Aufbauspiel

Aufbauspiel, literally “construction game,” is a genre of strategy games in which players develop a system, settlement, or economy from limited initial resources. The central aim is long-term development rather than immediate tactical maneuvers; players plan sequences of actions, manage resources, and progressively improve their board or tableau. Victory is usually determined by points, wealth, or the completion of specific objectives.

In board games, Aufbauspiele emphasize resource management, engine-building, and placement or set collection. Play typically proceeds in rounds during which players expand production chains, build structures, or develop infrastructure while competing for space, markets, or favorable actions. Many titles use modular boards or variable setups to increase replayability.

In video games, the closest analogue is the city-building or construction and management simulation genre, where players design and grow cities or economies, balancing housing, industry, and services. These games focus on scale, automation, and planning over direct conflict.

Notable examples in the board game realm include Agricola, Le Havre, and Caverna: The Cave Farmers; A Feast for Odin is also frequently described as an Aufbauspiel due to its heavy emphasis on resource management and building. In broader German-language discourse, the term helps distinguish development-oriented games from war or exploration titles, and is often discussed alongside Eurogame or Wirtschaftsspiel.

The concept arose within German-speaking gaming communities and design literature to categorize games that privilege construction, production, and steady growth over confrontation.