c. The fact that expatriates do not know how to avoid doing illegal activities and still be successful.

d. The fact that their home country and the foreign country business environments, cultures, and governments are continually interactive and must be simultaneously managed together, which is difficult at best.

e. The fact that expatriates are alienated from their own families and Culture, language and religion and are simultaneously surrounded by foreign ones.

f. The fact that everything initially proceeds at a very slow pace compared to the pace of things in their home county for many valid and sometimes frustrating reasons.

The board game illustrates these points and many more.  Players are then forced to make appropriate decisions regarding them in order to consistently win in the board game and in actual practice.

2. Since the game is based on experiences in Indonesia, how can I be sure that the game is actually relevant to other Third World Countries?

The game’s designers are associated with individuals from over 105 countries and participate in various global anti corruption conferences.  Many of these individuals who come from Third World Countries have indicated that business practices portrayed in the game are in use in their countries.  The games designers are also associated with Transparency International (TI), the main global corruption tracking organization.  Corruption practices outlined by TI in their numerous publications validate the game’s main themes presence in Third World Countries.

3. What is the difference between the game’s “Standard Option” and “Players’ Option” and why would I choose one or the other?

To configure the game for the “Players’ Option”, the four cards (one from each card stack) with “goodbye” in bold on them are removed (not the goodbye or good luck card in the Government card stack).  By removing these cards (the game ending cards for which there is no insurance) the game’s playing time is extended dramatically.  Removal of these cards emphasizes the skill of players over luck in the business environment.  This option is more fun when families and friends play.
The “Standard Option” is more realistic and balances skill and luck in a realistic way.  This option is better for seminars and classes on Third World international business.

4. One of the game cards shows a requirement for 5 or more Tanks.  Since I am only allowed 5 Tanks on a property, how is it possible for me to have more than 5 Tanks?

It is possible to have more than 5 Tanks when you have more than one property and have developed more than one property beyond the 3 factory requirement.  This situation usually occurs later in the game and is more common when using the “Players Option” of Xemorpheum™.

5. What does Xemorpheum® mean?

Xemorpheum® (pronounced Ze•morph•e•um) means “ever changing coliseum” and is a registered trademark of Richard N. Gottbreht.  The ever changing theme of the name, Xemorpheum®, is based on the idea that the world is always changing and the game can be easily changed to keep up.  “Morph” and “Coliseum” are the root words used in the name’s creation. 

6. Why is Richmania the name of the country in which Xemorpheum® is played?

The name Richmania was adopted because the game is won by people who can acquire the most wealth (riches).

7. Are any of the names used in the game real countries?

So as not to be offensive to existing countries, all names used in the game are fictitious and derived from many different root words.

8. Is there any significance to the color scheme and quality?

The selection of colors for the game was done by a Filipino graphic arts student based on the bold bright colors popular in her mother’s home country.  Certain quality issues were intentionally left in the board and cards to remind players and facilitators that quality issues abound in Third World Countries and that quality issues are often used by corrupt leaders and business people as reasons to seek outside investment.  Portions of such investment are easily tapped through corruption schemes.  Quality issues in the game instructions or on the box are listed on the website and will be corrected in the next production cycle.

9. What is the real reason for the complex whistle blower rules?

Whistle blowers abound, both at home and abroad, and have many reasons to report on your actions to anyone and everyone.  In today's internet world, our behavior outside our country can be instantly communicated to people in our home countries and to people in the country where we work. This forms a double edge sword as corrupt people can pressure you to do things their way in their country if you break our laws or theirs.  Also, people from our country working in Third World Countries can report our misdeeds to companies, press or law enforcement back home.  Illegal activities on the part of expatriates can start them on the slippery slope to a very unhappy future owned by other people.

10. Is there such a thing as “sudden death bankruptcy” in actual practice?

Yes, “sudden death bankruptcy” is quite common in Third World business environments due to the many and varied types of problems having to do with foreign governments, banks, partners, currency variations, environmental conditions, social problems and so on.  It is also quite common in small businesses all around the world.

11. What if I do not believe in or want insurance.  Can I win without it?

It is possible to win some games without buying insurance of any kind.  Generally, the amount of wealth accumulated by players who do not buy insurance is significantly less than those who buy insurance and use it well.  It is impossible to consistently win without buying insurance.

12. Is the massive currency decline card affecting all uninsured players a reality in the world today and what causes such dramatic declines in currency value?

Yes, massive currency declines still happen and are a great concern for governments dealing with large developing economies such as China.  Corruption is one of the main reasons for currency value fluctuations and business delays.  Another major cause of currency declines is a country’s trade surplus or deficit. 

13. Is there enough cash to win?  I ran out too soon!

Yes, there is enough cash in the beginning of the game for every player to have a fair chance of winning, as long as they are good at managing cash and expansion of properties.  Cash management is critical during the game, and in actual practice, as there are many unforeseen expenses and payments that can be triggered by business performance issues, currency problems, social unrest, natural disasters, and corruption and so on. 

