Unpub Preview: Feudum

Let's take a deeper look at Feudum, which first appeared in the Unpub Program during the Valhalla's Gate Unpub Mini from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday May 11, 2013!

Mark Swanson's Feudum is subtitled "Fierce, Yet Frolicsome Game of Fiefdoms and Feudal Lords," which really gives you a little flavor for this medieval economics game with Action/Movement Programming, Simultaneous Action, Hand Management, and Area Influence.

Let's hear what Mark has to say about his creation...

What was your inspiration for Feudum? I saw a poster in an ice cream shop with a monster on it. Really. It’s the medieval game I’ve always wished existed. And, now it does!

What is your favorite part of Feudum? Multiple paths to victory and unique game mechanic that involves a progressive economic cycle.

To your knowledge, what do other people find most interesting about Feudum? Ability to optimize your actions. A true sense of being the master of your own destiny!

What has been the most challenging part of designing Feudum?  Balancing the game so that each strategy (out of many) has merit!

What advice would you give to players attempting Feudum for the first time? Adapt to changing game conditions. Timing is important for scoring.

What has surprised you most in play-tests of Feudum?  Very balanced and very close endings. Oh, and that people actually like playing my game and want to play it again. Gosh!

People who like___________ will like Feudum. Why?  Wow. I tried to make it unique, but I’d say Puerto Rico (replayable), Shogun/Maharaja (Unique actions), Ascending Empires/Rattus/Mykerinos (Special Character abilities), Moongha Invaders/Small World, (whimsy) Caylus (cuz it’s deep, but not brain busting)

What do you hope to accomplish at the  Valhalla's Gate Unpub Mini from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday May 11, 2013? Fine tune game mechanics. Understand popular strategies. Work out kinks.

Tell us anything else you want to say about Feudum that I haven't asked or you haven't said already. “Blimey! You’ve been exiled from your homeland and left with but a few shillings. What a shamble! Now, you must journey to a strange land to reinvent yourself—and reclaim your honor. Will you farm the earth, fight as a knight or finagle your own feudums?”

Feudum (Latin for fiefdom) is an economic medieval game of hand and resource management for 2-5 players. With many strategies at their disposal, players optimize 4 actions per turn in attempt to score the most victory points over four epochs.

Each player controls up to three characters (farmer, merchant, alchemist, knight, noble and monk) who roam the countryside tending farms, taxing towns and taking outposts in effort to rise in power. But, that’s only the tip of the unicorn’s horn! Players also compete to acquire coveted feudums to boost their membership status in one of six guilds. Once a guild member, each player dutifully plays his part in a progressive economic cycle. In other words, the farmer ships goods to the merchant who equips the alchemist, who invents black powder, which arms the knight, and so on.

Of course, Feudum ownership comes with a price!  Vassals must pay military service to the king by attacking opponents or risk the charge of disloyalty.

If a player runs his guilds wisely, maintains control of key locations and adapts best to changing events, he will be victorious. Unless, of course, he starves, gets sidetracked by sea serpents or develops an unhealthy interest in fermented grapes. Long live the King!

Come play Feudum at the Valhalla's Gate Unpub Mini from12pm to 8pm on Saturday May 11, 2013!