
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,128
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Gangsters: The Game of Disorganized Crime
- 2–6 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 1984

1983
Rules assistance for File 13
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
File 13 is a board game released in 1983 for 1–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Tom Wham and its main mechanics are Take That, Roll / Spin and Move, and Area Movement.
File 13 traces the life of various game inventions as they wind their way through the paths and pitfalls (or is that piths and pratfalls?) of corporate intelligence. You'll discover that it's a long, hard road from the author's brain to the top of the best-seller list. Originally published in issue #72 of Dragon Magazine, April 1983. Errata, clarifications, and new rules published in Dragon #73. Republished as part of a boxed set: The Best of Dragon Magazine Games in 1990.
File 13 supports 1–4 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 File 13 is 30 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 File 13 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.
File 13 has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
File 13 belongs to these categories: Humor and Economic. Its main mechanics are Take That, Roll / Spin and Move, and Area Movement. 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 File 13 are: Tom Wham. 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 File 13 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.