Recap Newsletter

Welcome to the Journey

 

Thank you for coming to learn more about Colonize: The New World, a brand new strategy tabletop game set during the colonial era.

If you’re just joining us, here are a few helpful links to get up to speed:

 

👉 Visit the official website for an overview of the game.

👉 Learn more about the creation of the game here.

👉 Game Reviews, Strategy & What’s Next 🔍

👉 Answering Your Questions 📜

👉 A First Look at Gameplay 🗺️

Now, let’s dive into some of the most common questions we’ve received:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What sets this game apart from others on the market?

While Colonize: The New World includes some familiar mechanics, it offers a scope and depth rarely seen in tabletop strategy games. Here’s what makes it stand out:

 

• Comprehensive Timeline: Covers the entire colonial era, from the arrival of European settlers to the Revolutionary War—far beyond what most games attempt.
• Balanced Systems: Seamlessly combines economic strategy, land and sea combat, colony-building, and diplomacy into one cohesive experience.
• Unique Independence Mechanic: Includes a dedicated phase where players can declare independence and face off against the King’s forces.
• Dynamic Replayability: With open-ended strategies and player-driven choices, no two games play out the same.
• Unique Map Design: Built around a hand-drawn, custom-designed map created specifically for gameplay.

 

Altogether, it’s a richly layered game that offers a full scope of historical themes, strategic depth, and player agency in one package—something few, if any, tabletop games attempt.

Q: How many players can play?

The game is designed for up to 4 players. A fifth player can optionally take on the role of the King during the Revolutionary War phase, though the King can also function as a non-playable character (NPC). While the game wasn’t specifically designed or tested for solo play, it is possible to play on your own with a few simple rule adjustments.

 

Q: Is there a review of the game available?

Absolutely! Check out this early review from TableTopVibe for a closer look at gameplay, strategy, and what makes Colonize: The New World unique.

 

Q: How long does the game take to play?

Once players are familiar with the rules, a full game typically takes under 3 hours to complete. The TableTopVibe review estimated a playtime of 90–120 minutes. Your first session may run a bit longer as you get used to the mechanics, but turns move quickly once everyone finds their rhythm.

Q: I really love these kinds of games. When does it come out?

It’s great to hear you love these kinds of games! June 1st is the start of our Kickstarter—we’d love to see you there!

 

Q: Can I have a basic breakdown of gameplay?

 

Yes! While the game might seem complex at first, it becomes much more intuitive after a few rounds. Each turn is divided into five phases, but for much of the game, you’ll only use four. The first and last phases are completed simultaneously by all players, keeping the pace moving quickly.

 

Let’s walk through what a typical turn looks like in Colonize: The New World.

Phase 1: Upkeep

All players perform the following steps in

 

1. Set the Stage: Pass the start token and move the Sea Monster. While the Kraken isn’t real (as far as we know…), it was a real fear as ancient as recorded history. Players can battle this roaming Sea Monster to earn money and gain a powerful Founding Father card.
2. Negotiate Treaties: Strike alliances, broker trade deals, or make bold promises with other players. The treaty system is fully open-ended and player-driven—whether you double-cross rivals or channel your inner Benjamin Franklin with brilliant diplomacy is entirely up to you.
3. Obey the King: Roll to see if a King card is drawn. These can impose taxes, mandatory declarations of war, or even force you to loudly swear loyalty to His Majesty.
4. Indian Raid: If you’ve angered native populations by attacking or building on their land, they may retaliate. The higher your aggression level (from 0 to 5), the more likely a raid becomes.

 

Phase 2: Movement

Players take turns moving their units based on Movement Points (MP). Each unit type has its own movement rules and limitations.

 

Phase 3: Action

Each unit may take one action during this phase. Actions include:

 

• Attack: Battle other players or Indigenous forces (by land)
• Trade with Indians
• Besiege: Launch an attack on an enemy colony (by sea)
• Build Colony: Establish a new colony in an unoccupied area
• Grow Colony: Expand an existing colony
• Generate Colonist: Recruit additional colonists to bolster your population
• Declare Independence: End your Action Phase and trigger your War of Independence from the King (Phase 4)

 

Phase 4: Independence Phase

This phase only occurs if a player declares independence. The detailed steps and mechanics for this phase will be covered in a future newsletter.

 

Phase 5: End of Turn

All players perform the following steps in order: 

 

1. Receive Building Resources: Collect resources from your colonies and buildings.
2. Generate Liberty Bells: Produce Liberty Bells to advance the cause of independence.
3. Construct Buildings: Build new structures within your colonies, if building resources allow.
4. King’s Market: Buy and sell according to the King’s rules—or, if you’ve built the right infrastructure, from your own colonies.
5. Other Players/Indians: Resolve any interactions with other players or Indigenous forces (e.g., if you agreed to pay another player $100, now’s the time).
6. Founding Father Cards: Draw and manage Founding Father cards to gain powerful strategic advantages.

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A Note on Flow and Pace

Once players are familiar with the rules, Phase 1 (Upkeep) and Phase 5 (End of Turn) can be completed simultaneously to keep things moving quickly. Phases 2–4 follow turn order and must be completed one at a time.

 

After just a few turns, most players get the hang of the structure. To help keep things organized, each player uses an easy-to-follow laminated player sheet to track progress, actions, and colonies.

More to Explore

🗺️ Check out the game pieces and materials

📸 For more gameplay insight, check out our Instagram reel
🛍️ Want to support the game and grab some merch? Visit our shop

 

Visit our shop unless you to displease our generous King!

 

More updates (including a deep dive into the Revolutionary War phase) are on the way soon!
Thanks for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to bring Colonize: The New World to your table!