- BGG rank
- BGG #882
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Arkwright
- 1–4 players
- 120–240 min
- Complexity 4.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,972
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Big Boss
1994
Rules assistance for Big Boss
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Big Boss
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Big Boss is a board game released in 1994 for 2–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Wolfgang Kramer and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Tile Placement, and Commodity Speculation.
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About the game
Big Boss is a game of founding companies, expanding existing companies, taking over smaller companies and share buying. The game is explicitly based on the Sid Sackson classic Acquire and shares many similarities to that game though mergers are not as prevalent or crucial in Big Boss. The main differences between the two games include the three dimensional aspect of Big Boss, and the existence of a strong monetary incentive to expand companies that you do not control.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- KOSMOS
- Funko Games
Questions and answers
Big Boss supports 2–6 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 Big Boss is 90 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 Big Boss for ages 10 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.
Big Boss has a complexity rating of 2.4 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.
Big Boss belongs to these categories: Economic, Territory Building, and Industry / Manufacturing. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Tile Placement, and Commodity Speculation. 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 Big Boss are: Wolfgang Kramer. 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 Big Boss 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.