The steady trickle of information about Roxley’s follow-up to megahit game Brass: Birmingham continues this week with two mechanics reveals, Heavy Locomotives and Integrated Commodity Markets:
Heavy Locomotives
Unlike traditional Brass games, Heavy Locomotives are a permanent addition to your industrial empire. You start with 2 locomotives and can unlock more on your player board throughout the game. These powerful engines are never removed during the rail era transition, making them a lasting investment. Each Heavy Locomotive provides a special bonus when built, representing the massive advantage that superior rail technology provided during the Gilded Age.
Having a permanent piece on the board that remains even with an era change may be the secret wish of every Brass:Birmingham player. It will be interesting to see how that plays.
Integrated Commodity Markets
One of the most praised innovations by playtesters is the integration of commodity markets directly into the board. Unlike Birmingham and Lancashire, where commodities can move without network connections, all commodities in Brass: Pittsburgh must travel via established rail links. If you want to buy from a market, you must be connected by rail. But you can also pay the exorbitant “Vanderbilt price” to purchase any commodity at any time, even without a rail connection, giving players a usually undesirable but always available backup plan. This represents Cornelius Vanderbilt’s stranglehold on commerce in the region. His rail empire connected markets and enabled commerce on an unprecedented scale, and he held the title of richest man in the world from the 1850s until his death in 1877.
Assuming Pittsburgh retains the debt mechanics of Birmingham, the “Vanderbilt price” seems like it will be everyone’s favorite new way to abuse their credit in the game. Being able to purchase any commodity at any time is just too tempting.
What’s next?
Expect another reveal next week, and every week leading into the crowdfunding launch! In the meantime, sign up on the Gamefound page and join the conversation!
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