14. What is the role of the prison and how is it related to our country, Third World Countries and the board game?

Foreign business environments are almost completely autonomous and when you work in or visit them you are required to obey their laws.  If you break one of their laws you are on your own as far as the US and its embassies are concerned and can be tried under their laws and sent to their jails and institutions.  Also, foreign business environment jails and prisons are very bad places to be.  This sets up a perfect counterbalance to laws like our FCPA making it easy for ex-pats to look the other way on corruption activities.  The board game illustrates this and emphasizes some of the ways expatriates can get into trouble when working in Third World Counties.

15. Why is there a “Security and Food” payment at the beginning of each player’s turn when they are in Prison?

In many Third World Countries, the governments do not provide for prisoner safety or food.  This burden is left to the prisoner’s family and friends. 

16. Are there other things than food and security fees in Prison that Third World Country people must pay for that might surprise someone from a developed country?

Yes, many Third World governments do not honor developed country social policies such as providing an education from kindergarten thru high school or providing pensions for senior citizens.

17. When a player is in prison, can they blow the whistle on other players and can other players blow the whistle on them?

Players in Prison cannot blow the whistle on other players.  On the other hand, Players in Prison may have the whistle blown on them for rule violations and face the same penalties as other players for being caught.  Also, Players who are falsely accused by other players while in Prison are eligible for payments from false whistle blowers.

18. When can a whistle be blown on a Player in Prison?

When the Player draws a Prison Card or rolls the dice trying for doubles.

19. Is a “bribe” the only illegal payment act in foreign countries?

No, there are many illegal payment forms of which you should become intimately familiar with before working in a foreign county.  The board game creators use the term “bribe” because it is one of the more easily understood terms and is illegal in almost all countries.

20. What is the difference between a “bribe” and a “facilitation payment”

“Bribes” are usually paid in order to get someone to perform an illegal act(s) and are considered a crime.  “Facilitation payments” (aka. expedite fees) are fees paid to someone to speed up their normal flow of work for you or your company.  “Facilitation payments” are generally legal and must be reported on the business books. 

21. Why does the player who draws “earthquake” and “hurricane” cards get to choose which of his properties to have the damage occur on?

This was done to give players more decisions to make during the game as was suggested by several players.

22. Why does the player who draws cards that allow a payment to attack get to pick which opponent to attack?

Although not obvious by the words in these two cards, the governments in Third World Countries often pit one group against another to protect their own wealth and power.  Witness such attacks by the various groups in Iraq (before and after the U.S. invasion) as a current and valid example of such attacks and the long term problems they create.  Also, these cards show that for a price anything can be arranged in most Third World Countries.  For example, an assassin can be hired to kill a troublesome individual for less than $500 (U.S.) in most Third World Countries.

23. What are the consequences of attacking other players in the game and in actual practice?

In actual practice attacking other businesses is a huge problem because it sets up endless cycles of retribution, which can last over very long periods of time and create enormous financial and humanitarian problems.  Witness such attacks by the various groups in Iraq (before and after the U.S. invasion) as current and valid examples of such problems.

24. Why can I get knocked out for both paying a “bribe” and not paying a “bribe”?

This situation arises because expatriates have to find ways to deal with informal rules requiring “bribes” to be paid to all manner of people in power.  Although “bribes” are almost always illegal, many people with authority to grant business permission will not do so unless they get some form of “bribe” or other illegal payment.  Businesses that pay “bribes” initially are often required to pay them again when licenses are renewed or their licenses can be revoked for any manner of made up reason.
On the other side of the equation is that if you pay a “bribe” and your home country finds out, they will bring you back home, make you pay fines and/or put you in prison.
In actual practice, “bribes” are criminal acts with no “statute of limitations” so once you pay them, the people you paid them to can blackmail you for the rest of their life if they want.  In addition, if whistle blowers find out they can report you immediately or blackmail you if they want.
If you are interested in winning the board game faster, paying bribes might work.  However, while this may work in some instances, the only way to consistently win the Xemorpheum® board game is never to pay a “bribe”. 

25. Are medical issues really as common as indicated by the cards in the game?

Medical issues abound and account for significant lost productivity.  While a problem in normal times, medical issues and lost productivity associated with them skyrocket.

26. Why the persistent military themes?

Most Third World Countries are in some way controlled or manipulated by the countries military, which exists as much to control the countries citizens as to prevent invading armies.  This fact must be recognized and managed for real world success.

27. Why are their cards relating to expatriates and their families?

Management of expatriates and their families is a part of many Third World Country operations.  Issues in this area are particularly difficult since companies have no real power or control over families and it costs a lot to bring families along or send them back if there are serious problems.

28. Why does it seem so hard to get around the board the first time?

The main reason for this is that players experience the delays and problems offered by the games design and card stacks.  In actual practice, companies are told to at least double their planned time frames from home expectations to accomplish the same things in Third World Countries.

29. What are the best approaches and strategies to win at Xemorpheum®?

There are many approaches that will help a player win; however, in the “Standard Option”, luck plays a major role in addition to skill.  In the “Players’ Option”, luck is less of a factor but still comes into play. 

The Xemorpheum® Facilitator Guide contains a “Strategies That Work” page, which lists these important strategies: