Destination (game)

Last updated

Destination
Destination London 10th Anniversary Edition Board Game.jpg
Cover of Destination London 10th Anniversary Edition
Designers Rachel Lowe
Publishers
  • Heathside Trading (2022–)
  • She Who Dares UK Ltd (2010–17)
  • RTL Games Ltd (2004–09)
Publication2004;20 years ago (2004)
Genres Board game
Players2–6
Playing time60 minutes
ChanceModerate (dice rolling, card drawing)
Age range8–12
SkillsStrategy

Destination is a brand of roll-and-move board games first published in 2004. In the original taxi-themed version, players compete as taxi drivers to acquire play money by moving from destination to destination across the board using dice. The game combines chance from rolling dice and drawing chance cards with a degree of strategic decision-making in planning routes and managing resource cards.

Contents

Developed by Portsmouth-based entrepreneur Rachel Lowe, the brand featured in the inaugural British series of Dragons' Den , in which Lowe's investment pitch was rejected. After securing alternative funding, Destination London was published by RTL Games Ltd for Christmas 2004, becoming Hamleys' best-selling game of the year. Since 2004, over twenty-five editions of the game have been published, covering different geographic areas and including licensed versions inspired by Pixar animations, Harry Potter , the London 2012 Olympics, and Downton Abbey .

In May 2009, RTL Games entered administration, and was succeeded by Lowe's new company, She Who Dares UK Ltd. In March 2022, the Destination brand was acquired by Heathside Trading.

Gameplay

Destination is a turn-based, roll-and-move strategic board game. In the original edition, two to six players compete as taxi drivers. Each player starts at a taxi rank with destination cards. [1] They take turns to roll dice, planning routes to reach their destinations across the board. Players can strategically choose routes to maximise money. Having reached their destination, they collect a fare and a fuel card. Players can exchange fuel cards between themselves or buy more at a garage. Among other obstacles, if players land on a traffic light, they must pick up a card, which can yield a range of outcomes, such as free fuel, a speeding fine, and licence points. Players are eliminated if they lose their driving licence or run out of fuel. The winner is the last competitor still in the game at the taxi rank with the most money. [1] [2]

The set-up and game components vary across editions. [1] For example, in Destination Downton Abbey, rather than collecting fares, players – who compete as servants rather than taxi drivers – collect bells from different rooms across the board. [3] In Destination Hogwarts, players compete as new students and win house points by visiting destinations across the board. They can only use one die when travelling by boat or entering the Forbidden Forest, and players can steal points from another player that lands on one of their destination squares. The game ends when the first student returns to their common room, which awards an extra 150 house points. [4]

History

Development

Entrepreneur Rachel Lowe invented the game while working as a taxi driver. [2] [5] [6] After being encouraged by a university lecturer she was transporting, she enrolled as a mature student to study Law and Business at the University of Portsmouth. [6] [7] In 2003, she founded RTL Games Ltd to design and publish the game. [8] Lowe secured funding for the company from a university competition run by the Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise, [2] [5] [6] and raised £12,000 in sponsorship deals with local companies, [6] [9] [10] including Wightlink and the University of Portsmouth. [10] Financial backers liked that the game could function as a souvenir for tourists. [5]

In September 2004, Lowe appeared in the inaugural British series of Dragons' Den , pitching for £75,000 in return for a 35% stake in the company. [5] [9] RTL Games had already secured a deal to release a first edition, but required further investment before it could launch. [9] After struggling to answer questions on the company's finances and the size of the market, Lowe's pitch was rejected. [5] [9] The investors feared that the game could not compete with Monopoly and would struggle to attract press coverage. [11] [12] [13] Commentators consider the pitch among the greatest missed investment opportunities from the television programme. [14] [15] [16]

Following the failure of the Dragons' Den pitch, RTL Games instead secured a loan from the Portsmouth Area Regeneration Trust Group's community development financial institution, which provided the prerequisite funding for marketing and additional stock. [17]

