Welcome to the dazzling world of Penny Press! Strap yourself in for an exhilarating adventure that will test your wits and creativity. In this game, you will be stepping into the shoes of a newspaper magnate, making crucial decisions that shape the destiny of your publication. Get ready to immerse yourself in a thrilling journey of words, headlines, and breaking news!
Your objective in Penny Press is to become the most influential and renowned newspaper tycoon. You achieve this by skillfully managing your newspaper empire, publishing captivating articles, and captivating the hearts and minds of your readers.
Penny Press is played over several rounds, with each round representing a week. At the start of each round, you will receive a set number of story cards, which you will use to create your newspaper articles. These story cards come in various categories such as politics, sports, entertainment, and more.
Your task is to strategically select the story cards that best fit your publication’s focus and appeal to your target audience. Each story card has a different value, so choose wisely to maximize your newspaper’s impact.
In addition to the story cards, you will also have access to various resources that can boost your newspaper’s circulation, popularity, and overall influence in the game. These resources include hiring talented journalists, running promotional campaigns, and investing in cutting-edge technology.
The game is divided into two phases: Headline Phase and Publishing Phase. First, during the Headline Phase, you will create captivating headlines for your articles. The headlines should entice readers, making them eager to devour the stories inside your newspaper.
You will have the opportunity to use your creativity and wordplay skills to come up with attention-grabbing headlines. Remember, a great headline can make the difference between a front-page sensation and being buried in the back pages.
Once you have crafted your headlines, it’s time for the Publishing Phase. You will allocate your story cards strategically, deciding which articles go on the front page, and which stories take a backseat. Your decisions will determine the visibility and popularity of each article.
Be mindful of your target audience’s preferences and demographics. Tailor your newspaper to cater to their interests, ensuring maximum readership and influence.
Throughout the game, you will earn Victory Points (VPs) based on the popularity and impact of your newspaper. These VPs will determine your standing and progress in the game.
At the end of the game, the player with the highest VP total emerges as the victor, celebrated as the ultimate newspaper tycoon.
With its immersive gameplay and strategic decision-making, Penny Press offers an exhilarating experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Have you got what it takes to build a media empire, captivate readers, and make headlines? Step into the world of Penny Press and find out!
Hey there! Just imagine yourself transported back in time to the late 19th century. Penny Press brings alive the thrilling era of ‘yellow journalism’ where newspapers fought for supremacy in old New York City.
Now, you get to step into the shoes of newspaper giants like Pulitzer and Hearst. Your goal? To rise above the rest and become the ultimate newspaper baron!
Your journey begins by competing with other players to capture readers. How, you ask? Well, you’ll need to dispatch your reporters to cover captivating stories. Then, it’s all about publishing those stories on the front page of your newspaper.
But here’s the catch – the newsworthiness of a story can fluctuate based on the number of available stories and the number of reporters chasing them. That means, timing is everything when deciding when to go to press. It’s a make-it-or-break-it moment!
The objective of the game is to earn bonuses by effectively covering the five primary news beats of the day: War, Crime & Calamity, New York City, Politics, and the Human Condition.
Okay, listen up! The person who gets the most points when the game is over wins. Keep track of your points on the circulation track. It’s that simple!
Okay, listen up! I’ve got a cool trick for you. Take those stories and stack ’em up! But wait…not just any stack. We’ve gotta be organized here. So here’s what we’re gonna do: start with the 1-star stories, put ’em on top. Next, grab the 2-star stories and stack ’em in the middle. Finally, grab those fancy 3-star stories and put ’em on the bottom. Boom! Now you’ve got your news beats neatly stacked in order. Easy peasy, right?
To kick things off, you’ll need to draw the headline cards, making sure each player gets one. As you do, don’t forget to move the bonus marker according to the instructions. Next, place the stories from the cards in their designated news beats. For now, let’s disregard the advertisement.
Now that we’re all set up, it’s time to dive in!
On your turn, you must choose one of the following four actions. Remember, you can’t just pass and do nothing.
After taking your action, take a moment to check if any of the arrow markers on the news beats (those five news categories represented by columns on the board) need to be adjusted.
This is what we call adjusting the news beats. Once that’s done, play moves clockwise to the next player.
We keep going like this until someone triggers the final edition phase of the game.
When it comes to my role as a reporter, I have the power to make a difference. I can place my reporters on any news beat and contribute to a story. It’s exciting to think about the impact I can have.
