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1994-1995 - Illuminati New World Order collectible card game - (INWO Limited Edition Starter Set) Factory Sealed 2 Double Decks 55 cards each INWO rulebook (110 Cards total) By Steve Jackson (Limited Edition 1st Printing 1994) (INWO, Starter Set) 4.7 out of 5 stars 14. Illuminati Card. Steve Jackson release the Illuminati: New World Order card game in 1995, and after his accounts and offices were raided in the same year,which subsequently went out of print after a brief release. We collected Illuminati New World Order (INWO) all cards,include Unlimited & Limited & Assassins editions. Tarot cards deck, Tarot Illuminati, 78 cards, companion book, beautiful tarot cards, gift, psychic, entertainment, oracle cards, shaman TransformNowShop 5 out of 5 stars (73). The Illuminati cards from a card game, discussed in the sequel, were first produced circa 1995. That is worth noting. What the cards contain is significant. Even if you believe that “conspiracy theorists” developed them back then, you would also have to believe that they got a lot right. Hence it is not theory but fact.

  • Forums.

This list also appears in Pyramid #12.

Here it is – the official card list for Illuminati: New World Order. Wedidn't publish this list when the game came out for several reasons . . .and the best one is that so many collectors seem to enjoy figuring itout for themselves! It was amazing to watch the messages fly back andforth on the Internet newsgroup rec.games.trading-cards.misc,as recipients of our free Rare cards started posting what they got, andother folks who just bought truckloads of cards started putting liststogether. (We saw the first post listing every card in the originalrelease only 4 days after the Dec. 16 release.)

But for those of you who don't have access to the net, this informationcould come in handy, especially come trading time. If game play is allyou're concerned about, then trading based on a card's merits and how itfits with the type of deck you're trying to build is fine. But for youcollectors out there, knowing the rarity of each card is a must.One more thing : We're very pleased to give the artists who worked so hardon INWO specific credit for each and every card. So don't be shy when yousee them at a convention - get 'em to autograph the cards they helpedcreate!

Copyright © 1995 Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. Permission is given to photocopythis list for personal use.

LIST KEY:

Frequency:
C - CommonU - Uncommon
R - RareI - Illuminati
S - Special
Coloring:
Jeff - Jeff Koke
Rick - Rick Martin
Derek - Derek Pearcy

Type:
Grp. - Group CardsPlc. - Place (Group)
Per. - Personality (Group)Res. - Resource (Group)
Plot - Plot CardsAss. - Assassination (Plot)
Dis. - Disaster (Plot)Ill. - Illuminati
Artist:
Bill - Bill BarkerRick H. - Rick Harris
Jeff - Jeff KokeJohn - John Kovalic
Derek - Derek PearcyShea - Shea Ryan
Dan - Dan SmithRuth - Ruth Thompson
Gary - Gary Washington

CARD LIST:

