1865: Sardinia

1865 Sardinia is a board game belonging to the 18xx series for 2-4 players and set on the Sardinia island (and Corsica).

Players play the role of 19th century entrepreneurs investing in the construction as well as the financial and operational management of railways. Selling and buying shares on the stock market, seeking new sources of funding, laying track and placing stations, running trains and paying dividends are all basic elements of 18xx games.

In addition, 1865 Sardinia has several features that make it different from other 18xx titles. The most important distinctions are:

a traffic based system that makes calculating company's revenues easier and faster

foreign investors (Dragons) trade in certificates in addition to human players

an absorption mechanism that allows companies to acquire each other

Other interesting points:

before phase 5, all companies start as minor companies with 40%/20%/20%/20% shares

converting a company from minor to major requires a direct route from a company base to a historical destination city

private companies become 2 trains when transferred to a company and also provide extra traffic

buying trains from bank makes the share price jump up

the last 2, 3, and 4 train comes with a discount