Homesteaders
- Designer Alex Rockwell
- Publisher Tasty Minstrel Games , Quined Games
- Illustration Hans Janssen , Ariel Seoane
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Homesteaders, players bid in auctions over ten rounds to build various types of buildings using resource cubes. Buildings provide abilities, income, and points, some requiring workers. The game combines auction phases with resource management and strategic building placement, challenging players to optimize their income and points throughout the game.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed for experienced gamers aged 14 and up, Homesteaders demands strategic planning and familiarity with auction and resource management mechanics. With a typical playtime of 90 minutes, it suits players looking for a medium-length, complex economic game.
How It Works
Each round starts with auctions where players bid on building types using fixed placement and turn order until pass mechanics. Players then spend resources to construct buildings, gaining income and bonuses. Auction compensation reduces losses for unsuccessful bids. Points are scored from buildings, end game bonuses, and selling resources after ten rounds.
What Makes It Special
Alex Rockwell combines multiple auction mechanisms with a rich resource management system. Homesteaders was nominated for the Meeples Choice Award in 2009 and Golden Geek Best Strategy in 2010. It belongs to the TMG Originals series and uniquely blends auction bidding with tableau building.
Awards
2010
- 2009 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Diverse auction mechanics provide tactical depth
- Complex management of nine different resources
- End game bonuses add strategic layers
- Nominated for Meeples Choice Award 2009 and Golden Geek Best Strategy 2010
Contra
- No solo mode, only for 2-4 players
- Relatively long playtime of about 90 minutes
- Complexity requires experience with economic games
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in the American West, Homesteaders simulates city building through the construction of various buildings and resource management in a frontier economy.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding the auction phases and plan your resource spending carefully.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Homesteaders is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game typically lasts about 90 minutes, fitting a medium-length economic game.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with complex economic and auction games is helpful.
How does this compare to similar games?
Homesteaders uniquely combines multiple auction types with resource management and tableau building.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and length, it is better suited for experienced players rather than families with children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Auction / Bidding, Auction Compensation, and Tableau Building defines its gameplay.
Fazit
Homesteaders offers deep strategic gameplay for fans of auctions and economics, though it requires patience and experience to master.
