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I'm looking for a 4x style boardgame that simulates galactic empire building and abstract fleet battles. Preferably one with free rules, and that I can play with household items (pen, paper, dice, etc)... Any suggestions?

I was going to suggest Twilight Imperium, but then I saw your criteria.

Yeah, I want to try it but can't find a boxed set for less than 70 bucks! I have the rules PDF and it looks exciting.

TI can be very long. The out-of-the-box current version has some balance weirdness where, at least for certain game sizes, there's not enough incentive to force conflict. The previous edition was a bit better at this, as the random events seemed a bit more likely to cause weird, fun, stuff that shook up the political situation.

Still, neat game. The new edition's 'integrated' turn mechanic is pretty cool and keeps people involved, whereas in the old version you could basically take a quick dinner break to let 2-3 people do their turn and not miss a thing.

What 4x game isn't long?

4x game?

4x.. eXplore, eXpand, eXplore, eXterminate. Term that was coined for games like Civilization.

Yes, I have read all the commentary on TI, but it is a moot point because that game is expensive! I'm looking for preferably a print-and-play game.

I know it's expensive compared to "free" but try:

http://www.ccgarmory.com/twim3rdedp.html

Sorry, I don't know of any free ones.

Ha ha guys, very funny. Now who knows of a 4x game that IS NOT Twilight Imperium?

I hear litko aerosystems produces what you are looking for...

Hmm, wasn't really joking ...

Does Race for the Galaxy Count?

Funny, I was thinking about starting a thread on TI. Been playing alot lately, and it's definitely what you're looking for. The rules are free, the combat values are there, as well as the Strategy Cards and examples of balanced maps. It's a little crazy but you could make your own, just cut out action, political and objective cards (and thus victory points) and focus on taking over planets and crushing each other. Just need to do something about a map and pieces...

Does it really take a bijillion hours to play?

H.B.M.C. wrote:Does it really take a bijillion hours to play?

The newest edition is significantly shorter and more integrated than the previous version. Turns are more 'integrated' as each strategy card gives every player a chance to act, instead of each player managing a multiple-phase turn that had minimal opportunities for other players to do anything.. OTOH, the previous version had some very cool random events (things like spawning an invasion fleet that would roam around and kill everything that everyone had to team up to deal with).

In my limited experience as the newest version ships there's a somewhat flawed strategy card that makes it too easy as it gives out 2 out of a required ten VPs just for taking it. They've made an option to make it one or replace it with the expansion, I believe.

Try http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/

There might be something there.

If you have time sort through the 44 pages of "Space Exploration" categories at BBG: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgamecategory/1113/space-exploration

Nothing really jumps out at me though, sorry. I know a few good space dogfight scale or warship scale games, but unfortunately nothing like Masters of Orion on the tabletop.