Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery (2007)

Not to be confused with Age of Discovery.

Designed by Glenn Drover, this boardgame version of the PC hit, Age of Empires III from Microsoft and Ensemble Studios, allows you to revisit the age of exploration and discovery. Take on the role of a colonial power seeking fame, glory, and riches in the New World. As you proceed through three ages, you can launch expeditions of discovery, colonize regions, expand your merchant fleet, build capitol buildings that give your nation distinct advantages, develop your economy, and, if necessary, declare war.

Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery features beautiful artwork from the PC game and from renowned artist Paul Niemeyer, but is a typical eurogame. Age of Empires III has hundreds of plastic figures, including ships, doubloons, colonists, merchants, captains, missionaries, and soldiers.

Though originally published for 5 players, the game is playable by 6 with the original components and board configuration with addition of a set of figures in another color. This was originally offered as an "expansion" and an incentive to pre-order the game.

Awards

• 2009 Ludoteca Ideale, Games of the Year
• 2008 Bruno Faidutti's Game of the Year
• 2007 Origins Awards Winner, Historical Board Game of the Year.
• 2007 International Gamers Award Best Strategy Game Nominee.
• 2007 Dice Tower Awards, Best Game of the Year Nominee.

Microbadges

Age of Empires III
Age of Empires III fan
Age of Empires III fan - Exploring the New World

Components:

• Gameboard
• 34 Capital Buildings
• 150 Colonists (30 x 5 Colors)
• 150 Specialists:
  • 25 Captains (5 x 5 Colors)
  • 25 Merchants (5 x 5 Colors)
  • 50 Missionaries (10 x 5 Colors)
  • 50 Soldiers (10 x 5 Colors)
• 10 Merchant Ships
• Money (50 x Silver, 40 x Gold)
• 46 Trade Goods (5 x Gold, 6 x Silver, 3 x Cattle, 3 x Cocoa, 3 x Fish, 6 x Sugar, 4 x Fur, 4 x Coffee, 5 x Tobacco, 3 x Rice, 4 x Indigo)
• 16 Discovery Counters
• 16 Discovery Cards
• Rulebook