While it does have a questionable title, 'Secret Hitler' is an engrossing board game that has players discover the fascist among them. This unique board game tasks players with addressing the political state of Weimar, Germany and places them in various roles of government. The game is designed for five to 10 people, with players being divided into two teams: the liberals, who have the majority and the fascists, who are hidden to everyone but each other. The goal of the liberals is to pass laws and discover the secret fascist. The fascist must remain hidden for the entirety of the game and wins if enough fascist laws are on the board.
Secret Hitler is currently free under Creative Common licensing and offers its rules, game board and pieces on its website. A wood box edition is available for purchase and includes the standard edition, delivered inside the premium wooden case with brass hardware. The wood box edition of Secret Hitler was originally produced for the game's Kickstarter campaign and will no longer be available once it has sold out.
Fascist-Hunting Board Games
'Secret Hitler' is Surprisingly Poignant and Incredibly Fun to Play
Trend Themes
1. Hidden Role Board Games - With an increasing demand for more complex gameplay experiences, games featuring hidden roles have been gaining popularity in recent years.
2. Social Deduction Games - As players work to discover the hidden fascist among them, Secret Hitler joins a growing list of social deduction games that require strategic thinking and strong interpersonal skills.
3. Serious Games - Board games, like Secret Hitler, that tackle serious subject matter such as political regimes in a fun and engaging style continue to rise in popularity.
Industry Implications
1. Board Games - The board game industry is constantly innovating and new mechanics such as hidden roles and social deduction are becoming increasingly common to enhance gameplay experiences.
2. Education - Serious games that educate players on history and political systems, like Secret Hitler, have the potential to revolutionize the way we learn about complex topics in a fun and interactive way.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Games like Secret Hitler that provoke critical thinking and discussion can be used in marketing and advertising campaigns to create more engaging and memorable experiences for consumers.