# Macao

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2009
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: #551
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 50-100 min
- **Weight**: 3.13 / 5
- **Designers**: Stefan Feld
- **Artists**: Harald Lieske, Julien Delval
- **Publishers**: alea, Ravensburger AG, Rio Grande Games, White Goblin Games
- **Categories**: Dice, Nautical
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting, Pick-up and Deliver, Set Collection

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love dense 'euro' games and enjoy planning several moves ahead. The cube programming system is brilliant!Innovative action programmingHigh strategic depthWell-integrated nautical themeMultiple scoring pathsSteep learning curveModerate language dependenceFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Imagine yourself as a daring adventurer in the late 17th century, seeking fortune in Macao, the mysterious port city on China's southern coast that served as a Portuguese trading post. Whether you take the role of a fearless captain, an influential governor, a skilled craftsman, or a keen scholar, your goal is simple: accumulate the most prestige through a tightly woven global strategy.

The game unfolds over 12 rounds, and this is where it gets interesting. Each round, you select a card from a display (some are available from the start, others are revealed as the game progresses). These cards provide special abilities, though the most powerful ones require more resources to activate. The heart of the game, however, is the 'ship's wheel'. One player rolls six different-colored dice, and everyone chooses two of them. The die value determines how many cubes of that color you place on your wheel, but there's a twist: you place these cubes in future positions. In essence, you are programming your resources for upcoming rounds!

As the wheel rotates and your cubes become available, you use these action points to do everything: activate the cards you've collected, buy city quarters to gather goods, sail across Europe to deliver those goods, acquire gold coins, or even climb the turn order track to act before your opponents. It's a game of long-term planning, where you must balance hand management with transport logistics and city building. The player who best manages their resources and opportunities over the 12 rounds claims victory. Part of the Alea Big Box series, it has a significant weight, so get ready to put your brain to work with its tactical complexity!

## FAQ
### Is the game very difficult?
Yes, it's considered an 'Expert' game. With a BGG weight of 3.13, it requires significant planning and attention to detail; it's not for casual gaming.

### How long does a game take?
Expect to spend between 50 to 100 minutes. Playtime may vary depending on the group's familiarity with the programming mechanic.

### Is there language dependence?
Yes, there is moderate language dependence. You'll need a translation sheet or translated cards to understand the special abilities.

### How many players can play?
From 2 to 4 players. It works well in any configuration, but the competition for dice and cards gets more intense with more players.

### What is the overall feel of the game?
It feels like a puzzle. You're planning something for round 5 while you're still in round 2, trying to predict what will be needed.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 225.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=490948&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/1303/macao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com