Now on Kickstarter - Mare Nostrum: Empires

Mare Nostrum: Empires from Academy Games and Asyncron is a new version of Mare Nostrum a 2003 empire-building game both designed by Serge Laget. With updated rules, components, board, and new ways to win it takes what was great in Mare Nostrum and improves on it. It is also currently blowing through stretch goals on Kickstarter and adding huge amounts of gameplay as it does.

Mare Nostrum is an empire-building game in which 3-5 players lead their individual ancient empires to dominion of Mare Nostrum. You grow the fame and glory of your empire by expanding your influence into new Provinces, then extending your Trade Caravans, building Markets, and founding new Cities and Temples. You can recruit Heroes and create Wonders to help your cause. But beware of your "friends" because they may look upon your gains with envy and greed... Mare Nostrum is a re-introduction by Academy Games and Asyncron of the original 2003 release with updated rules, counters, and map board. This edition includes many new components and multiple new ways to win!

There were a lot of changes to the original game made before the launch including two more victory conditions, another resource type, additional buildings, a revamped trade system, and custom battle dice to name a few. Also a lot of the stretch goals add game play like the Punic Wars rulebook that adds in two player support. A lot of these stretch goals will be combined into the Atlas Expansion that will be included free for a backers. Yes your pledge on Kickstarter will get you the new game and an expansion that will be separate at retail. The artwork has also been redone by the talented Jean-Marie Minguez. In the game players will start with an empire that has a unique bonus and try to expand by using resources to build markets, cities, caravans, etc.. They will  expand into adjacent provinces through influence or military might and acquire new heroes and and wonders. This will be paid for by taxing cities and collecting goods from caravans. Battles will be fought by Legions who will be able to travel the seas with the use of Triremes. As your empire grows it will move up three tracks: Trade, Culture, and Military and the leader in each will gain additional powers and benefits. As stated above Mare Nostrum: Empires is rapidly adding on stretch goals including component upgrades, new events and heros, small expansions, additional tracking boards, and 3D components for legion tokens, fortresses, and ships. It is also available in multiple languages including English, French, German, Polish, Italian, and Spanish. If this sounds like your kind of game or you are looking for a sub two hour civ type game then you need to check out the Kickstarter for Mare Nostrum: Empires.