Free downloadable "Do-It-Yourself" version of the game Höyük.

3-4 players;
60-90 min. per game;
2hrs average crafting time.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

9,500 years ago in the Near East thrived the first "urban" villages. Some of the biggest settlements, like Çatalhöyük in Turkey, may have been occupied over more than ten centuries by several thousands of people.

One of the characteristics of these villages is that older houses were dismantled in purpose to be used as a foundation for a new building built directly on top. Thus, century after century, the level of the ground would progressively rise to form a small mound, or "höyük" in Turkish.

You can learn more on the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük (still under excavation) on www.catalhoyuk.com.

THE GAME

You will play a Clan which settles its families with other Clans to erect a village. Höyük is a game of building and placement played without a board. The replica of a village is built on the table using small square pieces representing houses. They can be stacked on each other, giving a vivid representation of what could have been these prehistoric cities.

Höyük Gets an Award !

on July 15 2007 Höyük received the Game Designers Trophee at the Game Festival in Parthenay (France). This has been a real nice surprise. During 4 days, the public of the festival was playing and grading 14 prototypes of games. In paralel, a jury made of professionnals of the game industry was doing the same. In the end, both grades for each competitor were combined and the highest average won : HOYUK !
Also congratulations to the second, Jean Marc Courtil and his Naja; and the 3rd Bernard Georget and his Chromocode.

A new look for a new version!

(04 May 08) His name is Orlando Ramirez and his computer graphic skills are surely close to a good 5D+2. He treated me a nice new colored version of my B&W grahics of Höyük, as well as a glittering rules booklet. I used this occasion to release the English 1.37 version of the game. Whoever has already crafted the 1.36 version: don't panick! You can play the 1.37 with only a few adjustments of the game material.
One thing sure, this new rules booklet and game pieces all look super neat, but neat eats your color cartridge. So in case you'd prefer a less flashy artwork, I also included my own version of the whole thing.

Orlando's artwork is available for download right here, in color pdf format: the rules booklet (6.3MB), and the game pieces (9.9MB). Enjoy!

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS

I made a special GeekList here on BoardgameGeek.com where all my games are in display on the same page. You can go there to leave your comments, questions, variants, etc.