Project overview

18DO-Dortmund is basically an 18xx game which has been enlarged by the implementation of breweries. In 18DO-Dortmund the players are investors who invest in both, breweries and Railway Corporations. Each player starts with a Minor Brewery. In addition every player may found a Railway Corporation. Coal mines and steel mills have a passive role only, but their locations have an impact on the game’s development.
All breweries are located in the hex “Dortmund City”. They produce and supply beer and during the course of the game they improve their brewery equipment in order to scope with the increasing requirements of the beer market.
The Railway Corporations are more dynamic. From their starting field at the border of the map they lay tracks to the coal mines and steel mills. On this tracks they run their trains virtually and achieve income according to the value of the hexes which are part of their trains’ routes. When connecting the locations of coal mines and steel mills with the railway network the demand for beer will be increased. This reflects that the coal mines/steels mills with a railway link are able to increase their capacities and the consequently needed higher workforce will trigger an increase of beer consumption.
18DO-Dortmund consists of several variants of different complexity:
  • 18DO-Dortmund - The Introduction Game is designed for newbies which enter the complex world of 18xx games for the first time. This variant is reduced to the operating rounds of the game. Players will become familiar with the rules about track laying, phase changes and train runs. Playing time 60 to 90 minutes.
  • 18DO-Dortmund - The Railway Game is a classic 18xx game with some new features applying to the Dortmund area. There are no beer market and no brewery corporations, but beer will be transported. Playing time 120 to 180 minutes.
  • 18DO-Dortmund - Heat, Sweat & Beer is the full game designed for 18xx veterans and players which favor higher complexity. This variant implements the Dortmund brewery industry into 18xx. In addition to the stock market and railway companies’ management there are a beer market and breweries which create new challenges. Playing time 240 to 300 minutes.