http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8059

Hmm... I'm really tempted. Mostly by the awesome theme and a review I read on BGG.

It allows up to three in one order. Any other Minnesotans interested?

I really want this but my budget won't allow for it right now... :( make sure to offer it again in 2 or 3 months.

I'd bite with someone to split shipping, anyone in or around NYC want in?

Looks cool. I'm in for one.

[2] and [4] check here for others who live near you:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/46526

Don't know if they made any changes between the first and second editions, but the first edition was reviewed in the Spring 2004 issue of Gamers Alliance Report. You can find the review here:

http://www.gamersalliance.com/SP04/ideology.htm

From the designer:

Most of the changes to the individual Ideologies were simple (with the exception of Islamic Fundamentalism, which received a completely new version of "Jihad".)

Here is a list of the changed abilities:

IMPERIALISM (no variant version - no changes)

CAPITALISM

Attractive Culture: Once per turn, during the Conflict Phase, you may deflect an opponent's Cultural Influence card with any type of Influence card.

(summary of change: It is no longer a free deflection.)

COMMUNISM

Totalitarianism: At the end of the Assessment Phase, you may replace one opposing Influence card on one of your Controlled Regions with one matching Influence Card from your hand.

(summary of change: Totalitarianism can only be used once per turn now.)

FASCISM

Military Focus: You begin the game with one Tactics Advancement. When purchasing Tactics throughout the game, you may pay one Military Influence card and one Influence card of any kind.

(summary of change: The second sentence is a bonus ability for Fascism. It helps them to have a lot of Tactics so their Lightning Strike ability will be more effective).

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM

Jihad: Once per turn, during the Foreign Phase, as an action you may replace an opponent's Influence Card on an Independent Region with a matching Influence Card from your hand (paying the distance penalty as normal). The opponent cannot deflect this replacement, nor is he protected by Advancements. The opponent discards the replaced Influence Card and draws a new Influence Card from the top of his deck. Your diplomatic relationships define the types of Influence that you can replace.

Radical Fundamentalism: You must pay 1 extra Industry Advancement when purchasing the Innovation Advancement.

(summary of changes: Jihad is a completely different ability. Radical Fundamentalism only affects Innovation now; it no longer affects Technological Supremacy).

I hope you get a chance to try out the new edition. In addition to upgraded components and other game variants, there are also more Influence cards in each deck (which means that players always get to draw their full amount of Influence Cards, and reshuffle less frequently).

Thanks!

Andrew

[4] I work in manhattan and live in brooklyn. If you haven't already bought this, let me know and we can split it.

Bottom line, is this game worth buying? Or is it one that looks good at a good price, but will sit on the shelf for a long time before going into a math trade or an auction?

Great game, our game group keeps it in rotation. We generally like games like Shadow Hunters, Battlestar Galactica, Endeavor, etc. If that is your play style (strategy, player interaction, etc) BUY IT (a single copy will be 8 bucks cheaper than anywhere even with the shipping).