Tycoon

Jumbo · Board game · 1998
2–4 · best 4 90 min Weight 2.6/5
rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

For fans of business games with racing and bluffing elements. The hook? Nail-biting tension between expansion and cash flow!

Highlights
  • Strategic movement with airline tickets
  • Cutthroat area majority battles
  • Factories as valuable bonuses
Keep in mind
  • Loans can set you back
  • Limited direct player interaction
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In Tycoon, you're a global mogul building hotel and industrial empires from Sydney to New York. The game blends economic strategy with a race-like tension: you must spread hotels across nine cities, but only the top two players in each location score. Factories provide extra bonuses but are limited — you'll need to act fast! Movement is strategic: purchase airline tickets (expensive direct flights or budget connecting routes) to navigate the board. Beware loans — they temporarily remove you from the game and cost dearly to return. Each round brings new hotels to build, but older ones get replaced, so timing is everything. Three major scoring rounds determine the winner: whoever balances aggressive expansion with financial management best becomes the world's ultimate tycoon!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 OK
3 BEST
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Publisher Jumbo
Designer Horst-Rainer Rösner, Wolfgang Kramer

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,148owners
73wishlist
24want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Best player count?
3-4 players ideal. At 2, it feels more like an economic puzzle.
Playtime?
About 90 minutes — the three scoring phases pace the game well.
Is it complex?
Medium weight (BGG 2.6/5). Movement rules and hotel replacement need focus.
Luck-dependent?
Almost none. Pure strategy in ticket purchases and positioning.
Good replay value?
Yes! Cities are fixed, but majority battles create fresh dynamics each game.

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