The Measure of the Earth

The Measure of the Earth is a small and simple solo postcard game published as a freebie by SNAFU Design, as a gift to customers of SNAFU Store. In 1736, the Paris Academy of Sciences organized a geodetic mission to Lapland and another one to the Real Audiencia de Quito (now Ecuador). The goal: to measure the length of a degree of meridian at each location, to compare them, and to determine the shape of the Earth, whether flattened by the poles or by the equator. In the game, the player controls the members of the expedition to Ecuador and, using scarce Action Points, must triangulate the distance between Quito and Cuenca and perform gravity measures, with the best accuracy possible. If the player manages to triangulate a distance long enough and with good accuracy, the mission will be considered a success. —description from the designer