Fabio Lopiano – författare

Nominated for the As d'Or Game of the Year Expert Category 2025A dynamic, interactive, mid-weight eurogame for one to four players, following the rise in fortunes of the prestigious University of Sankoré in 14th-century Timbuktu.Tasked by the emperor, Mansa Musa, with spreading knowledge throughout West Africa, players must each manage a prestigious school within the Sankoré Madrasa as this great university is raised around them.By enrolling and graduating your pupils, teaching classes, adding to your curriculum, and filling the great library with books, you will advance knowledge in four main disciplines: theology, law, mathematics, and astronomy. Once construction of the university is complete, the value that the empire places on each discipline will dramatically affect how you score the knowledge you have passed on.In a dedicated solo mode, you will be competing against a distinguished scholar, a passionate, and ambitious academic controlled by an elegant automated system. They may not be as nimble as you, but they are focused and driven and will strive to produce the best possible students.Can you navigate the corridors of academic competition and bring renown to Mansa Musa's prized university?Ages: 14+Players: 1-4Playing Time: 150-180 minutesContents: Main Board, 4 Player Boards, 260+ Wooden Pieces, 190+ Tokens, 25+ Cards

Retell the incredible origin myth of the Inca in this dramatic mid-weight eurogame.In the beginning, Viracocha the creator brought forth Inti, the sun god, and Mama Quilla, the moon god. From the union of these two gods sprang four sons and four daughters: the Ayar. These siblings were tasked with guiding the first clans and teaching them the skills needed to build a civilisation. As they travelled the land in search of fertile ground, the Ayar one by one met their fates until only two remained to found Tawantinsuyu – the Inca Empire.In Ayar: Children of the Sun, players take control of one of the first clans, journeying with the Ayar across the Andes. Follow their teaching and improve your skills at farming, pottery, weaving, and reed bundling. As well as advancing your own clan, you must influence the progress of the Ayar, ensuring the survival of those who reward your most developed skills. Seek the approval of Mama Quilla through long-term strategy, and please Inti with tactical play. But be careful not to earn the ire of one of these jealous gods – at the end of the game, whichever one favours you least will determine your final score.The future of your clan – and the Inca civilisation – is in your hands.Players: 1-4Ages: 14+Playing time: 60-90 minutesContents: 1 main board, 1 side board, 4 player boards, 200+ wooden pieces, 200+ punchboard tokens