Kyoto

An uncomfortable truth

We find ourself in the year 1997. All humankind is in agreement about climate protection. All humankind? No! Unrelenting travelers-by-plane don’t stop to gad about in planes, unrelenting drivers to do not stop to cruise in their cards, unrelenting burger eaters don’t stop to consume meet, unrelenting whoevers do not stop with whatever ...

So, once again we are tasked with saving earth - of course, with pleasure. But what about our respective personal interests and those of the oil, agricultural, nuclear etc. lobbies that we secretly represent, which are nearer to our hearts or victory point purses than the future fate of the next generations. The two currencies in the game are money and cards: In the game, too, nobody likes to spend money, as the second-most cash wealth is rewarded with victory points. Anyhow, at least sums donated to general welfare can at least be partially recovered when the environment funds it sufficiently covered and you are entitled - as the chairperson of the current round - to take a reward from the funds. As regards to cards, each individual one is worth a victory point at the end of the game so that generosity hurts more here, unless you may suspect that a competing nation represents the interests of, for instance, the nuclear power lobby. In that case, it is clearly easier to get rid of your nuclear power cards in hand, as this loses the competitor victory points, too.  At that point, bribes can be a conceivable and - as to games mechanics - permitted aspect. In reality, however, this element is very seldom of use. The given time pressure of maximum 90 seconds per negotiation round increases the stress level considerably for all participants.

With those surprisingly simple means, our private world climate conference is very realistically simulated at the game and negotiation table, including the respective revealing egoisms. “Who wants to contribute to the protection of indigenous habitats? - Canada would be willing, but has already invested so much into the ozone layer, so why not China? - China would prefer to protect the Chinese instead of minorities - everything always ends up with the EU, okay, one million for the environment funds and a forfeit of electric radiant heaters; but something is still missing - If China contributes something after all, Canada would also provide an additional Million - Oh, too bad, time has run out; in the break in negotiation we must toast the extinction of tortoises - who needs tortoises?

They are crazy, those humans!

The game is most fun - subject to the necessary sarcasm - evolves when all speak with pseudo Russian, Chinese or French accent and act in the tradition of role playing. Bitter but true: If we fail (un)consciously, when the animal extinctions, earth warming and/or air pollution have become too lethal. In that case the fun ends prematurely and the country with the second-most victory points (!) wins. This result causes the supposed or hoped for end score to be thrillingly unpredictable, and in addition a „nice“ mix of shame, guilt and malicious joy is created at the same time.

In the alternative positive outcome, the twelve rounds can provoke a repetitive and somewhat long-winded flair. If that happens, you need to pay even mor attention to, on the one hand, donate enough for the common goal and, on the other hand, to keep enough money and cards for your personal goal because very often the respective final results are not very far apart.

In any case, the cardboard lectern - for the chairperson that changes in each round - is an eyecatcher; the playing cards have harmonious graphics that merit a second glance. Especially laudable about the components: no plastic, and small cardboard box to store cards and tokens.

Kyoto is a pseudo-cooperative, satiric-cynic negotiation and bluff game with cute components that fit the topic, suitable for all types of players from teen age up, but rather not recommended for tight-lipped and/or altruistic or sensitive minds.

Harald Schatzl

Players: 3-6

Age: 10+

Time: 30+

Designer: Sabine Harrer & Johannes Krenner

Artist: Christian Opperer

Publisher: Pegasus Spiele / Deep Print Games 2020

Web: www.pegasus.de, www.deep-print-games.com

Genre: Bluff, negotiation

Users: With friends

Version: de

Rules: de en

In-game text: yes

Comments:

My rating: 6

.. when we fail together, 5 if we “save” Earth

Chance (pink): 1

Tactic (turquoise): 2

Strategy (blue): 0

Creativity (dark blue): 0

Knowledge (yellow): 0

Memory (orange): 1

Communication (red): 3

Interaction (brown): 2

Dexterity (green): 0

Action (dark green): 0