Launch

Toy retailer Hamleys released the first edition, Destination London, for Christmas 2004. [2] [9] The game sold 2,500 copies and was the store's most-sold game of the year, outselling established games like Monopoly. [9] [10] It was later stocked in national retailers including Debenhams, Toys "R" Us, and WHSmith. [6] The second edition, Destination Portsmouth, was launched at the city's Cascades Shopping Centre and sold out within three weeks. [11] [18]

At a 2005 toy fair, Lowe struck a deal with Debenhams to stock Birmingham and Cardiff editions of the game. [9] Further regional editions were developed. While most regional editions explored cities and counties in the United Kingdom, overseas editions covered Paris, [19] Dublin, [20] Delhi, and South Africa. [21] In return for sponsorship, local businesses could be displayed on the boards of local editions. [10] [11] Destination South Africa featured website links and contact details for advertised businesses. [21]

Following a deal with The Walt Disney Company, RTL Games released the brand's first licensed edition. Targeting a junior audience, Destination Animation featured characters and destinations from Pixar animated films. [5] [22]

She Who Dares UK Ltd

In May 2009, RTL Games Ltd entered administration. [23] [24] A Harry Potter –licensed edition of the game, Destination Hogwarts, was delayed after the film release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was postponed by eight months, missing the Christmas 2008 sales, and the bank refused RTL Games the necessary credit to cover the delay. [5] [6] [23] [25] The company's liquidation was widely publicised, and Lowe lost her house. [5] [6] [26] [27] She considered refusing an MBE which was awarded to her for services to business. [5] [28]

In 2010, a BBC Panorama investigation on bank irresponsibility covered the demise of RTL Games Ltd. Angel investor Simon Dolan approached Lowe after her appearance in the documentary, and together they launched a new lifestyle company, She Who Dares UK Ltd, which acquired the Destination brand. [5] [6] [26] [27] Destination Hogwarts ultimately debuted at the London Film Museum in July 2011. [24] [27] [29]

Lowe secured a licensing deal to release two Olympic-themed editions ahead of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, [5] Destination London 2012 and a junior Destination London 2012 Sports. [24] [30] A further licensing deal followed in Destination Downton Abbey, inspired by the historical drama series. [10] [27]

In 2014, British retailer John Lewis agreed to stock a 10th anniversary edition of Destination London. [17] Other 10th anniversary editions followed in the mid-2010s, including republications of Destination Birmingham and Destination Isle of Wight. [28] [31]

Lowe resigned from She Who Dares UK Ltd in July 2017. [32] In the same year, her new board game company, Rachel Lowe Games & Puzzles, was incorporated; [33] although no new editions were released, Destination formed part of the company's portfolio by the time of the brand's acquisition by Heathside Trading in 2022. [34] In 2020, the company published a licensed board game for period drama series Call the Midwife . [35] While not part of the Destination brand, the gameplay is similar, with players planning routes to deliver babies across the board. [36] [37]

In 2023 Lowe announced a 20th Anniversary Edition of Destination Portsmouth would launch [38]

Heathside Trading

In March 2022, Destination was acquired by toy and games distributor Heathside Trading, which announced plans to launch national editions in 2023 and 20th anniversary celebratory editions in 2024. [34] In April 2023, Lowe announced a fundraiser to launch a 20th anniversary edition of Destination Portsmouth. [18] [39] Expected to launch in December 2023, the game will feature a double-sided board for day and night shifts. [40]

Editions

Over twenty-five editions of the game have been published. [17]

