Rules of BOWIE

Bowie is a game best suited for 3 to 4 players. Each player will play as David Bowie, or more accurately,
a persona of David Bowie. The object of the game is to achieve the greatest legacy and survive the
1970’s. Legacy is judged by points earned from cutting records(flat, black, round- oh, nevermind).
There is one slight problem. The Bowies are imperiled by various threats, dark princes, and figures of
the occult (which is in no way related to the copious amount of cocaine being inhaled by our
hagridden hero). If any Bowie dies, all Bowies are dead and the game is lost.

Each record has a value indicating the amount of legacy if completed and a value indicating
the cost to make the single or album. To record an album or single you must be in the location
indicated at the top of the card and pay the cost by discarding cards. Each album or single card
contributes its value when discarded to pay recording costs. Alternatively, each manager card
discarded lowers the recording cost by one. Only cards with a value or a manager card can
contribute to recording costs.

Once a single is recorded, it contributes to your Bowie’s legacy and no other Bowie may record it.
Additionally, the card has zero value when contributing to threats and recording costs for all other
Bowies. Albums are the same, but they also reduce the value of singles identified on the card in red
text. Example: If the album Diamond Dogs is in play, other Bowies’ play of Diamond Dogs or Rebel
Rebel would have a value of zero when cutting a record or during a threat phase. It would not impact the
legacy (VP) value of “Rebel Rebel” if previously recorded.

Setup

Each player will select one Bowie and draw four cards. Then each Bowie may discard any number of
cards and draw replacements. Once each player has drawn replacements, reshuffle the deck with any
discarded cards and begin play with Ziggy Stardust.
Turn Sequence
Each Bowie may do any two of the following actions (or the same action twice):

• Play a card for its location- slide card beneath your Bowie card showing only its location
• Play a special card
• Cut a record- discard cards of equal value to the cost if location requirement met.
• Use Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane role ability
• Draw a card- draw a card to add to Bowie’s hand. If a manager card is drawn, place it in the center
of the table replacing any manager currently in play. If a threat card is drawn. Assign it to another
Bowie face up and begin a threat phase.

Threat Phase
Threat phases are triggered any time a card is drawn as an action. When drawn, you will assign
the threat to any Bowie but your own. Each threat card has a skull with a value denoting the level of
danger. That level must be reduced to zero by the end of the phase or all Bowies will die.

Starting with the Bowie to the left of the target and proceeding clockwise, each Bowie may play one
card face down toward the threat. Album and single cards will lower the threat by their value.
Manager cards each reduce the threats by 3 when played in this manner. Threat cards contributed face
down will increase the threat by 1. Thin White Duke may only play cards unexamined from the top of
the deck (never from their hand) when contributing to threats targeting other Bowies. After all but the
targeted Bowie have played a card or passed, all played cards are revealed. The targeted Bowie must
then discard enough cards to reduce the threat to zero if possible. If not possible, the targeted Bowie
reveals their hand and the game is over.

If the threat is averted. Each player will draw a replacement card for any played during the threat
phase. The targeted Bowie draws replacements for all of their discarded cards. If any manager cards or
threat cards are drawn during the threat phase, they remain in hand. Back to back threat phases are
never triggered by a single action.

Game End
The game ends when a card must be drawn, but there are none remaining in the deck. Each Bowie will
total legacy to determine a winner. If two or more Bowies are tied, the Bowie with the most records cut
is the winner. If two or more Bowies are still tied, the Bowie with the highest legacy album is the
winner. If still tied, Bowies share an unsatisfying victory. Unlike other games, at least one can take
comfort in knowing that all Bowies are manifestations of the same person regardless of their outcome.

Special Note

I do not have a license for the phenomenal photographs that comprise the artwork for this game. Due
to the many liability issues presented by the material here, this game cannot be sold, however I have
made the print and play files available for personal use. If you download them and enjoy the game, I
ask that you please consider donating a gift to the American Liver Foundation to advance liver cancer
research and support services to patients affected by liver disease.