NameFreq.TypeArtistColoring
18 1/2-Minute GapRPlotSheaJeff
A.M.A.CGrp.DanJeff
Adepts of HermesIIll.SheaDerek
Agent In PlaceCPlotSheaDerek
Air Magic (Limited)
(Unlimited)
UPlotShea
Dan
Rick
Jeff
Al GoreCPer.SheaJeff
Albino AlligatorsCPlotDanJeff
Alternate GoalsCPlotDanRick
American Autoduel AssociationCGrp.DanJeff
And STAY Dead!CPlotSheaRick
Angel's FeatherCRes.SheaJeff
AngstRPlotDanDerek
Annual ConventionRPlotDanDerek
Anti-Nuclear ActivistsCGrp.DanDerek
Antiwar ActivistsRGrp.SheaJeff
Are We Having Fun Yet?CPlotDanRick
Ark of the CovenantRRes.SheaDerek
Assertiveness TrainingCPlotSheaDerek
Atomic MonsterCDis.DanDerek
The Auditor from HellCPlotDanRick
B.A.T.F.UGrp.DanDerek
BacklashCPlotDanJeff
Bank MergerUPlotDanJeff
Bank of EnglandRGrp.SheaRick
Bavarian IlluminatiIIll.JeffJeff
Benefit ConcertCPlotDanDerek
Bermuda TriangleIIll.DanJeff
Big MediaCGrp.DanDerek
The Big ScoreCPlotDanRick
The Big SelloutRPlotDanJeff
BigfootCRes.SheaDerek
Bill ClintonCPer.SheaDerek
Bimbo at ElevenCPlotSheaDerek
BjørnëCPer.SheaDerek
Black ActivistsCGrp.SheaDerek
BlitzkriegRPlotDanRick
Blood, Toil, Tears and SweatCPlotSheaRick
BodyguardRPlotDanJeff
Book of KellsURes.SheaJeff
Botched ContactUPlotDanJeff
Boy SproutsCGrp.DanJeff
BrazilCPlc.DanJeff
BriberyUPlotDanRick
The Bronze HeadCRes.SheaDerek
C.I.A.RGrp.DanJeff
Cable TVCGrp.JohnRick
CaliforniaCPlc.DanJeff
CanadaRPlc.SheaJeff
Car BombCAss.DanDerek
Cattle MutilatorsRGrp.DanDerek
Celebrity SpokesmanUPlotSheaJeff
CensorshipUPlotSheaJeff
Center for Disease ControlUPlc.DanRick
Center for Weird StudiesCRes.Rick H.Derek
CFL-AIORGrp.SheaRick
Charismatic LeaderCPlotDanJeff
ChinaRPlc.DanDerek
Church of ElvisUGrp.SheaJeff
Citizenship AwardCPlotDanJeff
Clipper ChipCRes.DanJeff
CloneUPlotDanDerek
Clone ArrangersCGrp.DanJeff
Cold FusionCPlotDanRick
Combined DisastersUPlotDanJeff
Comic BooksUGrp.SheaJeff
CommitmentUPlotDanDerek
Computer SecurityRPlotDanDerek
Computer VirusUPlotDanRick
Congressional WivesUGrp.SheaDerek
Conspiracy TheoristsCGrp.SheaRick
CorruptionRPlotDanRick
Count DraculaRPer.SheaDerek
Counter-RevolutionRPlotDanJeff
CounterspellUPlotDanDerek
Cover of DarknessRPlotDanDerek
Cover-UpRPlotDanJeff
Crop CirclesCPlotSheaRick
Crystal SkullRRes.DanJeff
Currency SpeculationCPlotDanDerek
Cyborg SoldiersRRes.DanJeff
Cycle GangsCGrp.DanJeff
Dan QuayleCPer.SheaJeff
Deasil EngineRPlotJohnRick
Death MaskURes.SheaDerek
Deep AgentCPlotDanJeff
DemocratsUGrp.DanRick
DentistsCGrp.SheaRick
DeprogrammersUGrp.DanRick
DictatorshipCPlotDanRick
Dinosaur ParkUPlc.DanDerek
Discordian SocietyIIll.JeffJeff
Dollars for DecencyUPlotSheaJeff
Double-CrossCPlotDanDerek
DruidsCGrp.SheaJeff
Early WarningCPlotDanRick
Earth MagicCPlotSheaJeff
EarthquakeCDis.DanJeff
Earthquake ProjectorCRes.DanDerek
Eat The Rich!RPlotSheaJeff
Eco-GuerrillasCGrp.DanJeff
EFFRGrp.SheaJeff
Elders of ZionRGrp.DanJeff
ElizaURes.DanDerek
ElvisRPer.SheaJeff
EmbezzlementRPlotDanJeff
Emergency PowersCPlotDanDerek
Empty VeeCGrp.SheaDerek
