Duck Dealer (2008)

About this game

Duck Dealer is a game of involved, complex planning, set against a background of intergalactic trade. It is a game about recognizing routes, and developing profitable infrastructures; but above all, it's a game of racing your opponent to that one great opportunity you both see-- or do they have a different plan? The object of the game is to amass riches by buying plastic beads, yellow rubber ducks, blue paint, and other innovative high-tech materials and then selling them to hapless consumers across the universe. Players take turns. Most turns will be very quick as players focus on collecting enough energy to realize their plans. From time to time, a player will burst into action, fly around the universe, and, hopefully, gain more money than his opponents… Over the course of the game, players improve their spaceship, adding extra gear and cargo space. As they explore the galaxy, new centers of production rise to prominence, trade routes are changed, and money is made by different tricks…

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 5.
• Rules load. At 3.7/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.