Editing How to Play the Game (section)

= How to Play ''Capitalism: The Ruthless Pursuit of Stuff'' =

'''Welcome to the grind.''' This is a 2–8 player board game (or digital party simulator) where each player takes on a persona, manipulates markets, buys influence, dodges scandals, and climbs to the top of the economic food chain.

== Objective ==
The goal is simple:
'''End the game with the highest Net Worth.'''

Net Worth = '''Cash + Assets + Favors – Scandals'''

== Game Length ==
* Default: '''5 Years''' (1 lap around the board per year)
* Each Year = 12 Turns (3 moves per quarter)

You can play for 3, 5, or 10 years depending on how ruthless your group is.

== Game Setup ==
# Choose a '''Banker''' (host and central figure – only one allowed)
# Each player chooses a '''Primary Role''' and a '''Secondary Role'''
# Give each player:
* $5,000,000 starting cash
* 3 Favor tokens
* 1 Player Dashboard (digital or printed)
# Shuffle all decks: Political, Event, Scandal, Industry
# Set People Meter to Level 0

== Turn Structure ==
Each player gets one turn per round. A round = 1 month. There are 12 rounds per year.

=== On Your Turn: ===
* Choose 1 action:
** Invest
** Upgrade Asset
** Draw Political Card
** Trade Favor
** Block Scandal
** Donate (lower People Meter)
* Draw an Event Card (optional)
* Lock in your move

Once all players lock in, the game server (or Banker) resolves the round events.

== The People Meter ==
A global scale (0–10) representing public unrest. It rises due to:
* Scandals
* Orange political cards
* Hoarding
* Bad PR

When it hits 10, a '''People Uprising''' is triggered:
* Assets frozen
* Scandals exposed
* Emergency taxes or charity

Lower it by playing blue cards or donating to public causes.

== Card Types ==
* '''Political Cards:''' Red, Blue, Orange – affect economy, people meter, or laws
* '''Scandal Cards:''' Triggered by risky plays or sabotage
* '''Event Cards:''' Random chaos—booms, crashes, personal drama
* '''Industry Cards:''' Buyable assets that boost your net worth
* '''Favor Cards:''' Used to bribe, block, or swing votes

== Victory Conditions ==
When the final year ends, all players calculate their net worth:

* Cash
* + Industry Assets
* + Favors Held
* – Scandal Penalties

The player with the highest total wins.  
In case of tie: Most Industries → Fewest Scandals → Coin Flip

== Optional Rules ==
* '''Era Mode:''' Begin in 1980s, 2000s, or 2020s for different starting conditions
* '''Faction Mode:''' Form teams with shared goals
* '''Secret Objectives:''' Draw hidden win conditions (e.g., Trigger Uprising, Win w/ 0 Scandals)
* '''The People NPC:''' A non-player force that can vote, disrupt, or reward players

== Tips for Ruthless Play ==
* Team up—but never trust anyone.
* Watch the People Meter. If it pops, you’re all toast.
* The Banker always has a slight edge. Exploit it—or overthrow him.
* Don’t hoard too early. Don’t charity too late.

== See Also ==
* [[Roles and Personas]]
* [[Card Index]]
* [[People Meter]]
* [[Dev Hub]]

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''Capitalism is a game. So is this.''