EnglandCPlc.SheaJeff
EpidemicCDis.SheaJeff
Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow RGrp.SheaJeff
Exposed!CPlotDanRick
F.B.I.CGrp.DanDerek
Faction FightRPlotDanJeff
Fast Food ChainsCGrp.DanJeff
Federal ReserveUGrp.DanRick
FeministsUGrp.DanJeff
Fidel CastroUPer.DanDerek
Fiendish FluoridatorsCGrp.DanJeff
FinlandRPlc.SheaJeff
The First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All The LawyersRPlotSheaJeff
Flat EarthersCGrp.DanDerek
Flower PowerUPlotSheaRick
Flying SaucerCRes.DanJeff
Fnord Motor CompanyCGrp.DanJeff
Fnord!CPlotDerekDerek
Foiled!UPlotSheaRick
ForgeryUPlotSheaJeff
FranceCPlc.JohnJeff
Fraternal OrdersCGrp.JohnJeff
Freaking The MundanesUPlotSheaJeff
Fred Birch SocietyRGrp.SheaRick
The Frog GodCRes.SheaJeff
Full MoonUPlotDanDerek
Fundie MoneyCPlotDanDerek
Gang WarUPlotSheaJeff
Gay ActivistsUGrp.SheaDerek
George BushCPer.SheaRick
George the JanitorCPlotSheaJeff
GermanyRPlc.JohnJeff
Giant KudzuUDis.DanJeff
Girlie MagazinesCGrp.SheaRick
Gnomes of ZurichIIll.DerekDerek
Goal: Criminal OverlordsUPlotSheaJeff
Goal: FratricideCPlotSheaDerek
Goal: Hail Eris!CPlotDanDerek
Goal: Kill For Peace!RPlotDanDerek
Goal: Let Them Eat Cake!UPlotSheaJeff
Goal: Power For Its Own SakeRPlotSheaDerek
Goal: Power To The PeopleUPlotDanJeff
Goal: The Corporate MastersCPlotRuthDerek
Goal: The Hand of MadnessCPlotSheaJeff
Goal: Up Against The Wall!RPlotDanJeff
Goldfish FanciersRGrp.SheaDerek
Good Polls (Limited)
(Unlimited)
CPlotDan
Dan
Rick
Derek
Gordo RemoraCPer.SheaJeff
Grassroots SupportCPlotDanJeff
The Great PyramidSPlc.SheaJeff
GremlinsRPlotSheaJeff
Gun LobbyCGrp.DanDerek
HackersUGrp.DanJeff
HallucinationsCRes.DanDerek
Hammer of ThorCRes.SheaDerek
Harmonica VirginsCPlotSheaDerek
Hat TrickCPlotJohnJeff
HawaiiCPlc.SheaRick
Head In A JarUPlotDanDerek
HexRPlotDanJeff
Hidden CityURes.SheaRick
Hidden InfluenceRPlotSheaRick
Hillary ClintonCPer.SheaDerek
Hit and RunCAss.GaryDerek
Hitler's BrainRRes.DanDerek
Hoax!UPlotSheaDerek
HollywoodUPlc.SheaJeff
The Holy GrailRRes.SheaJeff
HurricaneCDis.DanRick
I LiedUPlotSheaJeff
I.R.S.UGrp.DanDerek
Imelda MarcosCPer.SheaRick
Immortality SerumRRes.SheaDerek
ImpostorCPlotDanJeff
InfobahnCPlotDanDerek
IntellectualsCGrp.DanRick
InterferenceCPlotSheaRick
International Cocaine SmugglersCGrp.DanRick
International ConspiracyRGrp.DanJeff
International Weather Organization UGrp.SheaDerek
The Internet WormUPlotDanJeff
Israel (Limited)
(Unlimited)
RPlc.John
Dan
Rick
Jeff
ItalyRPlc.SheaRick
Jake DayCPlotSheaDerek
JapanCPlc.JohnDerek
JihadCPlotDanJeff
Jimmy HoffaRPer.DanRick
JoggersCGrp.SheaJeff
Junk MailUGrp.DanRick
Just Say NoCPlotDanDerek
Ketchup Is A VegetableCPlotDanRick
Kinder and GentlerCPlotDanJeff
KKKCGrp.DanDerek
L-4 Society (Limited)
(Unlimited)
UGrp.John
Dan
Rick
Derek
Las VegasCPlc.SheaDerek
LawyersCGrp.SheaJeff
Let's Get OrganizedCPlotSheaRick
Let's Get REALLY OrganizedUPlotSheaRick
Let's You and Him FightRPlotSheaJeff
Liberal AgendaCPlotSheaRick
