Fantasy Flight Games’ partnership with Dust Games will soon expand to include distribution of Magnifico:  DaVinci’s Art of War. The game saw some distribution in the US through Asmodee in 2008, but never reached the level of popularity that it enjoyed in Europe.  It will be available from Fantasy Flight for the first time in January.  It is worth noting, however, that this is not a new edition of the game, but rather a new avenue of distribution for an existing title.

Magnifico is a wargame of conquest in Europe during the 16th century, but with a unique twist:  it begins with the assumption that the fantastic inventions of Leonardo DaVinci are both functional and available to the military machines of the great powers.  Mass-produced flying machines and armored war engines fight side-by-side with more familiar armies of the period.  Victory on the battlefield is not the sole focus of the game, however; players also compete to acquire valuable works of art and construct people-pleasing inventions and projects to ensure the happiness and prosperity of their people.

The game is packaged in a very large box, and is supplied with over 450 plastic playing pieces, custom dice, and game cards.  Magnifico was designed by Spartaco Albertarelli and Angelo Zucca.

Magnifico:  DaVinci’s Art of War is for three to five players.  The suggested retail price is $59.95.  The stock number is DU03.