Stephens (engl.)

Description

Stephens (engl.) is a strategy game for 1 to 4 players aged 12+ with a playing time of 60 to 120 minutes. Players take on the role of master glassmakers in 18th century Portugal, developing their works, investing in businesses, and creating jobs while facing the advancing Napoleonic forces. The game features a unique action selection mechanism using cubes and disks.

In 1755, a devastating earthquake destroyed Lisbon and much of Portugal’s southern coast, creating an urgent need to rebuild the nation. This sparked a surge in demand for window glass, prompting British entrepreneur William Stephens to expand his business into Portugal by investing in the glass industry. In 1769, Stephens acquired the glass factory in Marinha Grande, a small town nestled in a centuries-old pine forest planted on sandy soil. Supported by the Marquis of Pombal and protected by King José I, the factory grew to rival Europe’s largest glass producers and became a vital engine of regional and national development. William and his brother John recruited skilled glassmakers from England and Italy to work in Portugal. Combining their commercial expertise and strong civic values, the Stephens brothers established an unparalleled industry that provided healthcare, education, and cultural opportunities to their workers and families. Their pioneering spirit encouraged other Portuguese industrialists to open new factories, generating jobs and introducing valuable resources. Even during the harsh Napoleonic invasions, the town endured and, buoyed by the Royal Glass Factory, reclaimed its status as a major industrial center—a legacy that continues today. In Stephens, you assume the role of a master glassmaker at the renowned Stephens factory, striving to become the town’s most prestigious figure—second only to William Stephens himself. Through strategic planning, you develop your enterprises, invest in local businesses, and promote job creation. On your turn, you choose a single action using a unique selection mechanic:

• Take a single cube from a factory
• Or take a single disk from your player board

As you and fellow glassmasters cultivate your fortunes, the French army advances toward the town. The game progresses through consecutive rounds until the arrival of the Napoleonic forces.

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