LibertariansRGrp.SheaRick
The Library at AlexandriaURes.SheaJeff
Liquor CompaniesRGrp.JohnJeff
Loan SharksCGrp.DanJeff
Local Police DepartmentsUGrp.DanRick
Loch Ness MonsterCRes.SheaJeff
Logic BombRPlotDanJeff
Madison AvenueCGrp.DanJeff
The MafiaRGrp.DanJeff
Manuel NoriegaUPer.DanRick
March On WashingtonCPlotDanDerek
Margaret ThatcherUPer.DanRick
Market ManipulationUPlotJohnRick
Martial LawCPlotDanDerek
MartyrsCPlotDanRick
Mass MurderRPlotDerekDerek
Media BlitzCPlotSheaRick
Media ConnectionsRPlotSheaRick
Media SensationCPer.DanJeff
The Men In BlackRGrp.DanDerek
MercenariesCRes.DanJeff
MessiahRPlotDanJeff
Meteor StrikeUDis.DanJeff
MI-5UGrp.DanJeff
Midas MillCRes.DanDerek
Miracle Diet PlanCPlotSheaJeff
Mistaken IdentityRPlotDanRick
Mob InfluenceCPlotDanRick
MonopolyCPlotDanRick
MoonbaseCPlc.DanDerek
MooniesCGrp.DanRick
Moral MinorityCGrp.DanJeff
MossadRGrp.SheaJeff
Mothers' MarchCPlotSheaRick
Multinational Oil CorporationsUGrp.JohnJeff
Murphy's LawUPlotJohnRick
Mutual BetrayalCPlotSheaRick
N.S.A.RGrp.DanRick
Nancy ReaganRPer.SheaRick
NASAUGrp.DanRick
NationalizationCPlotSheaDerek
NATORGrp.SheaDerek
NecronomiconURes.SheaDerek
Nephews of GodCGrp.SheaDerek
The NetworkIIll.DanJeff
Never SurrenderCPlotDanRick
New BloodCPlotSheaDerek
New Federal BudgetUPlotDanRick
New YorkUPlc.DanRick
Nice Idea. It's Mine Now.RPlotDanJeff
NinjasCGrp.DanDerek
Nobel Peace PrizeCPlotSheaDerek
Nuclear AccidentCDis.DanRick
Nuclear Power CompaniesCGrp.DanDerek
NWO: A Thousand Points of Light (blue)UPlotDanRick
NWO: Bigger Business (yellow)UPlotJohnJeff
NWO: Chicken In Every Pot (blue)CPlotSheaRick
NWO: Don't Forget To Smash The State (yellow) CPlotDanJeff
NWO: Energy Crisis (blue)RPlotJohnRick
NWO: Fear and Loathing (blue)UPlotDanRick
NWO: Gun Control (red)UPlotDanJeff
NWO: Law and Order (yellow)UPlotDanRick
NWO: Military-Industrial Complex (yellow)CPlotDanJeff
NWO: Peace In Our Time (red)CPlotJohnDerek
NWO: Political Correctness (red)UPlotDanRick
NWO: Solidarity (red)CPlotSheaDerek
NWO: Tax Reform (red)RPlotJohnRick
NWO: World Hunger (blue)CPlotDanJeff
NWO: World War 3 (yellow)RPlotDanJeff
An Offer You Can't RefuseRPlotDanDerek
Offshore BanksUGrp.SheaRick
Ollie NorthUPer.DanRick
OPECCGrp.SheaDerek
Opportunity KnocksRPlotSheaJeff
Orbit OneUPlc.DanJeff
Orbital Mind Control LasersCRes.DanDerek
The Oregon CrudRDis.SheaRick
ParanoidsCGrp.SheaJeff
PayoffCPlotDanRick
PentagonCPlc.DanJeff
Perpetual Motion MachineRRes.DanDerek
Phone CompanyUGrp.DanRick
Phone PhreaksCGrp.DanDerek
Plague of DemonsRDis.DanJeff
Pledge DriveUPlotSheaRick
PoisonCAss.SheaDerek
PollstersRGrp.SheaJeff
Post OfficeCGrp.DanDerek
Power CorruptsCPlotDanDerek
Power GrabCPlotDanDerek
Prince CharlesUPer.SheaRick
Princess DiUPer.SheaDerek
Principia DiscordiaCRes.SheaJeff
PrivatizationCPlotSheaDerek
Privileged AttackCPlotDanJeff
Professional SportsUGrp.DanJeff
PsychiatristsUGrp.SheaJeff
Pulitzer PrizeCPlotDanDerek
Punk RockersCGrp.SheaJeff
PurgeCPlotDanDerek
