Schichtwechsel takes you deep underground into the Ruhr Valley coal mines of 1950s West Germany. In this atmospheric worker placement game, players manage a coal mining operation across 5 rounds — sending miners down the shafts, upgrading equipment, managing shifts, and competing to become the most productive colliery in the region. Postwar Germany is rebuilding, and coal is the fuel driving it all.
Designed by Thomas Spitzer and published by Spielefaible, Schichtwechsel is a thematically rich strategy experience with lovingly crafted components and a sense of place that makes every decision feel grounded. The game rewards long-term planning: the best mine operators balance workforce efficiency with infrastructure investment across multiple interdependent production chains.
Highlights
Deep worker placement set in the 1950s Ruhr coal industry
5-round structure with escalating strategic depth
High-quality components with detailed thematic design
2–4 players | 60–120 min | Age 12+ | Languages: English & German
Designer: Thomas Spitzer | Publisher: Spielefaible
