PRINCIPES (2025)

Overview

In the year 1202, the Kingdom of Poland has been divided for 64 years. The passing of the respected Senior-Prince, Mesco the Old, marks the end of an era of relative peace, and with his death, the fragile order that held the kingdom together collapses. By the 13th century, Poland is fragmented into four Principalities, each ruled by a different branch of the Piast dynasty. Players take on the role of leaders in this fractured kingdom, each vying for control of their territory and striving to see one of their Princes crowned. To achieve this, they must develop and expand their lands, wage wars, and form strategic alliances with neighboring factions. Only the most cunning and persistent will rise to power and claim victory. The game unfolds over six rounds, divided into three distinct periods. Each round begins with the reveal of a History Card, which introduces events such as the appearance of the Teutonic Knights or Mongol invasions, shaping the course of the game. Central to the gameplay is the secret programming of three actions from a selection of six: Progress, Taxes, Assembly, Movement, Building, and Politics. Players will aim to advance on three key tracks—the Track of Power, the Support of the People, and the Clergy—climbing to the highest positions in each. Once a player has achieved dominance on all three tracks, they can crown their prince, immediately ending the game and securing a glorious victory. *The game is being developed with support from a scholarship provided by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of Poland, offering a deep dive into this pivotal, chaotic, and transformative period of Polish history. It tells the story of the great disruption, followed by the eventual rebirth of the Kingdom, with players taking on the role of architects of the nation's future.*