Pyramid Marketing SchemesSGrp.SheaRick
Rain of FrogsUDis.SheaRick
Reach Out . . .RPlotDanJeff
Read My LipsCPlotJohnRick
Recording IndustryCGrp.SheaRick
Red CrossRGrp.SheaJeff
Red ScareUPlotDanDerek
Reformed Church of SatanUGrp.DanJeff
Religious ReichCGrp.SheaDerek
Reload!UPlotDanJeff
ReorganizationCPlotDanDerek
RepublicansUGrp.DanRick
Resistance Is Useless!RPlotDanJeff
Revolution!UPlotDanRick
Rewriting HistoryRPlotJohnJeff
RifkinitesRGrp.DanDerek
Robot Sea MonstersUGrp.DanJeff
Rogue BoomerCRes.DanDerek
Ronald ReaganCPer.SheaJeff
RosicruciansCGrp.SheaDerek
Ross PerotRPer.DanRick
RussiaCPlc.SheaDerek
S.M.O.F.RGrp.SheaJeff
SabotageRPlotDanDerek
Saddam HusseinCPer.SheaJeff
Saturday Morning CartoonsUGrp.SheaRick
Save the WhalesCPlotSheaDerek
Savings & Loan ScamUPlotDanJeff
Savings and LoansRGrp.SheaJeff
ScandalRPlotSheaJeff
Science Fiction FansCGrp.DanRick
The Second BulletCPlotDanJeff
Secret ServiceRGrp.DanJeff
Secrets Man Was Not Meant To KnowUPlotDanDerek
Secular HumanistsUGrp.SheaJeff
Seize The Time!UPlotDanDerek
Self-EsteemCPlotDanRick
Semiconscious Liberation ArmyCGrp.DanRick
Senate Investigating CommitteeRPlotSheaRick
Servants of CthulhuIIll.DanJeff
Shangri-LaIIll.DanDerek
Shroud of TurinRRes.SheaJeff
Silicon ValleyUPlc.DanJeff
Slush FundCPlotDanJeff
SniperUAss.DanRick
Society for Creative AnarchismCGrp.DanJeff
SoulburnerRRes.SheaDerek
South American NazisRGrp.DanRick
Spasm of ViolenceRPlotDanDerek
Spear of LonginusCRes.SheaDerek
The Stars are RightRPlotDanRick
Stealing The PlansCPlotDanRick
Stock SplitCPlotDanDerek
StonehengeCPlc.SheaDerek
Straighten UpCPlotDanRick
SubliminalsRGrp.SheaJeff
Sucked Dry And Cast Aside!UPlotDanJeff
Suicide SquadURes.SheaJeff
Supreme CourtRGrp.DanRick
SurvivalistsCGrp.DanRick
Sweeping ReformsUPlotDanJeff
Sweepstakes PrizeCPlotSheaRick
Swiss Bank AccountCPlotSheaJeff
SwitzerlandCPlc.SheaRick
TabloidsUGrp.SheaDerek
Talisman of AhrimanesCPlotSheaJeff
Tax BreaksUPlotSheaRick
Telephone PsychicsCGrp.SheaRick
TemplarsCGrp.SheaJeff
Terrorist NukeCPlotDanDerek
Texas (Limited)
(Unlimited)
RPlc.Dan
Dan
Rick
Derek
Tidal WaveCDis.DanJeff
Time WarpRPlotDanDerek
Tobacco CompaniesCGrp.DanRick
TornadoCDis.JohnRick
Trading Card GamesSGrp.SheaRick
TrekkiesCGrp.DanJeff
Triliberal CommissionRGrp.SheaJeff
TV PreachersCGrp.SheaDerek
UFOsIIll.BillJeff
Underground NewspapersRGrp.DanRick
United NationsCGrp.DanJeff
Unlucky 13RPlotSheaJeff
Unmasked!RPlotSheaJeff
Upheaval!CPlotDanDerek
Urban GangsCGrp.SheaDerek
VampiresCGrp.SheaJeff
Vatican CityCPlc.DanJeff
Video GamesCGrp.DanRick
VolcanoUDis.DanDerek
Volunteer AidCPlotSheaDerek
Voodoo EconomicsCPlotSheaRick
VoudonistasUGrp.SheaRick
VulturesCPlotDanRick
W.I.T.C.H.CGrp.DanDerek
Wall StreetCGrp.SheaJeff
Warehouse 23URes.SheaJeff
WargamersCGrp.DanJeff
The Weak LinkRPlotDanJeff
Weather SatelliteURes.DanJeff
The Weird Turn ProCPlotSheaRick
Whispering CampaignCPlotSheaJeff
Withering CurseRAss.SheaJeff
World Cup VictoryRPlotDanRick
XanaduCRes.SheaJeff