There’s no limit to the number of reporters I can assign to a single story. I can even join a story that already has other reporters on it, whether they belong to me or someone else. The more reporters, the more perspectives we can bring to the table.
There are times when I need to recalibrate. I can remove as many of my reporters from the board as I want and bring them back to my player mat. It’s my chance to rethink my strategy and make sure I’m on the right track.
Moving my reporters around
If I need to change the assignment of a reporter, I can do that too. I can move one of my reporters from one story to another. It’s important to note that I can only move one reporter at a time. And just like when assigning reporters, I can reassign them to a story that already has other reporters present. There’s no limit to how many reporters can be on a single story – the more, the merrier!
When I decide it’s time to make a splash and go to press, I get to take credit for all the articles my reporters have covered, and the best part is, I earn points on the circulation track.
If I choose to go to press, here’s what I need to do:
To build and score your front page, start by placing the stories you have claimed onto the grid on your player mat. Follow the rules outlined under ‘Building and Scoring a Front Page’. Once you have scored, remove all stories and your advertisement from your front page, if you have one. The stories you have published remain face up beside your player mat for the rest of the game, with their stars visible to all players.
Collecting a Penny:
Take a penny and place it in the lowest available spot on your player mat.
Drawing a New Headline Card:
Draw a headline card (refer to ‘Drawing Headline Cards’). This will introduce new stories to the board, advance a bonus marker, and add an advertisement to your front page.
You must claim at least one story before you can go to press.
Have you ever wondered what pet would be the best fit for you and your family? It can sometimes feel overwhelming trying to decide on the perfect pet, but fear not! I’m here to help you navigate through the process and find the ideal pet for your household. Whether you’re looking for a playful companion, a low-maintenance friend, or a cuddly buddy, there’s a pet out there that’s just right for you.
When it comes to choosing the right pet, it’s essential to take your lifestyle into account. Are you an active individual who enjoys spending time outdoors? Or are you more of a homebody who prefers quiet evenings at home? By considering your daily routine and energy levels, you can find a pet that fits in seamlessly with your lifestyle.
If you’re someone who loves to be on the go, a high-energy pet like a dog might be the perfect fit for you. Dogs love physical activity and thrive when they have plenty of opportunities to exercise. They make great companions for walks, hikes, and even runs. Not to mention, they’re incredibly loyal and will always be by your side.
If a busy schedule keeps you occupied, a low-maintenance pet like a cat might be a better choice. Cats are independent creatures that enjoy their alone time and don’t require as much attention as dogs. They still make great companions, though, and can provide plenty of love and affection when you have the time to spare.
Perhaps you’re in search of a pet that loves to cuddle and shower you with affection. In that case, a small dog like a Yorkshire Terrier or a lap dog like a Shih Tzu might be the perfect fit. These breeds are known for their cuddliness and will happily spend their time snuggled up next to you on the couch.
It’s important to consider the financial aspect of owning a pet. Along with the initial cost of adoption or purchase, there are ongoing expenses to consider, including food, grooming, vet bills, and other supplies. Make sure you’re financially prepared to provide for your new pet’s needs.
When it comes to choosing the perfect pet for you, it’s all about finding the right match for your lifestyle. Consider your activity level, the amount of time you can dedicate to a pet, and your financial situation. Remember, there’s a furry friend out there waiting to become part of your family. With a little planning and consideration, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect pet for you.
When one of us decides to hit the press for the third time in a 4- or 5-player game, or the fourth time in a 2- or 3-player game, that’s when the game reaches its end — the final edition. It’s important to keep track of everyone’s push count using the pennies on our player mats, and make sure they’re visible to all of us.
Once the final edition is triggered, the arrow markers on the board should be flipped over to their red sides. They won’t move anymore, but they should stay pointing to the same value as before.
Now, the player who triggered the final edition is up for their turn at the press. It’s business as usual for them, except that they won’t be drawing a headline card this time. They’re done and won’t have another turn. But don’t worry, the rest of us still have a chance to grab one last story and/or hit the press!
Now it’s my turn. I can take a normal turn, just like before, but there’s one catch – I can only assign or recall one reporter. I also have the option to reassign one reporter or go to press if I want.
But hold on! I shouldn’t change the news beats. It’s tempting to improve my position on the board, but there might be an advantage in going to press right away. If I go to press, I’m done and won’t have another turn.
