The Bard himself is the subject of a new board game releasing in Q4 from Ystari Games and Asmodee.

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In Shakespeare, the players compete to stage the performances of the great playwright’s most famous plays, by collecting a troupe of actors, building sets, and arranging costumes.  A closed bidding system is used to establish turn order each “day,” followed by an action selection mechanic by which players acquire the components needed for their own play.  After six days, the plays are performed and the game winner determined.  Variant play options are also included, as well as rules for a solo version.

The game includes a main board, 4 individual player boards, 73 tokens, 8 cards, 2 bags, 56 coins, 72 Stage Set elements, and 72 Costume elements.  Shakespeare is for 1 to 4 players, ages 13 and up, and takes about 20 minutes per player to play.  MSRP is $49.99.

Shakespeare joins a host of other Asmodee releases scheduled for next few months, including a number of new games and expansions for popular Asmodee titles (see “‘The Bloody Inn,’ ‘Raptor,’ ‘Timeline’ Board Game” and “‘Mafia de Cuba,’ ‘7 Wonders:  Duel,’ More”).