
- BGG rating
- 7.5
The Ogre Book
- 1–8 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 1982

1978
Rules assistance for G.E.V.
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.
G.E.V. is a board game released in 1978 for 1–2 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Variable Set-up, and Grid Movement.
Microgame #8 in the Metagaming Microgames series, the original release of G.E.V. A follow-up to Ogre. Units from Ogre are carried over, with expanded rules for terrain. A larger map and more ambitious game. Second base game of the Game: Ogre / G.E.V.. Note: Ogre and G.E.V. were later reissued separately and then repackaged together as Ogre / G.E.V. by Steve Jackson Games. The Steve Jackson GEV edition has a different countermix to the original editions.
G.E.V. supports 1–2 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 G.E.V. is 60–90 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 G.E.V. for ages 12 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.
G.E.V. has a complexity rating of 2.3 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.
G.E.V. belongs to these categories: Wargame and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Variable Set-up, and Grid 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 G.E.V. are: Steve Jackson (I). 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 G.E.V. 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.