Cities

  • Destination Birmingham (2007) [41]
  • Destination Brighton & Hove [42]
  • Destination Bournemouth & Poole (2008) [43]
  • Destination Cardiff (2006) [2]
  • Destination Delhi
  • Destination Dublin (2007) [20]
  • Destination London (2004; in Mini, Travel, and 10th Anniversary editions) [5]
  • Destination New York
  • Destination Norwich
  • Destination Paris (2007) [19]
  • Destination Portsmouth (2003 in 10th Anniversary; 2023 in 20th Anniversary "Day & Night" edition)
  • Destination Sheffield
  • Destination Southampton (2008) [11]
  • Destination Suffolk

Other areas

  • Destination Great Britain
  • Destination Isle of Wight (2008; also in 10th Anniversary edition) [44] [31]
  • Destination South Africa (2007) [21]
  • Destination Scotland
  • Destination The World

Themed editions

  • Destination Animation (Pixar-themed)
  • Destination Christmas (2015) [45]
  • Destination Downton Abbey
  • Destination Hogwarts (2011) [24] [27]
  • Destination London 2012 [24]
  • Destination London 2012 Sports (junior theme) [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i> Fantasy role-playing game

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally created and designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TSR). It has been published by Wizards of the Coast, later a subsidiary of Hasbro, since 1997. The game was derived from miniature wargames, with a variation of the 1971 game Chainmail serving as the initial rule system. D&D's publication is commonly recognized as the beginning of modern role-playing games and the role-playing game industry, and also deeply influenced video games, especially the role-playing video game genre.

<i>Risk</i> (game) 1957 map-based war board game

Risk is a strategy board game of diplomacy, conflict and conquest for two to six players. The standard version is played on a board depicting a political map of the world, divided into 42 territories, which are grouped into six continents. Turns rotate among players who control armies of playing pieces with which they attempt to capture territories from other players, with results determined by dice rolls. Players may form and dissolve alliances during the course of the game. The goal of the game is to occupy every territory on the board and, in doing so, eliminate the other players. The game can be lengthy, requiring several hours to multiple days to finish. European versions are structured so that each player has a limited "secret mission" objective that shortens the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizards of the Coast</span> American game publisher

Wizards of the Coast LLC or Wizards) is an American publisher of games, most of which are based on fantasy and science-fiction themes, and formerly an operator of games retail stores. In 1999, toy manufacturer Hasbro acquired the company and currently operates it as a subsidiary. During a February 2021 reorganization of Hasbro, WotC became the lead part of a new division called "Wizards & Digital".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owlbear</span> Fictional monster from Dungeons & Dragons

An owlbear is a fictional creature originally created for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak. Inspired by a plastic toy made in Hong Kong, Gary Gygax created the owlbear and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement; the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game. Owlbears, or similar beasts, also appear in several other fantasy role-playing games, video games and other media.

<i>Ticket to Ride</i> (board game) Board game

Ticket to Ride is a series of railway-themed Eurogames designed by Alan R. Moon, the first of which was released in 2004 by Days of Wonder. The game has sold over 10 million copies, amounting to a total estimated revenue of over $400 million (USD). Days of Wonder has released electronic versions of the board games in the series, as well as "Ticket to Ride"-themed card games and puzzles.

An action role-playing game is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre.

<i>Labyrinth</i> (board game) Board game

Labyrinth is a board game for two to four players, published by Ravensburger in 1986.

<i>Jumanji</i> 1995 film directed by Joe Johnston

Jumanji is a 1995 American fantasy comedy adventure film directed by Joe Johnston from a screenplay by Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor and Jim Strain, based on the 1981 children's picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. The film is the first installment in the Jumanji film series. It stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and Bebe Neuwirth. The story centers on a supernatural board game that releases jungle-based hazards on its players with every turn they take.

