Die Macher
- Players
- 3-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 240 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 4.3 / 5
- Year
- 1986
About the game
Die Macher is a heavyweight political simulation that takes players through seven sequential elections across regions of Germany. Each player leads a national party, allocating limited resources, media influence, and party platform to win regional races. Victory points flow from four different sources, including regional wins, media control, party membership growth, and matching the national mood. With multiple editions supporting three to five players, it remains one of the most respected long-form political strategy games ever designed.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli considers Die Macher a landmark heavy Euro that rewards patient, calculating players willing to commit a full evening to it. The negotiation and auction layers create genuine political tension, though the four-hour runtime and steep learning curve mean it's best reserved for a dedicated group that already loves complex strategy games.
What we like
- Offers multiple distinct paths to victory through elections, media, and membership.
- Rich negotiation and auction mechanics create deep player interaction.
- Regional variety keeps each of the seven elections feeling distinct.
- Widely regarded as one of the most influential political strategy games ever made.
Keep in mind
- The four-hour playtime demands a serious time commitment.
- High complexity and rules overhead can overwhelm newer gamers.
- Downtime between turns can be significant with a full player count.
Who it's for
Experienced strategy gamers and political-simulation enthusiasts who can commit a full evening (3-5 players, ages 14+) will get the most out of this deep, negotiation-heavy design.
