MN 576 Network and route building games

Episode 576: Network or Route Building Games
Episode release date is April 30, 2025

Show Notes

This week we kick off our discussion of games that involve network building. The "network building mechanic" refers to the gameplay element where players construct and expand interconnected systems, often representing transportation, communication, and resource distribution. It's about establishing links and leveraging those connections for strategic advantage.

Some of the main concepts of network and route building include:

Connectivity:
The fundamental element of establishing links between nodes, such as locations, cities, or points of interest. These links from a network.

Expansion:
Players progressively expand their network, reaching new destinations and making further connections. Expansion is often tied to resource management, technology advancement, or through fulfilling objectives.

Strategic advantage:
A well-developed network provides: efficient resource movement, faster travel or delivery, control over locations, increased scoring opportunities, and influence over other game elements.

Player interdependence:
Networks can create interdependence between players, either through competition for resources and routes or through cooperative efforts.

Come join us at the game table where we are going to talk about networking games, and I bet it includes more than train games.

 

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Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• Clans of Caledonia

• Douglas

• Aqua: Biodiversity in the Oceans

• Andy

• That Escalated Quickly

Network or Route Building Games

• Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary

• Ticket to Ride: Europe - 15th Anniversary

• Ticket to Ride: London

• Ticket to Ride: New York

• Transamerica

• Tsuro

• Carcassonne

• Metro

• Street Car

• Fairy Trails

• Thurn and Taxes

• On Tour

• Iwari

• Web of Power

• Airlines Europe

• Terminus

• Revive

• Next Station: London, Tokyo, Paris

• Get on Board: Paris & Roma, New York and London

• Metorunner

• Brass Burmingham

• Hansa Teutonica: Big Box

• Nucleum

• Dice Hospital: ER - Emergency Roll

• Tokyo Highway

• Maglev Metro

 

Games not Mentioned

Douglas

• Smartphone

• Land vs Sea

• Catan

• Cloud City

Andy

• Railways of the World

• Near and Far

• Catan

• Kingdom Builder

• Android

• Catan: Junior

• Aeroplanes: Aviation Ascendant

Nathan

• Concordia Venus

• Maglev Metro

• Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

• Takenoko

• Catan

• Terra Nova

• Maharaja: The Game of Palaces Building in India

• Free Ride

• Wormholes

• Saboteur 2

• Dice Manor

• Sanora

• Globetrotting

• Tucana Builders

• The Settlers of the Stone Age

• Spy Connection

• Falconry