I get Catan as low-hanging fruit, but I think a miss on your list - somewhere between Catan and Power Grid - there should be Wealth of Nations. Wealth of Nations covers some of the economic principles from these other games, but in addition to things like trade negotiation and supply/demand, it also teaches economies of scale and automation. And the resources the players produce and trade are abstracted aspects of an economy itself: food, labor, capital, energy and ore. Some honorable mentions from my play history would include Tesla vs. Edison, which is primarily a stock game but instead of a pickup/deliver rail game, it's a historical Euro with a Power Grid-style map. With the Powering Up expansion, I would even suggest it as a swap for Power Grid. Also, City of the Big Shoulders combines the historical-industrial worker placement of Arkwright with the stock and cash systems of an 18xx-style rail game. This is probably my favorite game that I don't own.
Thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t played any of those ones. You are right that Wealth of Nations (and its Adam Smith reference) would fit really well in this category. I just didn’t know it existed until you brought it up, so thanks! I’ll be checking that one out for sure, and I want to try those other ones you suggested as well.
@@LakesideGamers5 they might be a harder find than the ones you mentioned. Wealth came out about 15 years ago and the publishing company shrank considerably with the recession. With that said, they'd like to try and get a reprint off the ground at some point, or get it onto Board Game Arena. Similarly, Big Shoulders some through a comparatively small printing after getting a lot of buzz upon release. There is talk of crowdfunding a second edition of this also. A similar story with Tesla v Edison. Artana was scooped up by Genius Games about five years ago, and have sold through their current printing. I don't know what their future plans are. The other qualifier is that this is two different games playing with and without the expansion. With Powering Up, it's a tight Euro with faction powers. Base game only it's like 95% a stock game and very cutthroat.
Panam the boardgame is a great on too and stockpile
That's a very interesting idea. I wish we had classes that used these sorts of explanations when I was in High school.
Me too. :). Which is why I try to integrate games and simulation to my classes whenever I can.
Good idea
I get Catan as low-hanging fruit, but I think a miss on your list - somewhere between Catan and Power Grid - there should be Wealth of Nations.
Wealth of Nations covers some of the economic principles from these other games, but in addition to things like trade negotiation and supply/demand, it also teaches economies of scale and automation. And the resources the players produce and trade are abstracted aspects of an economy itself: food, labor, capital, energy and ore.
Some honorable mentions from my play history would include Tesla vs. Edison, which is primarily a stock game but instead of a pickup/deliver rail game, it's a historical Euro with a Power Grid-style map. With the Powering Up expansion, I would even suggest it as a swap for Power Grid.
Also, City of the Big Shoulders combines the historical-industrial worker placement of Arkwright with the stock and cash systems of an 18xx-style rail game. This is probably my favorite game that I don't own.
Thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t played any of those ones. You are right that Wealth of Nations (and its Adam Smith reference) would fit really well in this category. I just didn’t know it existed until you brought it up, so thanks! I’ll be checking that one out for sure, and I want to try those other ones you suggested as well.
@@LakesideGamers5 they might be a harder find than the ones you mentioned. Wealth came out about 15 years ago and the publishing company shrank considerably with the recession. With that said, they'd like to try and get a reprint off the ground at some point, or get it onto Board Game Arena.
Similarly, Big Shoulders some through a comparatively small printing after getting a lot of buzz upon release. There is talk of crowdfunding a second edition of this also.
A similar story with Tesla v Edison. Artana was scooped up by Genius Games about five years ago, and have sold through their current printing. I don't know what their future plans are. The other qualifier is that this is two different games playing with and without the expansion. With Powering Up, it's a tight Euro with faction powers. Base game only it's like 95% a stock game and very cutthroat.