epochs (6 epochs in the 2009 edition, and 5 epochs in the 2018 edition),[5][unreliable source?] which correspond to different historical periods. At the beginning of each epoch, each player receives an empire card and assumes the role of that empire for the round. Each empire has advantages and disadvantages based on the order in which it appears in an epoch, starting location on the world map, its number of armies, navigation abilities (access to certain lands by sea), and whether or not it possesses a capital. Empires not having capitals are known as Marauders and they gain points for sacking other players structures.
During each empire's turn, its allocated units are placed on the board beginning from its capital (or starting space) and proceeding through contiguous areas and controlled seas or oceans. Occupation of empty territory is automatic, while dice-based combat rules are applied if a unit is placed in an area already occupied by another player's forces.
At the end of each player's turn, they are given a score based on how much control they have of regions of the board (known as "Areas") and how many capital, cities, and monuments they possess. The remains of players' empires never move again, but remain on the board for the rest of the game until they are conquered or destroyed by other empires. Players are also given "Greater Events" and "Lesser Events" cards at the beginning of the game, which can be used throughout the game to gain certain advantages.[6]
Influence
The game's concept of scoring based on level of control in a region was cited by designer Jason Matthews as an influence on Twilight Struggle (2005).[7]
Reception
In 1994, History of the World won the Origins Award for "Best Pre-20th Century Boardgame of 1993".[8]
^Harrigan, Pat; Wardrip-Fruin, Noah (2011). "Twilight Struggle and Card-Driven Historicity". In Costikyan, Greg; Davidson, Drew (eds.). Tabletop: Analog Game Design. n.p.: ETC Press. pp. 158–166. doi:10.1184/R1/6686933. ISBN9781257870608.
^. Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
^"Pyramid: Pyramid Review: History of the World Game".
External links
Play Online (renamed Empires)
January 22, 2023
history, world, board, game, history, world, often, abbreviated, hotw, board, game, designed, ragnar, brothers, originally, published, 1991, played, players, seven, epochs, epochs, 2009, edition, epochs, 2018, edition, each, player, playing, different, empire,. History of the World often abbreviated HotW is a board game designed by Ragnar Brothers and originally published in 1991 It is played by up to six players in seven epochs 6 epochs in the 2009 edition and 5 epochs in the 2018 edition each player playing a different empire in each epoch History of the World 1 DesignersGary Dicken Steve Kendall Phil KendallPublishersRagnar Brothers 1991 Compendium Games 1992 Welt der Spiele 1993 Gibsons Games 1993 Avalon Hill 1993 Hasbro 2001 Ragnar Brothers 2009 Z Man Games 2018 Publication1991Players3 6Playing time180 minutesContents 1 Brief history 2 Gameplay 3 Influence 4 Reception 5 Reviews 6 References 7 External linksBrief history EditThe first edition of History of the World by Ragnar Brothers was released in 1991 with a tea towel board 2 This first edition sold out in a few weeks according to Game Designer Steve Kendall 3 Following English Dutch and German versions by various publishers it was published by Avalon Hill in 1993 After Avalon Hill was purchased by Hasbro in the early 2000s History of the World was re released as a big box game 1 Ragnar Brothers released a revised version of the game A Brief History of the World in 2009 4 The game was then handed to Z Man Games who created the most recent edition in 2018 citation needed Gameplay EditThe game is played in seven rounds known as epochs 6 epochs in the 2009 edition and 5 epochs in the 2018 edition 5 unreliable source which correspond to different historical periods At the beginning of each epoch each player receives an empire card and assumes the role of that empire for the round Each empire has advantages and disadvantages based on the order in which it appears in an epoch starting location on the world map its number of armies navigation abilities access to certain lands by sea and whether or not it possesses a capital Empires not having capitals are known as Marauders and they gain points for sacking other players structures During each empire s turn its allocated units are placed on the board beginning from its capital or starting space and proceeding through contiguous areas and controlled seas or oceans Occupation of empty territory is automatic while dice based combat rules are applied if a unit is placed in an area already occupied by another player s forces At the end of each player s turn they are given a score based on how much control they have of regions of the board known as Areas and how many capital cities and monuments they possess The remains of players empires never move again but remain on the board for the rest of the game until they are conquered or destroyed by other empires Players are also given Greater Events and Lesser Events cards at the beginning of the game which can be used throughout the game to gain certain advantages 6 Influence EditThe game s concept of scoring based on level of control in a region was cited by designer Jason Matthews as an influence on Twilight Struggle 2005 7 Reception EditIn 1994 History of the World won the Origins Award for Best Pre 20th Century Boardgame of 1993 8 Reviews EditPyramid 9 References Edit a b History of the World 1991 BoardGameGeek History of the World Ragnar Brothers First edition BoardGameGeek History of the World 2018 Rules of Play booklet A Brief History of the World 2009 BoardGameGeek History of the World BoardGameGeek Retrieved 2022 09 01 History of the World Manual PDF Wizards of the Coast Archived from the original PDF on March 9 2005 Harrigan Pat Wardrip Fruin Noah 2011 Twilight Struggle and Card Driven Historicity In Costikyan Greg Davidson Drew eds Tabletop Analog Game Design n p ETC Press pp 158 166 doi 10 1184 R1 6686933 ISBN 9781257870608 Origins Award Winners 1993 Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts amp Design Archived from the original on 2008 03 07 Retrieved 2008 03 24 Pyramid Pyramid Review History of the World Game External links EditPlay Online renamed Empires Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title History of the World board game amp oldid 1108773985, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
