Z-Man Games has announced that it is bringing the Chinatown board game to the U.S.  Designed by Karsten Hartwig, Chinatown (MSRP $70) is an elaborate board game that involves constant negotiations as players who are dealt random bits of property attempt to assemble them into an economic empire.  Chinatown is a legendary Alea Big Box game.  Alea was a new imprint created by Ravensburger in 1999 and Chinatown and Adel Verpflichtet are the only two Alea Big Box games that have never been released in the U.S., a situation that Z-Man is rectifying.

The game is set in New York’s Chinatown in the 1960s with players assuming the roles of immigrants who have to put their life savings to work and establish businesses.  Chinatown is divided into six districts with buildings numbered from 1-85.  The game, which is designed for from 3-5 players, consists of six rounds and takes about 60 minutes to play.  To generate maximum income similar businesses must be located in adjacent buildings and players must use their negotiating skills to get the most from their holdings.

The deluxe Chinatown game includes a game board, 150 wooden markers, 90 shop tiles, 175 cards, 1 year marker, and a linen bag.