BOXES

There are eight different Starter Set box backs. Two are more common thanthe rest:

Cheat Sheet (common)
Deck Design
Handicaps
Illuminated Goals
Play Sequence (common)
The Bidding Game
To The Death
World Conquest 101

Illuminati
Designer(s)Steve Jackson
Publisher(s)Steve Jackson Games
Players2–8 (4–6 recommended)
Setup time1–5 minutes
Playing time1 to 6 hours
Random chanceMedium
Skill(s) requiredStrategic thought, Deal Making, Bluffing

Illuminati is a card game made by Steve Jackson Games (SJG), inspired by the 1975 book, The Illuminatus! Trilogy, by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. The game has ominous secret societies competing with each other to control the world through various means, including legal, illegal, and even mystical. It was designed as a 'tongue-in-cheek rather than serious'[1] take on conspiracy theories. It contains groups named similarly to real world organizations, such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Symbionese Liberation Army.[2] It can be played by two to eight players. Depending on the number of players, a game can take between one and six hours.

Genesis of game[edit]

In September 1981, Steve Jackson and his regular freelance cover artist Dave Martin discussed their shared admiration of the Illuminatus! Trilogy, and the latter suggested a game. Steve Jackson decided against adapting the novel because of the expense of game rights, and the difficulty of adapting a novel with such convoluted plots. He decided 'a game about the secret-conspiracy idea behind Illuminatus!' was viable. After researching the Illuminati and conspiracy theories, and 'extensive and enthusiastic playtesting' it went on the market in July 1982 in the (at the time) usual SJG Pocket Box format. Over the next few years, three expansions for the Pocket Box Illuminati game were published. The first two were substantially incorporated into the deluxe edition, while the third was a version of what would become Illuminati: Brainwash.

Illuminati Cards Full Deck

Robert Shea provided a four-paragraph introduction to the rulebook for the Illuminati Expansion Set 1 (1983), in which he wrote, 'Maybe the Illuminati are behind this game. They must be—they are, by definition, behind everything.'

In 2001, although Illuminatus! Trilogy co-author Robert Anton Wilson did not specifically name Illuminati, he criticized some products for exploiting the Illuminatus! name without paying royalties by taking advantage of legal loopholes.[3] Later commentators have attributed both the game and the Illuminatus! Trilogy as using real conspiracies as 'targets of ridicule.'[4]

Description[edit]

A game of Illuminati in progress.
Cards

The game is played with a deck of special cards, money chips (representing 'millions of dollars in low-denomination unmarked banknotes') and two six-sided dice. There are three types of cards:

  • Illuminati
  • Groups
  • Special cards

The players take role of Illuminati societies that struggle to take over the world. The Pocket Box edition depicted six Illuminati groups: The Bavarian Illuminati, The Discordian Society, The UFOs, The Servants of Cthulhu, The Bermuda Triangle, and The Gnomes of Zürich. The deluxe edition added the Society of Assassins and The Network, and the Illuminati Y2K expansion added the Church of The SubGenius and Shangri-La. The aim of the game is fulfilled when Illuminati build a power structure consisting of given number of cards (dependent on number of players), or when Illuminati fulfill its special goal, (such as controlling at least one card of each alignment for the Bermuda Triangle).

The world is represented by group cards such as Secret Masters of Fandom, the CIA, The International Communist Conspiracy, Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow, California, and many more – there are over 300 official cards available. Every group and Illuminati has some Power, Resistance and Income values; most of the world groups have an Alignment. The game is written with the usual SJG humor. The game uses a multitude of conspiracy theory in-jokes, with cards such as the Boy Sprouts (where sinister youth leaders influence the world leaders of tomorrow), the Orbital Mind Control Lasers, the Mafia, two headed Anti-Nuclear Activists, or Trekkies. Special cards represent unexpected phenomena and features, for example increasing Income or Resistance of a group.

The game is played in turns. The primary Illuminati (player) activity is taking control of groups. Other types of attacks are attacks to neutralize (removing from Illuminati power structure and returning to the table - to the world) and attack to destroy (removing from the game). Besides attacking groups the players can trade, form alliances, and many other activities. Tactics such as playing opponents off each other, backstabbing and concealing your true motives are encouraged in this game. In one variant of the game, players are allowed to cheat, steal money from the table and do anything it takes to win.

