Power Grid

Power Grid is an economic strategy board game designed by Friedemann Friese, published in English by Rio Grande Games as an updated version of his earlier German game Funkenschlag. Two to six players each run a power company that bids at auction for power plants burning coal, oil, garbage, uranium or renewable resources, then builds transmission networks connecting cities and buys fuel to keep those cities supplied with electricity each round. Victory goes to whoever powers the greatest number of connected cities once the endgame is triggered, and turn order for auctions and purchasing is continually adjusted so that players who are behind get first pick, keeping the field close for most of a game that typically runs two hours or more. First released in 2004, it is widely regarded as a benchmark title in modern economic strategy board gaming, praised for having almost no luck and instead rewarding careful long-term planning.