In the arid desert of Southern California, where land meets water in a surreal landscape, lies a vast and mysterious energy potential: the Salton Sea . But this is not just the site of a unique natural wonder; it is also the beating heart of a growing geothermal industry. Welcome to the world of Salton Sea, a board game that tests your skills in business management and geothermal lithium mining.

Salton Sea is designed to be enjoyed either alone or in groups of up to four players, with sessions lasting approximately 120 minutes. Each player takes on the role of a bold entrepreneur, determined to exploit the region’s full potential.

At the heart of the game are geothermal lithium mining companies. Throughout the game, players must navigate the challenges and opportunities to manage their operations efficiently to score the most points. Lithium mining and its subsequent processing will be the backbone of their businesses.

At the start of each turn, players must decide how to deploy their engineers. Each player has four engineers, each with unique abilities. These engineers can be placed on a variety of available spaces to perform crucial actions. There are three main categories of actions:

Industrial Action : These actions allow players to obtain a license to explore, drill, extract, process, or repair machinery. Carefully managing these actions is essential to keeping operations running and maximizing profits.

Trade Action : Here players can sell, acquire contracts and execute contracts. Making the most of trade opportunities is essential to ensure a steady stream of income and expand your operations.

Management Action : These actions allow players to engage in research, buying shares, developing the business project or financing. Investing in research and development can lead to new technologies and competitive advantages in the long run.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for success. The game rewards diversification and adapting to changing circumstances. Players can earn points for exhausting lands, fulfilling contracts, achieving short-term goals, business development, and research advancements. It is a delicate dance between risk and reward, with each move leading to either triumph or defeat.

Salton Sea offers an engaging experience that combines strategy, planning, and a healthy dose of randomness. It is a journey into the fascinating world of geothermal energy, where only the most astute entrepreneurs can emerge victorious. So, are you ready to brave the desert and dominate the Salton Sea?