Die Macher*

Die Macher is a deeply strategic board game centered around seven sequential political races in various regions of Germany. Players take on the roles of leaders of national political parties, tasked with wisely managing their resources to lead their party to victory across these regional elections.

Victory Points and Scoring

The game's victory is determined by victory points, accumulated through four primary methods:

1. Regional Elections: Points vary from one to eighty, depending on a region's size and the player's performance in that election.
2. Media Influence: Winning a regional election with media influence in that region grants additional media-control victory points.
3. National Party Membership: As the game progresses, growing party membership contributes a significant number of victory points.
4. Party Platform and National Opinions: Aligning the party's platform with the national opinions at the end of the game scores points.

Evolving Game Editions

• The 1986 edition featured political parties from old West Germany, designed for 3-4 players.
• The 1997 edition expanded to support up to five players, reflecting the reunited Germany, and included updates to the game rules.
• The 2006 edition continued to support up to five players, introducing a shorter five-round variant and incorporating additional rule updates by the original designer.

Conclusion

Die Macher stands out for its intricate blend of strategy, political maneuvering, and resource management, appealing to players who enjoy complex, thought-provoking games with a historical and political theme.