Intro | Board Zones | Strategies | Complete Instructions
The game is finally out of 'beta' as it were. We had created 30 prototypes that were out in the field being tested (new pictures of the actual game will be coming soon!). The picture below shows the game in it's demo state: matte laminated board that fits in the tube. When we have the game commercially produced it will be in a standard box with custom made players and equipment. This original game was produced in-house with the generous help of Century Printing in Squamish BC. The wooden bunks for Gypo Bucks and card holders were hand made by Shawn Saxton. Frank Rak made the stumpage setter spinners and machine blocks. The boxes are all beer flats. We love this original so much that we may offer it in future as a collectors item!
Game Intro: Between the 1930’s and late 80’s was the heyday of the Gypo
Logger. This was an era when a man, with very little or no formal education could get very rich in a short time , with a lot of backbreaking work, some good luck and with a highball crew working for him. Many more Gypo loggers also went broke in their ventures due to poor planning, unforeseen expenses, plain old ‘bad luck’ and a multitude of pitfalls which this game only touches the surface of. The term ‘Gypo’ refers to haywire or make do methods that are not necessarily proper – in other words lots of duct tape and haywire is holding everything together and you’re probably not using the right machine or tool anyways but you’re still getting the wood out. Outer Board vs. Inner Board: the outer board is where all the contractors and businesses are located and where a Gypo Logger tries to amass as many desired business titles and cash as possible while avoiding titles owned by other players and the pitfall spaces. The inner board is when you become a worker again; however, in this area you may still cause many impacts to the other Gypo Loggers on both the outer and inner boards. Only one die is used in the inner board and the track around the Marshall Yard goes in the opposite direction to the outer board. There are only two ‘EXIT’ spaces from the inner board and you must land exactly on the ‘EXIT’ to roll out on the next turn. Upon exiting the inner board you must pick up a ‘Mini–Dire’ or ‘Act of God/Major Licensee’ card.
Object of the Game & Winning Strategies: As every real Gypo Logger would say “the business is usually 90% headache and 110% hard work plus a chunk of bad weather but it sure is fun”. This game will probably reinforce and refrbelief. The object of the game is to have the highest total of assets (businesses, machines/equipment) and cash on the Score Sheet once tallied at the end of the game. To win at the Gypo Logging game here are a few points that may help – with a chunk of good luck of course!
Try to combine more than one of the Shop titles
Try to combine Jagger’s & Messo’s or the two small contractors, Silvie’s & Shakey’s.
If you can get the title to one of the timber rights then it ties together all phase contractors you own and the machines or equipment. This can be very profitable if even only a couple of phase titles are held.
Pay attention to the board to be sure not to miss someone landing on your titles or missing an opportunity to purchase machines or equipment.
Don’t miss opportunities to get and use the axe or wrench.
Keep your eyes open at all times – Gypo Loggers are known for trespassing, claim jumping, stealing and dishonest things too.
Drink only Lucky Logger Beer and lots of it (IF you are over 19 years old of course)! Enjoy.
