City of the Great Machine is a strategy game set in a grim universe of technocratic Victorian steampunk. The game features the conflict between the Great Machine, an artificial intelligence network, and an alliance of Heroes. The Great Machine is either controlled by a player or is automated, which completely changes the gameplay.

The Great Machine controls the City built on mobile platforms in the sky. As the Great Machine, the player (or game AI) commands a force of perfected Servants and mechanical Guards. The Great Machine's ultimate goal is to suppress social unrest and complete its grandiose Master Plan to perfect the mankind.

The other players are Heroes working together against the Great Machine to start a revolution. They encourage discontent in the City, enlist the support of famous citizens, and inflame riots. They also attempt to prevent the Great Machine from completing the Master Plan, as it leads to the enslavement of the mankind.

Game features:

City of the Great Machine may be played as One-vs-Many (2-4 players) or cooperatively/solo (1-3 players).
Modular board allows for infinite City layouts. The players may reposition the City Districts during the game.
Hidden movement. Each round, the Heroes secretly choose the Districts they will go to.
Resource management. Both sides of the conflict have multiple actions to take and pay for them in Trust (Heroes) or Bonds (the Great Machine). The same is true for movement and other tasks.
Asymmetric gameplay and unique victory conditions. The Heroes need 3 Riots to win, while the Great Machine strives to complete the Master Plan.
Secrecy. The Heroes need to conceal their plans from the Great Machine, however, they may discuss their intentions only in the presence of the Great Machine.

CONTENTS

S&C = Components used in Solo & Cooperative games only.
The City:

1 Progress Board
30 Famous Citizen tokens
20 City Event cards
1 'The Countdown' card
Trust & Bond tokens: 1s — 24, 4s — 12
9 District tokens (S&C)
Wooden Progress marker (S&C)
17 City Event cards (S&C)

The Heroes:

6 Hero plastic miniatures
6 Hero sheets
54 Access cards (9 per Hero)
1 Assault die
1 Escape die
3 Riot tokens
12 Mission cards (S&C)
11 Mission tokens (S&C)
3 Hero Mission tokens (S&C)
6 Hero Reference cards
3 Hero Reference cards (S&C)

The Great Machine:

3 Servant plastic miniatures
18 wooden Guard figures
3 Servant Order tokens
3 Raid tokens
9 Directive cards
9 wooden special Guards (S&C)
9 Directive cards (S&C)
13 Servant Movement cards (S&C)
3 Servant Action cards (S&C)
2 The Great Machine Reference cards

Rules & Reference:

Game Rules
Reference Guide (also contains Solo & Cooperative rules)

1 to 4 Players
60 to 90 Min Playing Time
Age: 14+

It may not be possible to ship very heavy items outside of the Mainland UK.
Released: 04 April 2023