R&R Games, best known for its casual, family-oriented board games (see “R&R Gets some Igor”) will release Masters of Venice by the end of April. The game is designed by R&R president Frank DiLorenzo, who also created R&R titles Overthrone and Sold!, and was on hand at Toy Fair to show off the new title.

 

The game has a distinct “European” style to it, with trading and financial management at the heart of the gameplay. As up-and-coming merchants in 15th century Italy, players must curry favor with different factions to accumulate gold and prestige, trading in spice, silks, gems, iron, and grain to achieve their commercial goals.

 

Masters of Venice has a playing time of approximately 30 minutes per player (two to five players) and carries and MSRP of $35.