During an attack to take control, the attacker must overcome the Resistance of attacked groups with combined Power of his groups (affected by Alignment of attacker and attacked), money spent, and influence of special cards. The attacked group can be defended by spending money and special cards by other players (especially by a controlling Illuminati). After a successful attack to take control, the card is placed (along the special markers) next to Illuminati, or another already controlled group forming a power structure.

Each group has its own money, marked by money counters on that group. Most groups have an income collected at the beginning of each turn; money can also be moved one step at a time between groups once per turn. Money in the Illuminated group is accessible for defense of or attacks on all groups in the entire world. Money in the groups can only be used by that group, but gives double defense bonus when spent in defense.

Although the game can support two to ten players, a group of four or five is considered ideal. Some Illuminati might seem unbalanced, such as the high-income Gnomes and the low-level Discordians, but sometimes their true value is not visible at first or valuable only in certain circumstances. Planning the power structure is important, since groups close to the Illuminated core have a defense bonus. Also, groups can 'block' each other's control arrows, through which groups control other groups. The flow of money is important, as a large lump of it will boost the offense / defense of the owning group.

The game has attained cult status in some circles, been referenced in some geek media (like User Friendly comic strip). It is also mentioned in Dan Brown's novel Angels & Demons, which concerns an apparent attack by the revived Illuminati; the game is referred to as an online computer game, but references to Steve Jackson make clear that the reference is to this game.[5]

Expansions[edit]

Available expansion sets are:Illuminati Mutual Assured Distraction (2010);Illuminati Bavarian Fire Drill (2007);Illuminati Y2K (1999);Illuminati Brainwash (1985).

Related games[edit]

Steve Jackson Games also released a collectible card game version called Illuminati: New World Order and a stand-alone version called Illuminati: Crime Lords. SJG also developed some Illuminated role-playing game modules for its GURPS system, including GURPS Illuminati, GURPS Illuminati University and GURPS Warehouse 23.

SJG also released two related games. One is the recent Illuminati: Crime Lords where the players control mobs in attempt to take over a city. This is a separate game based on a similar rules set. The other one is Hacker which is also similar to the original Illuminati (modulo terminology), but the players fight for the control of computer networks. It is more loose, and based primarily on interlocking access to different computer systems in the web. Players are not set directly towards each other, and several players can share access to a system.

Adventure Systems created a Play-by-mail game (PBM) Illuminati game, based on and licensed from the Steve Jackson game, with many modifications. The game was eventually purchased, and is now run, by Flying Buffalo. The designer, Draper Kauffman, had been trying to develop a 'global strategy game' for many years when he received a copy of Illuminati. Recalling the creation of the PBM version, Kauffman wrote, 'It wasn't long before I found that every problem in my own game design had a suspiciously similar solution: 'Hey, how about if we just handle that like they did in Illuminati?'[citation needed]

Reception[edit]

Phil Masters reviewed Illuminati for White Dwarf #40, giving it an overall rating of 7 out of 10, and stated that 'Overall, this is a playable game with a good element of skill; it creates an appropriate atmosphere of conspiracy and cynicism, although the open hands system rather removes the element of paranoid secrecy inherent in conspiracy theories. Illuminati will earn its devotees, especially in America, although it lacks the elegance of the best cult games.'[6]

Phil Masters reviewed Illuminati Expansion Sets 1 & 2 for White Dwarf #44, giving it an overall rating of 6 out of 10, and stated that 'the concept is certain to appeal to anyone with a pet dislike or a shred of cheap cynicism.'[7]

Illuminati cards amazon

In the December 1983 edition of Dragon, Michael Lowrey believed that Steve Jackson Games had 'a definite potential classic here, and one which, properly marketed, could appeal to folks who will never play a wargame in their lives'. However Lowrey thought the two expansion sets were overly expensive, and advised consumers to see how they liked the basic game before buying the expansion sets.[8]

In Space Gamer No. 68, Dave Nalle concurred about the first two expansion sets: 'These are excellent but high-priced expansions to a good and popular game. Before buying them and shelling out [the cash], you will probably want to pause to consider how much you will be using them, and as long as you play fairly frequently, the price may be worth the use you'll get.'[9]