Lego <i>Harry Potter</i> Lego theme based on the Harry Potter film series

Lego Harry Potter is a Lego theme based on the film series of the same name and the eponymous novels by British author J. K. Rowling. It is licensed from Warner Bros. Lego models of important scenes, vehicles and characters were made for the first six films and all of the published books. The first sets appeared in 2001, to coincide with the release of the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Subsequent sets were released alongside the new films, until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The line then went dormant for three years, with sets being released in 2010 and 2011. In 2018, it was announced that more sets based on the Harry Potter franchise would be released, including new sets based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Lowe</span> British entrepreneur (born 1977)

Rachel Tanya Lowe MBE is a British serial entrepreneur and board games developer. She is best known for developing the Destination series of games, including editions for Toy Story, the London 2012 Olympic Games and Downton Abbey.

The Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game has been adapted into many related products, including magazines, films and video games.

Lego Games is a discontinued product range of the construction toy Lego. The theme was first introduced in 2009.

<i>The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim</i> 2011 video game

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a 2011 action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fifth main installment in The Elder Scrolls series, following The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), and was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on November 11, 2011.

<i>Catan</i> Multi-player competitive board game

Catan, previously known as The Settlers of Catan or simply Settlers, is a multiplayer board game designed by Klaus Teuber. It was first published in 1995 in Germany by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag (Kosmos) as Die Siedler von Catan. Players take on the roles of settlers, each attempting to build and develop holdings while trading and acquiring resources. Players gain victory points as their settlements grow and the first to reach a set number of victory points, typically 10, wins. The game and its many expansions are also published by Catan Studio, Filosofia, GP, Inc., 999 Games, Κάισσα (Káissa), and Devir. Upon its release, The Settlers of Catan became one of the first Eurogames to achieve popularity outside Europe. As of 2020, more than 32 million copies in 40 languages had been sold.

<i>Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery</i> Role-playing video game

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a role-playing video game developed and published by Jam City under license from Portkey Games. The game is set in the Wizarding World and based on the Harry Potter novels written by J.K. Rowling. Hogwarts Mystery follows a player character entering the fictional school of Hogwarts and is set before the events of the novels. The game released on 25 April 2018 for Android and iOS devices. Many of the actors from the Harry Potter film series provided their voices for the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portkey Games</span> Video game label

Portkey Games is a video game label owned by Warner Bros. Games founded in 2017 and dedicated to creating gaming experiences related to the Wizarding World. In the beginning, the company's primary focus was on publishing mobile games, but in 2023, they diversified by launching Hogwarts Legacy for both PC and consoles.

<i>Harry Potter</i> video games Licensed video games based on the Harry Potter novels

The Harry Potter video games are a series of video games based on the Wizarding World franchise originally created by J. K. Rowling. Many of the Harry Potter-inspired video games are tie-ins to the film adaptations of the same name. The main series features a video game for every film. There are multiple distinct versions for individual games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Critical Role Productions</span> Multimedia production company

Critical Role Productions, LLC is a multimedia production company incorporated in 2015 by the members of the creator-owned streaming show Critical Role. The first two shows from the company, Critical Role and Talks Machina, originally premiered on Geek & Sundry. The company moved to their own studio space in 2018, and began putting out new shows on their own Twitch and YouTube channels. A split from Legendary Digital Networks was completed in early 2019, at which point Critical Role Productions took over production responsibility and since then has continued to launch new shows independently.

