ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

18XX

Alright kiddo, let me explain 18xx to you like you're 5 years old!

Have you ever played Monopoly or any other board games with money and buying properties? Well, 18xx is a type of board game too, but it's different because instead of small properties or hotels, you buy and run train companies!

The game is set during a time where trains were the main mode of transportation and companies were racing to build railroads across the country. Each player in the game is a rich investor who wants to make a lot of money by owning and managing these train companies.

To start the game, you need to buy shares of a train company. These shares represent a part of the company and give you a say in how it operates. You can also buy and sell shares with other players to make more money.

Once you own a train company, you need to build tracks and stations to transport goods and passengers. You also need to make strategic decisions, like when to buy new trains, pay dividends to shareholders, or even merge with other companies.

The goal of the game is to have the most money at the end of the game, which is usually when there are no more trains to buy or track to build. It requires a lot of thinking, planning, and a bit of luck too!

In summary, 18xx is a board game where you buy and run train companies. You make money by building tracks, buying new trains, and making strategic decisions. The winner is the player who has the most money at the end of the game.