18EZ is the first 18xx game designed from the ground-up to help players learn the 18xx system. The game uses a series of levels, which allow players play entire games quickly while learning the different phases of the game in bite-size pieces.
For instance, In the first level, players learn how to build and manage routes. In the second, they are introduced to the stock market. Each level adds an element of interest for the new player, and keeps the game exciting.
After completing all of the levels, players should be able to jump right into any 18xx game, without having to learn the entire complex system. They will just need to learn that specific variation, which will allow them to be competitive in what would otherwise be an hours long, painful session!

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The playable area of the 18EZ board is hexagonal. Unlike most 18xx games, it was not intended to represent any specific geographic region, or period of history. Since this is intended to be an entry-level game, the playing area, and most of the components are kept somewhat generic.

Each of the game's six major railroads will start in its own area. This limits interference from other players. In the center of the map, is Metropolis. The one city in the game whose value exceeds all of the others. At each of the six corners of the map is a red area, which represents a connection to areas beyond the scope of the playing area. As Metropolis is in the center, and there is an off-board area near each railroad's starting position, there is a level of equality not available in most 18xx games. Though all of the starting positions are not precisely identical to one another, great effort has been made to offer benefits and drawbacks to each starting position. This will allow up to six players to pursue different avenues toward the same goal: To become the player with the greatest net worth.

The game has been designed with our tongues firmly in our cheeks. For lack of any historical precedent, major railroads are named after colors, and minor railroads after numbers. The cities that are occupied by a railroad are named after that railroad's color, or number (such as "Two-pelo", or "Red-ding.") Cities that are not the home of a railroad are named after significant 18xx game designers.