
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,585
- BGG rating
- 5.5
Stranded
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 1981
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1994
Rules assistance for Ransom
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players
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What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ransom is a board game released in 1994 for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Philip O'Neill and its main mechanics are Trading, Auction / Bidding, and Memory.
This game comes inside what looks like a video tape case, which is definitely odd for a board game. Inside the package are cards for properties on Manhattan island, workers, building materials, and building contracts. Each turn, players turn over a card and either purchase it outright or auction it to the group. But when the contracts get bought, players will need to negotiate a deal, because it's very difficult to build a decent sized building on your own. The deal making is vicious and cutthroat, ergo the name. The 1995 edition features rules in English, Japanese, German, Spanish and French (see the Tidwell review).
Ransom 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 Ransom is 45 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 Ransom 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.
Ransom has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Ransom belongs to these categories: Economic, Abstract Strategy, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Trading, Auction / Bidding, and Memory. 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 Ransom are: Philip O'Neill. 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 Ransom 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.