After that, the remaining players get their chance to go to press. They can claim stories, score front pages, and earn scoop points. Even players who have already published their final edition can still earn points. The only thing they can’t do is draw headline cards.
Finally, we’ll find out which player’s newspaper did the best job covering the five leading news beats of the day.
Imagine this: picture cards that tell you the latest news in New York City long ago. These cards are divided into categories, known as news beats. When you choose a card from a specific news beat, it affects the bonus marker on the board. This means that a story from that category will always appear on the board.
When I draw a headline card, here’s what I do:
When it comes to keeping up with the latest stories and avoiding being beaten to the punch, it’s important to make sure that the arrow markers are pointing in the right direction in the news beats.
Why is this important, you may ask? Well, because new stories can suddenly become popular in a specific news beat. And since newspapers back in the day weren’t above sensationalizing a story to boost sales, it’s not uncommon for news beats to need some adjustments once reporters or stories have been added or removed.
Don’t worry, though! You can adjust the news beats as needed, but be sure to do it between turns, not during one. We don’t want it to interfere with scoring. Also, make sure to avoid making adjustments during the final edition phase of the game.
Here’s a handy tip for you: Have the next player in line take care of moving the news beats. This way, the game keeps flowing smoothly, and everyone gets a turn.
Now, let’s talk about how you can actually adjust a news beat:
The big arrow in the center of the marker now shows you how much the news beat is worth. The smaller, curvy arrow shows you how much the scoop value of the beat is. You can’t make the arrow markers go higher than 6, even if you add more reporters.
But wait! When you reach the final edition of the game, don’t move the arrow markers anymore! They get flipped over during the final edition, so the red arrow markers will remind you of this rule.
Imagine a news world where Crime and Calamity dominates the headlines in one corner (pink), while Politics takes the spotlight in another (blue). The number of stories in each beat determines how far the arrow markers extend. For example, if Crime and Calamity has one covered story and Politics has two, the arrow markers will be one and two spaces away from the stories, respectively.
It’s important to note that a Crime and Calamity story may be covered by different reporters. The key is that there are reporters on the beat. The central arrows indicate the values assigned to the news beats: 3 for Crime and Calamity, and 4 for Politics.
As we move from left to right on the bonus track, we start tallying up the stars earned by each player for the stories published in each news beat throughout the entire game.
The player who has the highest number of stars in a news beat will be awarded that beat’s bonus points, as indicated by the marker on the bonus track. In the event of a tie, all tied players receive the full amount of bonus points.
So, here’s the deal: If you want to come out on top in this news game, you gotta be the one with the highest position on that fancy circulation track. That’s how you become the news baron – the big winner!
But, here’s the kicker: What happens when there’s a tie? Well, keep your cool, my friend. We’ve got rules for that too. If there’s a tie amongst all the players, then it all boils down to who’s got the most stories. Yep, that’s right. The one with the most tales in their pocket snags the victory. And if, heaven forbid, there’s still a tie even after that, no worries. We’re not ones to leave things up in the air. Just flip a penny and let fate have the final say. Heads or tails, it’s gonna settle the score, my friend.
At the end of this game, The Times, The Herald, and The World have all put out stories about Politics, and the bonus marker for Politics is at 7.
Now let’s have a look at the total number of stars. Even though The Herald has published three stories while The Times only one, both newspapers have three stars in total.
As a result, each newspaper gets the full 7 bonus points on the circulation track. The World, however, doesn’t receive any points.
The 2-player game follows the same rules as the 3-player game (final edition is triggered when a player publishes their fourth newspaper) with one change.
When playing with two players, the first player has their first turn just like in other games, but then the second player takes two turns, one after the other. This pattern continues, with each player taking two turns until the final edition is triggered.
So, here’s the deal: when a player triggers the final edition in the game, the other player gets a chance to do a couple of things. They can either assign, reassign, or recall a single reporter, or they can go ahead and publish their final edition. This rule applies to both 3-5 player games as well as the final edition trigger.
This variant is designed specifically for 4-5 advanced players who are familiar with the game and have played it a few times. Please note that the newsboy strike variant should not be used when playing with only 2-3 players.
Here’s what you need to do to set up the variant: Give the newsboy token to the second player, who is sitting to the left of the first player.
When a player has the newsboy token, it means that a newsboy strike has hit their newspaper distribution. As a result, they have to give up their regular action and pass the newsboy token to the player on their right (going counter-clockwise), instead of taking their turn as usual. Then, play continues, moving to the player on their left, just like in the regular game.
