Contributing to the construction
was the architect Lanfranco and the sculptor Wiligelmo
and, later, the Campionesi Magisters. In 1997, Modena
Cathedral was declared a World
Heritage site.1099: DOMUS CLARI GEMINIANI (Edicta Edizioni, 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, about 30 minutes; 12 Euros)
In the year 1099, construction started on
the Modena Cathedral, the new home for Saint Geminianus, archbishop and patron
saint of the town. Contributing to the construction
was the architect Lanfranco and the sculptor Wiligelmo
and, later, the Campionesi Magisters. In 1997, Modena
Cathedral was declared a World
Heritage site.
It was back in 2007 when Comune di Modena asked me
for some help in devising a card
game about the construction of the Modena Cathedral. My idea was to call for
an international competition. That call was answered as we
received more than 20 prototypes
from all around the world. After some deliberation, we finally chose
1099: Domus Clari Geminiani from Francesco
Berardi. The game was unveiled during PLAY 2008 and
finally, after 2 years of development, was published and presented during PLAY 2010.
In 1099: Domus Clari
Geminiani, two to five players compete
to contribute the most to the Cathedral construction. During the game, they use
architects and operari (workers) to build up the cathedral,
gaining points in these two fields. It is important to contribute almost equally
to both since a player's final score will be the
LOWER of the two scores. In the middle
of the game, the Saint Geminianus relics are moved
into the new cathedral; contributing to
that could give extra points.
The game has
two decks: the workers deck
comprised of sculptores (sculptors), operari
(workers), miles (soldiers), civites
(citizens) and character cards and the
components deck
where you will find architecturals, sculptures and the
three relics.
For a bit of atmosphere, the architectural,
sculpture and relic cards also include some text written by an expert in Modena
history describing each particular piece. The
components deck is divided in
two with the
three relics cards in the middle.
During each turn, there will be six workers and four components on display on
the table.
Players can take two actions on a turn. Possible actions include
taking a worker card, building a component or hiring a special character.
Usually, you place the worker cards you choose
in front you (a maximum of six) but
some special cards need to be held in hand. To build a
component, you need the exact amount of operari or
sculptores. To build one of the
three relics you need the exact amount of cives and
milites.
Most worker cards can be used in two
ways (as sculpotres/operari or miles/civites/characters) giving the players
several possibilities. Hiring one of the
three special characters gives you a
special bonus in operari or sculpotres. You can hire only one character at
a time
and you can steal a character hired by another player.
In general, the game is a matter of getting the
best worker cards to get one of the
four components cards
while looking
at what other
players are collecting. You have to
be wise
in developing both architecturals and
sculptures. The three relics are quite expensive (miles and civites cards are few)
but give you a lot of points, helpful as you can add them to the category
in which you are
getting fewer points.
It should be noted that the game was published in Italy so the rules are in Italian. However, there has been interest in the game from US publishers so English language rules may be available as well. (The game, and further information about English rules, can be obtained by contacting walter.martinelli@comune.modena.it )
1099: Domus Clari Geminiani is a quick and easy card game, not geared for the "refined taste" of hardcore gamers but, rather, a nice family game. I think it also serves as a excellent model to show how real gamers' experiences can mesh with the needs of institutions to produce a game that can be both a good game on its own merits and a nice promotional item for the institution itself. - - Andrea "Liga" Ligabue