# Age of Industry Expansion: Great Lakes & South Africa

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2013
- **BGG Rating**: 8.0
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 2, 3, 4)
- **Duration**: 120 min
- **Weight**: 3.41 / 5
- **Designers**: Claude Sirois
- **Artists**: Claude Sirois
- **Publishers**: (Self-Published), (Web published)
- **Categories**: Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Industry / Manufacturing, Print & Play, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting

## Verdict
If you already enjoy Age of Industry and want more maps to explore, these expansions are a great fit! The Great Lakes and South Africa scenarios bring new strategic challenges for those who love managing routes and industries.New strategic mapsInteresting seasonal challengesExpands replayabilityRich and immersive themeRequires base gameComplexity increases2-player focus (Lakes)FOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Expanding the Age of Industry universe, this map duo brings fresh air and new challenges to your table! Get ready to explore the Great Lakes region, a 2-player scenario focused on the water and rail routes connecting Canada and the USA. Here, transporting coal and iron ore is crucial for heavy industries like steel and automobiles, but beware: the harsh winter can close the waterways, forcing you to rely on trains and plan ahead to avoid isolation. The South Africa map, for 3 to 5 players, takes you to the late 19th century, in a race to exploit newly discovered gold and diamond riches. The challenge is to build strategic ports in coastal cities and expand development inland, ensuring a continuous supply for the mines. Both expansions maintain the economic and strategic essence of the base game, requiring good hand and resource management to dominate these new and exciting industrial regions. These maps are designed for those who already enjoy Age of Industry and want more depth and new strategies.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game Age of Industry to play with these maps?
Absolutely! These are expansion maps, so you'll need the original Age of Industry to use them.

### How many players can play with each map?
The Great Lakes map is designed for 2 players, while the South Africa map accommodates 3 to 5 players.

### Does the game's complexity change much with these expansions?
The overall complexity remains similar to the base game, but each map introduces its own nuances and strategic challenges that require good planning.

### What is the main theme of these new maps?
The Great Lakes map focuses on industry and transportation in the Great Lakes region (Canada/USA), emphasizing water and rail transport. South Africa explores the race for gold and diamonds in the late 19th century.

### Are these maps physical or digital (Print & Play)?
Originally, these are Print & Play maps, allowing you to print and prepare them yourself.

### What makes the Great Lakes map different?
The main difference is the influence of seasons. Water transport is crucial, but winter can close it, forcing the use of railways and more careful logistical planning.

### And South Africa, what's the unique aspect?
On this map, the focus is on exploiting mineral resources (gold and diamonds) and expanding infrastructure from the coast inland, requiring a good balance between development and logistics.