In in the year of the Dragon, players take on the role of Chinese rulers around the year 1000. The game plays out in twelve rounds, with each round representing one month in a year that seems to go from bad to worse. Disease, drought, and attacks from the Mongols are just a few of the challenges ahead you may face as a ruler. Make sure you have enough money to offer a tribute to the Emperor. The game play is easier than it may appear. Every player has a set of “person” cards. Each round, you choose one action (most of which call on your workers’ abilities) to help you prepare for the months ahead. Then you play one person card, recruiting that person and placing them into one of your palaces. Each person brings different skills and abilities to help you ride out the year. For example, farmers harvest rice to survive a month of drought and tax collectors raise money. At the end of each round, that month’s event is triggered, which may cost you some of your workers, some money, or you will have to relinquish points. Careful planning is the key to survival in “in the year of the Dragon”, but survival alone may not win the game. Added bonus features that come with this 10th anniversary edition are “the great wall of China” and “the Super events” expansions that are included with this edition. Alea game spine number 12. 2008 tric Trac nominee; 2008 Spiel des Jahres recommended; 2008 jota best light board game nominee; 2008 Japan boardgame prize voters’ selection nominee; 2008 international gamers awards – general strategy; multi-player nominee; 2008 golden geek best gamer’s board game nominee.