- BGG rank
- BGG #892
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Diplomacy
- 2–7 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1959
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,310
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Africa 1880
1997
Rules assistance for Africa 1880
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Africa 1880
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Africa 1880 is a board game released in 1997 for 3–6 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Francis Pacherie and its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Area Movement, and Area Majority / Influence.
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About the game
Africa 1880 -- Relive the Colonial adventure with Africa 1880! Between 1880 and 1914 European nations fiercely raced to gain control of the Dark Continent. Each player represents a nation exploring and colonizing Africa. The success of their adventure, however, has more to do with intrigue in the luxurious parlors of the embassies than hacking away through the jungle. Negotiating alliances and declaring war are what change the face of the world!” Contains 22 resin-cast miniatures, 180 die-cut counters, one game board representing Africa, one rule book in English and French, and order sheets
Designers
Publishers
- Tilsit
- Truant Spiele
Questions and answers
Africa 1880 supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Africa 1880 is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Africa 1880 for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Africa 1880 has a complexity rating of 2.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Africa 1880 belongs to these categories: Wargame, Bluffing, and Exploration. Its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Area Movement, and Area Majority / Influence. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Africa 1880 are: Francis Pacherie. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Africa 1880 as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.