Ironworks: melt, mold, master 2027

Welcome to Ironworks: melt, mold, master. You are an iron molder working at a furnace company in the late 18th century. Centered around the cold-blast furnace, you are part of a community of miners, colliers, blacksmiths, artisans, and retailers working together for the benefit of all. Furnace companies like this were self-contained communities where everyone contributed—men and women alike. Many of the men took on the jobs of colliers, miners, fillers, and molders, while the women took on the foundational work load of harvesting, caring for the livestock, and providing clothing. Part time laborers traveling through also offered labor and skill.

Although pig iron is the main commodity to rise from the molten iron that pours from the furnace, your focus is producing high quality ten-plate stoves. The stoves, whose plates are beautifully carved by talented artisans, are a revolutionary design and now every home in America wants one. Through many hours spent molding and casting these stoves, you increase your skill and thereby your reputation. A higher reputation also means higher wages. Perfect your craft, invest your earnings, and strive to become Iron Master.

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Ironworks is a competitive, resource management, worker placement game set in rural Pennsylvania in the late 1700’s.

In this game, you play as an iron molder. Your goal is to win by getting the most reputation points at the end of the game. To do this, you’ll need to focus your attention on the furnace. Filling it is a group effort, but skill and efficiency will award only one player the Iron Master title.

Throughout the game, you will be taking actions to gather resources, acquire designs, fill the furnace, hire assistants, complete daily orders, and buy stocks. When the furnace is ready to be ‘tapped’ the molten iron will pour out. Collect the iron in your ladle in order to fill the molds in your work area. Complete designs in order to increase your skill. As your skill increases, so do your reputation and your wages. You would be wise to invest your earnings back into the company, buying stocks for the future. After the furnace taps three times, the end-game is triggered.

The player with the most reputation points at the end of the game is crowned Iron Master, the winner of Ironworks: melt, mold, master.

Good luck!

—description from the designer