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- BGG #11,633
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Expedition to 5X
- 3–5 players
- 25–35 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
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- BGG #31,195
- BGG rating
- 2.1
Time Control
2003
Rules assistance for Time Control
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 45 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Time Control
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Time Control is a board game released in 2003 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Anthony Thompson and Rob Arnow and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Auction / Bidding, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
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About the game
Boxed board game for 2-4 players, recommended Ages 12 and up. Each player controls 12 Time Agents and a Timeline (board). Agents are sent into the "past" from "today" to combat enemy agents and to alter history. Altering history creates time waves that travel to "today" and create problems. Players who accumulate too many of the wrong sorts of problems lose. Players may get rid of problems by discarding agents or time control points, or may attempt to create "solve problem" waves. All players play simultaneously; players may interrupt one another if desired, canceling an announced action. Players may "take time control" and become un-interruptible. Taking time control may be contested by another player; if so, a duel ensues, a blind bid using time control points, which are discarded after the duel. Agent vs. agent conflict is resolved the same way; the results of an agent vs. agent conflict are resolved with blind draws from the Fate deck.
Editions
- Time ControlenTHOMPSON Industries2003
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- THOMPSON Industries
Questions and answers
Time Control 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 Time Control 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 Time Control 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.
Time Control 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.
Time Control belongs to these categories: Real-time and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Auction / Bidding, and Simultaneous Action Selection. 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 Time Control are: Anthony Thompson and Rob Arnow. 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 Time Control 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.