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We all like tech. You’ll be using some to read this – unless you’ve cast a magic spell that allows you to read the internet in the air before your golden eyes. But there’s downsides to technological developments. Yes, we spend too long in front of screens (but don’t go wandering off before you’ve finished reading this) and we’ve got a habit of typing messages we might not say to each other’s faces. But you know who doesn’t care? The people who own these social media platforms. It’s all about the money, I guess. Why worry about the damage you wreak upon the world when your adverts and you blue tickers are raking in the dough? The question is, could you or I do any better?
There’s a way to find out! Tech Race from Brainy Hearty Games (yep, it’s one of the crazier company names I’ve seen, and I kinda like it) puts you in the position of a CEO of a cutting edge tech startup, and you’ll be handling all aspects of running your new company, so here’s hoping you’re business savvy. Each CEO has a unique skill that you must utilize if you want to take your company to the top, so this choice can affect the path your gameplay takes. From the placement of your first office on the map to developing your initial technology and assembling a team of skilled employees, you must outsmart, outpace, and outgrow your competitors as you race to achieve the highest startup valuation and prove your company to be the firm of the future.
The game takes place over 9 rounds, each comprising 3 phases: Staffing, Action, and Lobbying.
1. Staffing: You need people to do stuff for you, and they need to get paid. The right staff can unlock new abilities, but keep an eye on your finances, you've got to balance those books.
2. Action: There's a bunch of actions your employees can take - after all, they've got to earn that paycheck. They'll expand your territories, obtain new customers or steal existing ones from your competitors, and collect materials to develop futuristic technologies. You may find that in order to get what you want you'll have to bargain with other players...
3. Lobbying: Compete in bidding wars to implement new policies that can earn you rewards or trigger chaotic events.
As the game advances, policy cards will be drawn each round. CEOs then bid on their desired policy. The policy with the highest total bid from all players will be selected and put into play. Plan well, as these policies can earn you valuable rewards.
Plenty to keep you busy, then.
Brainy Hearty are gearing up for a crowdfunding launch on November 18th, so head over to their Kickstarter and sign up for notification of when the campaign kicks off.