December 2011 Notable Toys — General Games

Black Gold is a game of drilling and discovery for 2-5 prospectors, in which players try to gain more wealth than their fellow competitors by exploring the terrain for oil wells, surveying the possible sites, and building derricks. Players earn the most money if they can transport their oil to one of three companies and win the right to sell at auction. Immersive and detailed game components, powerful Action cards, and a modular board make Black Gold a thrilling challenge. During the game, a ruthless Oil Baron draws ever closer, his train counting down the rounds of the game’s thrilling ride. Players race against their opponents to earn the most wealth before he reaches his last track. Players must outbid, out-bluff, and out-strate- gize their opponents to become the next tycoon. "The tiny plastic oil wells that have tiny plastic oil drops that click into them, giving the appearance of oil spouting out of the derricks, is delightfully fun," Molly Glover, sales associate at Fantasy Flight Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.