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Three
Games in One
More than a game, DISTANT SEAS is
really a game system into which you can plug various
historical scenarios. Three separate and
historically accurate games are included with DISTANT
SEAS, covering the three eras of sail, steam, and
contemporary shipping.
- Contemporary Game, which covers merchant
shipping in the world today, this is the game with which
you begin play.
- Steamship Game, which is set about the year
1910, when steamships were dominant in merchant
shipping.
- Sail Game, which is set about the year 1860,
when sailing ships ruled the seas.
The game is played on a heavy-duty,
fold-out eight-color nautical map of the world that
accurately depicts the oceans, seas, seaports, and other
features of the world. The map also accurately
depicts the prevailing wind currents on the oceans of the
world, which are closely followed when shipping in the
sail era is being played.
Basic Concept of the Game
The basic idea of the game is to transport cargoes from
one seaport to another, earning points with each
successfully delivered cargo. Points earned can be
used to buy more ships. A player begins the game
with one ship and can build up a fleet of up to nine
ships. The player that has the most points at the
end of the game wins.
Shipping activities are affected by storms, collisions,
and other occurrences at sea, as well as by unpredictable
business factors in other lands, all of which add to
realism.
Exciting Optional Rules
Play can be enhanced by the optional bidding rules, in
which players bid for cargoes among themselves, adding
considerably to the competitive spirit of the game.
“All of a sudden there were lots of ships, and too few
cargos, which is where the Bidding Rule started to come in
for heavy play. (Bidding is actually an Optional
Rule; ignore the option and use it. It is the heart
of the game.)”
Components:
- 1 Full Color 25 x 39 Map sheet;
- 80 die-cut Ship Counters;
- 168 Cargo Manifests;
- 120 Ballast and Bullion Cards;
- 24 Fortune Cards;
- 20 Fortune/Bid Markers;
- 2 dice; and
- Rules Booklet
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