Die Macher
- Designer Karl-Heinz Schmiel
- Publisher Hans im Glück , Moskito Spiele , Ediciones MasQueOca , Portal Games , Spielworxx
- Illustration Bernd Brunnhofer , Marcus Gschwendtner , Harald Lieske
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Die Macher, players lead political parties competing in seven consecutive regional elections across Germany. You manage limited resources, form alliances, bid in auctions, and influence media to gain victory points. The game features hand management, simultaneous action selection, and area majority mechanics, creating a complex and interactive experience with negotiation and strategic planning.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at experienced players aged 14 and up who enjoy complex political strategy games. With a duration of around 240 minutes, it requires patience and commitment, making it unsuitable for casual or family play.
How It Works
Die Macher uses mechanics such as Alliances, Area Majority / Influence, and Auction / Bidding. Players simultaneously select actions to gain influence in German regions, manage their hand of resources, and roll dice to resolve events. Strategic alliances and bidding on key actions are essential to strengthen your party and secure victory points from regional wins, media control, and growing national membership.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Die Macher won the Essener Feder for Best Written Rules in 1998 and was recommended for Spiel des Jahres the same year. It is part of Valley Games' Classic Line and is renowned for its deep political negotiation and strategic complexity.
Awards
1998
- 2008 JoTa Best Monster Board Game — Winner
- 1998 Essener Feder Best Written Rules — Winner
- 1998 Essener Feder — Winner
- 1997 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Deep political strategy simulating real election campaigns
- High player interaction through negotiation and alliances
- Award-winning, well-written rules (Essener Feder 1998)
- Complex mechanics including hand management and auctions
Contra
- Long playtime around 240 minutes
- Requires patience and experience with complex games
- Not suitable for players under 14
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game simulates the political elections in Germany across seven regions, focusing on party competition and media influence within the Bundestag context.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Take time to understand the complex mechanics and focus on building influence rather than short-term gains.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Die Macher supports 3 to 5 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game lasts about 240 minutes, so plan for a lengthy gaming session.
What prior experience do I need?
The game is designed for experienced players familiar with complex political strategy games.
How does this compare to similar games?
Die Macher combines political negotiation, area majority, and auction mechanics with a focus on realistic German election simulation.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its long duration and complexity, it is less suitable for families with younger players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Alliances, Area Majority, and Auction / Bidding mechanics defines its strategic depth.
Fazit
Die Macher is recommended for players who appreciate deep political strategy games with heavy interaction and negotiation. It is less suited for shorter or more casual gaming sessions.
