John Company
- Designer Cole Wehrle
- Publisher Sierra Madre Games , Fox in the Box
- Illustration Cole Wehrle
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In John Company, you play as families managing the British East India Company, balancing cooperation and competition. You negotiate, use bribery, and make strategic decisions affecting the company's fortunes and your prestige back home. The game offers both a full campaign spanning decades and shorter scenarios focusing on different historical periods, featuring dice rolling and push-your-luck elements.
Who Is This Game For?
This game targets experienced gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy complex economic simulations and political negotiation. With a typical playtime of around 180 minutes, it requires patience and strategic thinking. Prior experience with negotiation and simulation games helps in mastering its layered mechanics.
How It Works
John Company blends mechanics like Negotiation, Bribery, and Variable Player Powers. Players collectively run the company, making budget choices and assigning family members to colonial or London positions. Dice rolling supports specific actions, while Push Your Luck adds risk management. The gameplay mixes cooperative company management with competitive political intrigue.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Cole Wehrle, John Company was a 2017 finalist for the Golden Elephant Award. It stands out through its historical depth on the British East India Company and the integration of negotiation and economic simulation. The game belongs to a thematic family focused on Anglo-Indian wars and colonial settings.
Awards
- 2017 The Golden Elephant Award — Finalist
Also Available As
-
John Company: Second Edition 2022
All editions are grouped on this page — ratings, awards, and statistics apply to all equally.
Pro
- Deep economic and political simulation
- Variable Player Powers allow diverse playstyles
- Mix of cooperative and competitive company management
- Historically grounded colonial India theme
Contra
- Long playtime around 180 minutes
- Complex mechanics demand strategic experience
- Not suitable for players under 14
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in colonial India from 1720 to 1857 during the heyday of the British East India Company, the game combines economic expansion with political and military conflicts of the era.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on understanding negotiation mechanics first and observe how your decisions affect the company and your family's standing.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes, John Company includes a solo mode for one player.
How long does a game really take?
A full game takes about 180 minutes, with the campaign spanning an entire evening.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with complex economic simulations and negotiation games helps to grasp the mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
John Company uniquely combines negotiation, bribery, and dice rolling in a historical setting, differing from pure economic games.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and age restriction of 14+, it is better suited for older teens and adults.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of Negotiation, Bribery, and Variable Player Powers creates a unique political and economic dynamic.
Fazit
John Company is recommended for players who appreciate political and economic complexity and have time for an in-depth session. Casual players might find the length and complexity challenging.
