- BGG rank
- BGG #2,737
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Illuminati
- 2–6 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 1987
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,551
- BGG rating
- 6.1
INWO SubGenius
1998
Rules assistance for INWO SubGenius
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.7/5
Rules assistant for INWO SubGenius
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
INWO SubGenius is a board game released in 1998 for 2–4 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and Lynette R. F. Cowper and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers.
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About the game
The object of INWO is to control the world. You start with a single "Church of the SubGenius" card, representing your own faction of the Church. During the game, you take over other Group cards. They are added to your Power Structure as your puppets - unless a rival takes them from you. You can use Plot cards to advance your own position or harass your opponents. You may win by controlling enough groups, or by fulfilling the special goal of your own Illuminati, or by meeting the objectives on a Goal card, or, of course, by crushing all of your rivals! Thus, you prove that YOU are the True Church, and the others are deluded posers. This is not a collectible card game. It is a stand-alone game that may be added to INWO or vice versa.
Categories
Mechanics
Publishers
- Steve Jackson Games
Questions and answers
INWO SubGenius supports 2–4 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 INWO SubGenius 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 INWO SubGenius 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.
INWO SubGenius has a complexity rating of 2.7 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.
INWO SubGenius belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Political. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers. 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 INWO SubGenius are: Steve Jackson (I) and Lynette R. F. Cowper. 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 INWO SubGenius 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.