Baseball Tycoon

Game Review

by Mark Jackson



I don't know if Sports Dynasty is still in print... BUT I've got a copy. It has a monopoly-like board around which the players pieces move. The space you land on determines the action for that turn.

Each player is dealt 7 "superstars" at the beginning of the game... one in each sport (baseball, hockey, football, basketball) and 3 random.

Each superstar is equal in value. The majority of the spaces involve putting a new superstar into circulation or "helping" a superstar change teams. For example: buy a new player for 1.5 million; force a player to auction one superstar (the player who's superstar it is may participate); make an offer on another player's superstar... if he pays that amount to the bank, he can keep him... otherwise, you pay that amount and take him. Obviously, superstars help you win games. Whenever a player lands on the championship space OR rolls doubles, the end of the turn becomes the playoffs in the current sport. (The current sport rotates between the four sports). Games are played based on number of superstars (least superstars plays team with most, etc.). Games are simple... you get to roll as many dice as you have superstars. The winner of the playoffs takes a trophy in that sport and the salary pot.

Now each player "antes" up $300,000 per player to the salary pot (+$700,000 from the bank) and the new season starts. You win by winning 3 trophies in any one sport or 2 trophies each in 2 sports. Cash is vital but it doesn't count for the win. You've created your own sports dynasty! The game has a couple of minor flaws... in 5-6 games, one player is just going to get hosed... cash flow problems as other players win trophies & the salary pots. It does have a "gang up on the leader" affect, but it does not really prolong the game... longest we've played is about 1 hr 45 min. In it's favor, the auctions are tense, the playoffs hysterical, there are ways to mess with each other, and the gameplay is fast. An excellent choice for light gaming, esp. with non-gamer sports fans.


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