Glades Emperor is a 2-4 player worker placement game that takes place in the coastal Florida swamps in the year 1910. This is an historical game based on the events and lore of outlaws that would hide in these dark swamps to avoid incarceration and yet establish economic businesses. Doing so was a challenge not only due to the harsh conditions, but also dealing with the rooted locals that were not very thrilled with their presence.
In Glades Emperor, each player plays an outlaw and through the resourcefulness of a band of hired hands, you try to establish the most robust secret economic empire after 4 rounds. The company with the most value wins the game. The venture requires land grabs, bribery, growing crops and strong-arm tactics. Your hired hands come and go either through betrayal or losing to fate in these primitive swamps.
Rushing for the economic empire is not straightforward as you will have to make some morally low decisions from time to time which builds your bad reputation among the locals. Too much bad reputation, and you will be ''removed'' by the locals at the end of the game regardless of your business stature.
From snakes to guns and boats to swamp, this game is a visit to a time and place that is often overlooked.