In a metal-riveted palace, covered in a heavy layer of coal dust, lies the Steam Court. Steam Court is 1–12 player card game with elements of traditional trick taking, character-based abilities, and victory point and party win-conditions.
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Tasked with the upkeep of the courts mechanical devices, players try to catch the eye of the Queen by displaying their mechanical prowess. A game involves four hands of numbered gear cards and takes 45–60 minutes. Players try to take tricks and be the first to play all their cards. The Queen rewards such displays of skill by snatching up the most successful Engineer as her own. Can you engineer your way into the Queen’s good graces and come out on top of the social ladder? Or will you be stuck assisting the Tea Boy and suffering his incessant whining?
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TRICK TAKING
Steam Court is a ladder trick-taking game, that plays over four rounds of cards (Quarters). Each Quarter, players rotate seats (and privileges) based on who managed to play all of their cards first. VICTORY POINTS Each time a player plays all of his cards he garners a numbered gear token. At the end of the Victory Point version of the game, the player with the most points on his gear tokens wins! |
CHARACTER ABILITIES
Each Courtier grants his engineer a special privilege (well, if you can call having to shuffle, deal and give away your best cards the Tea Boys "privileges")... PARTY PLAY We've designed a rule variant which allows players to come and go each Quarter. If you are looking for a casual experience then determine a number of Quarters and whoever is engineer to the Queen at the end, wins! |
Kickstarter Promo Video |
Dramatic How-To-Play |
Steam Court Review |
Rules of play
Download a pdf copy of the rules by clicking the button below.
What others have said about Steam Court
Melissa Johnson (Cruise Con): "I really liked it! It had a good heart-beat factor. I think it's a great tight little game."
Roy Cannaday (Epic Gaming Night): "I really liked the artwork and how everything fits together."
Stephen Avery (Ameritrash King): "I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun!"
Stephanie Straw (On Board Games): "This is the type of game that wins the Spiel des Jarhres. Simple, elegant, with fun personalities all packaged in an easy-to-grok format."
Isaac Shalev (On Board Games): "From the twists and refinements, to the beautiful art, Steam Court is a big winner."
Richard Launius (game designer): "Of course I remember it! I had a great time playing it with you all at Origins!"
Eduardo Baraf (Edo's Game Reviews): "It's fun, fast and easy to learn. I think the powers and bits all add to it! And the Steampunk theme, I dig!"
Jonathan Gilmoure (game designer): "Would be even better if it had a catch-the-leader mechanic" (Note: done!)
John Coveyou (game designer): It's gorgeous. Everything you guys do looks good!"
Roy Cannaday (Epic Gaming Night): "I really liked the artwork and how everything fits together."
Stephen Avery (Ameritrash King): "I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun!"
Stephanie Straw (On Board Games): "This is the type of game that wins the Spiel des Jarhres. Simple, elegant, with fun personalities all packaged in an easy-to-grok format."
Isaac Shalev (On Board Games): "From the twists and refinements, to the beautiful art, Steam Court is a big winner."
Richard Launius (game designer): "Of course I remember it! I had a great time playing it with you all at Origins!"
Eduardo Baraf (Edo's Game Reviews): "It's fun, fast and easy to learn. I think the powers and bits all add to it! And the Steampunk theme, I dig!"
Jonathan Gilmoure (game designer): "Would be even better if it had a catch-the-leader mechanic" (Note: done!)
John Coveyou (game designer): It's gorgeous. Everything you guys do looks good!"
