Power Grid

Power Gridis the updated release of theFriedemann Friesecrayon gameFunkenschlag. It removes the crayon aspect from network building in the original edition, while retaining the fluctuating commodities market likeCrude: The Oil Gameand an auction round intensity reminiscent ofThe Princes of Florence.

The objective ofPower Gridis to supply the most cities with power when someone’s network gains a predetermined size. In this new edition, players mark pre-existing routes between cities for connection, and then bid against each other to purchase the power plants that they use to power their cities.

However, as plants are purchased, newer, more efficient plants become available, so by merely purchasing, you’re potentially allowing others access to superior equipment.

Additionally, players must acquire the raw materials (coal, oil, garbage, and uranium) needed to power said plants (except for the ‘renewable’ windfarm/ solar plants, which require no fuel), making it a constant struggle to upgrade your plants for maximum efficiency while still retaining enough wealth to quickly expand your network to get the cheapest routes.