Several issues later, in The Space Gamer No. 76, Kevin Ross gave the Illuminati Expansion Set 3 a positive review, saying, 'If you want some great new wrinkles for your Illuminati game, you definitely need this supplement. The rules make for a longer but much more enjoyable game. And don't let the lack of a Pocket Box or the thinness of the package fool you. There's a lot here for [the price].'[10]

In the December 1993 edition of Dragon (Issue 200), Allen Varney called it 'a brilliant card-and-token game.' He concluded, 'Ingenious and satirical,the Illuminati game fosters good-humored paranoia and dramatic struggles.'[11]

In 2007, almost 25 years after its original publication, Iluminati was chosen for the book Hobby Games: The 100 Best. Scott Haring wrote that Illuminati is 'too much fun and has too much replay value to fade away on its own. Indeed, 25 years after its initial release, Illuminati is still immensely popular, having spawned multiple editions, three expansion sets, Steve Jackson Games' corporate logo, a spinoff collectible card game that is still the single biggest-selling product line in SJ Games history, and — my favorite — a complete set of color-coded pins that identified Illuminati members and their specialty.'[12]

Illuminati Cards In Order

Awards[edit]

  • Illuminati won the Origins Award for Best Science Fiction Boardgame of 1982.[13]
  • GURPS Illuminati won the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Supplement of 1992.
  • Illuminati: New World Order won the Origins Award for Best Card Game of 1994.
  • Illuminati PBM won the Origins Award for Best Play-by-Mail Game of 1985, 1990–1994,[14] tied in 1995 with Middle-Earth Play-By-Mail,[15] and was then added to their Hall of Fame in 1997.[16]

References[edit]

Illuminati
  1. ^Jackson, Steve. 'Illuminati Designer Article'. Steve Jackson Games. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  2. ^Sarrett, Peter. 'Desert Island Games'. The Game Report. Archived from the original on 2013-05-08.
  3. ^Disinformation Website: In the RAW: Necessary Heresies originally published in REVelation magazine (#13, Autumn, 1995) pp. 36–40Archived July 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine 'RAW recently criticised several games companies who have marketed products exploiting Illuminatus! and the Discordians, and can escape paying royalties through legal loop-holes.' (URL accessed 28 February)
  4. ^Payne, Pat (2001-05-22). 'Illuminating paranoia'. Oregon Daily Emerald. Retrieved 2008-10-25.[dead link]
  5. ^Dan Brown, Angels & Demons (paperback edition) (New York: Pocket Books, 2001), 99, 257-258.
  6. ^Masters, Phil (April 1983). 'Open Box'. White Dwarf. Games Workshop (40): 17.
  7. ^Masters, Phil (August 1983). 'Open Box'. White Dwarf. Games Workshop (44): 12–13.
  8. ^Lowrey, Michael (December 1983). 'Illuminati: It's a Conspiracy!'. Dragon. TSR (company) (80): 62.
  9. ^Nalle, Dave (March–April 1984). 'Capsule Reviews'. Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (68): 39.
  10. ^Ross, Kevin (Sep–Oct 1985). 'Capsule Reviews'. Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (76): 39.
  11. ^Varney, Allen (December 1993). 'Social Board Games'. Dragon. TSR, Inc. (200): 120.
  12. ^Haring, Scott (2007). 'Illuminati'. In Lowder, James (ed.). Hobby Games: The 100 Best. Green Ronin Publishing. pp. 153–156. ISBN978-1-932442-96-0.
  13. ^'The 1982 Origins Awards'. The Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
  14. ^Origins Award winners:
    • 'The 1985 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
    • 'The 1990 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
    • 'The 1991 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
    • 'The 1992 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
    • 'The 1993 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
    • 'The 1994 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
  15. ^'The 1995 Origins Awards'. Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012.
  16. ^'Origins Award Winners (1997)'. Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  • Jackson, Steve (1982). 'The Truth Behind ILLUMINATI'. Adventure Gaming. 2 (3): 11–13.
  • Kauffman, Draper (1985). 'Illuminati PBM Designer's Notes'. Space Gamer. 72: 29.

Illuminati Cards Predictions

External links[edit]

Illuminati Cards Amazon

  • Illuminati: Deluxe Edition at BoardGameGeek
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