Game Details
Dive into to the intricacies of Pactopolis - How it plays, how to win, and how the spatial, negotiation, and resource puzzle comes together.
A new land.
A chance to build something extraordinary.
A new stretch of land lies waiting to become a thriving urban bliss.
The government has invited four sectors to shape its future — Real Estate, Manufacturing, Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture.
The opportunity is immense.
So are the stakes.
Four inter-dependent sectors,
Competing to sustain;
One land to develop,
Fragile systems to maintain.
Each sector has its own ambitions, resources and constraints. Yet no sector can thrive alone: each depends on the wellbeing of the other sectors to grow.
And every sector must account for the environmental cost of growth: damage must be counterbalanced, while development becomes increasingly costly and the consequences of failing to restore become more severe.
The Challenge
Can you find ways to grow?
Every sector wants to grow. But the land is shared and the best opportunities for one sector may lie in the hands of another. This is the start of the spatial puzzle.
Can you find what others want?
To get what you want, you must create value for others — trading plots, resources, money, construction, promises, influence, and help. Even sustainability efforts can depend on deals with other sectors.
Can you adapt your strategy?
One sector's choices and development reshape the opportunities — and the challenges — faced by the others and the environment.
Government actions and regulations can change the conditions again.
As conditions change, even the best laid plans may fall apart. Expect the unexpected, and be ready to adapt!
How to grow your sector?
Negotiate
Collaborate
Find and create value.
Identify leverage.
Help your rivals,
help yourself.
Compete
Adapt
Outthink. Outnegotiate. Outmaneuver.
Plan ahead.
Adapt constantly.
Sustain
Shape
Grow the city.
Protect its future.
Every decision has consequences.
How Pactopolis Plays
Pactopolis unfolds over 5 rounds, with familiar phases repeating each round as the changing variables shape your decisions.
1.
Allotment
Government allots X number of free plots to each sector.
2.
Auction
Government auctions Y number of plots.
Minimum bids increase each round.
3.
Negotiation
Sectors negotiate for anything except Negotiation Points. Negotiation is timed and the maximum negotiation time changes each round.
4.
Transform Land & Construct
Sectors modify their plots if needed.
They construct their developments following the terrain and adjacency constraints specific to them.
5.
Income - Resources
Sectors collect resources that their development-clusters produce.
6.
Income - Money
Sectors collect money that their development clusters produce.
7.
Government Action
Government takes a random action.
8.
Housekeeping
Sectors replant the any forests and/or recreate the any lakes. They pay any penalties and keep the promises they made.
Every round creates new opportunities, new constraints, and new reasons to negotiate.
The sector that collects most Victory points (the bulk of which is Negotiation Points) wins.
How to win in Pactopolis
01
Pursue Opportunities
Make the most of your plots. Spot opportunities created by others' actions. Master the auctions.
02
Negotiate
Make deals to secure the plots, resources and opportunities you need. Help others to help yourself.
03
Transform and Build
Develop the land and grow your sector. Transform the land when your sector requires it for construction.
04
Sustain
Sustain your business. Restore what you damage. Negotiate protection.
05
Expect Change
Rivals act. Government intervenes. The city changes.
06
Reassess & Adapt
Change course, pursue new opportunities and negotiate again. Adapt your plans to the change.
There is one winner.
But not every victory leaves the same city behind.
Play your first game without City Health. Add it later for an extra layer of strategic challenge.
Can you build a healthier city each time you play?