Imhotep
2-4 players | Ages 10+ | 40 minutes
Publisher: Kosmos, 2016
Artist: Miguel Coimbra, Michaela Kienle
In Imhotep, the players take on the roles of ancient Egyptian architects. Over six rounds, they try to transport their stone blocks to end up in the most valuable positions at five construction sites: pyramid, obelisk, chamber tomb, temple, and market. But a player can only choose one of three actions in a turn: excavate a new stone block from the quarry, load a block onto a ship, or move a ship to a construction site. From there, the massive stone blocks must be unloaded in order from bow to stern and placed on the sites in preset sequences. Depending on where the blocks end up, players earn different point values either immediately or at the end of the game.
I have always been fascinated by the mystery of the Giza pyramids, so I decided to make a game about building them! When I started out, it seemed very natural to have three phases to building: quarrying stones, transporting them, and then placing them. But as I developed the idea I realised that if you can only do one of these things on your turn, and players can share boats, then all sorts of fascinating interactions open up. I also decided to expand the game to be about four different monuments that score in different ways. It was great working with Kosmos on the final production, and I was so excited when Imhotep was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres. Going to Berlin for the ceremony and meeting so many great people in the industry is one of my favourite memories in gaming!
Awards
★ 2016 Spiel des Jahres Nominee
★ 2017 Toy Industry Association Game of the Year Nominee
★ 2017 Boardgames Australia Awards Best Australian Game Winner
★ 2016 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner
★ 2016 Toy Insider Holiday Toys Award
Also released
● Imhotep: A New Dynasty Expansion
● The Sun Ships Mini Expansion
● The Private Ships Mini Expansion
● The Pharaoh's Favors Mini Expansion
● The Stonemason's Wager Mini Expansion
Links
➚ Imhotep at Kosmos
➚ Imhotep at BoardGameGeek
➚ Play Imhotep online at Yucata