<i>Hogwarts Legacy</i> 2023 video game

Hogwarts Legacy is a 2023 action role-playing game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Games under its Portkey Games label. The game is part of the Wizarding World franchise, taking place a century prior to the events chronicled in the Harry Potter novels. The player controls a student enrolled in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who learns to wield an array of magical abilities and objects. With the assistance of fellow students and professors, the protagonist embarks on a journey to unearth an ancient secret concealed within the wizarding world.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Brown, Sophie (13 August 2013). "Destination: Great Family Games for Casual Gamers". GeekMom. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Taxi board game rejected by Dragon's Den makes Wales its next destination". WalesOnline . 10 November 2006. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Downton Abbey: The Board Game #Review". www.whatkatysaid.com. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Destination Board Games Hogwarts". Amazon . Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Tabbitt, Sue (29 October 2012). "Bouncing back from bankruptcy". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Teuton, Dan (25 February 2013). "Rachel Lowe – She Who Dares". The Business Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "Finding a creative approach: Read about graduate Rachel Lowe's entrepreneurial journey". University of Portsmouth . 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ↑ "RTL GAMES LIMITED filing history". Companies House . Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Heald, Claire (7 February 2007). "Pass go, collect £2m". BBC News . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Thomas, Charlie; Driscoll, Brogan (5 November 2012). "Rachel Lowe's Journey From Cab Driver To Board Game Developer". HuffPost UK . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Destined for our city". Southern Daily Echo . 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  12. ↑ Everett, Charlotte (6 November 2021). "Dragons' Den stars turned down board game that went on to outsell Monopoly". Daily Mirror . Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  13. ↑ King, Chris (14 November 2021). "Dragon's Den reject rakes in a fortune with board game". EuroWeekly News . Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "The UK Dragons' Den rejects who went on to make millions". lovefood.com. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  15. ↑ Kettle, Emilia (5 January 2023). "BBC Dragon's Den: The biggest missed opportunities". The National . Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "Dragon slain by cabbie Rachel". The Northern Echo . 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Barrow, Colin (2013). The 30 Day MBA in Business Finance: Your Fast Track Guide to Business Success (2nd ed.). Croydon: Kogan Page. p. 114. ISBN   978-0749469900. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Destination Portsmouth 20th Anniversary Board Game". Crowdfunder UK. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Destination Paris (bilingual) Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  20. 1 2 "Destination Dublin Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 "All aboard for SA". Bizcommunity. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  22. ↑ "Mitcham Market opens for business". Merton London Borough Council . 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  23. 1 2 Rawlinson, Kevin (13 June 2009). "MBE for Dragons' Den star (Shame her business has just gone under)". The Independent . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pockberger, Siobhan. "Celebrating Women at the University of Portsmouth". University of Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "Bank breaks Harry Potter spell". BBC News. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  26. 1 2 "Game on for Rachel Lowe ahead of new launch". Insider Media Ltd. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 Tatton, Fiona (2 July 2014). "'SHE WHO DARES' Entrepreneur Rachel Lowe MBE on bouncing back – Womanthology". Womanthology. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  28. 1 2 Hurst, Ben (13 December 2015). "Rachel Lowe is back in the game after savaging by TV's Dragons". Business Live. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Destination Hogwarts: The Boardgame". www.game.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  30. ↑ "Rachel back on top with Olympic game". Daily Echo . 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Destination Isle of Wight Board Game 10th Anniversary Edition". Amazon . Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "SHE WHO DARES UK LTD people". Companies House . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "RACHEL LOWE LIMITED overview". Companies House . Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Heathside Trading announces worldwide licensing deal for Destination games". Toy World Magazine. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  35. ↑ "Call The Midwife Board Game". Waterstones . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  36. ↑ "Call the Midwife - The Board Game". Penny Plays. 17 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  37. ↑ "Call The Midwife Board Game". Rachel Lowe Games & Puzzles . Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  38. ↑ "Entrepreneur Rachel Lowe reveals 20th anniversary of Destination Portsmouth board game is waiting at the cab rank".
  39. ↑ Lowe, Rachel (14 April 2023). "Destination Portsmouth 20th Anniversary Board Game!" (video). YouTube . Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  40. ↑ Waldron, Mark (20 June 2023). "Entrepreneur Rachel Lowe reveals 20th anniversary of Destination Portsmouth board game is waiting at the cab rank". The News . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  41. ↑ "Destination Birmingham Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  42. ↑ "Destination Brighton & Hove Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  43. ↑ Vass, Melanie (15 February 2008). "Rachel picks a destination to our towns". Bournemouth Daily Echo . Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  44. ↑ "Destination Isle of Wight Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  45. ↑ "Destination Christmas Board Game". Amazon . Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.