Destination (game)

''Destination'' is a brand of taxi-themed board games first published in 2004. Players compete as taxi drivers to acquire play money by moving from destination to destination using dice.

Developed by Portsmouth-based entrepreneur Rachel Lowe, the original ''Destination London'' was published by RTL Games Ltd for Christmas 2004, becoming Hamleys' best-selling game of the year. Since 2004, over twenty 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 taxi-inspired turn-based, roll-and-move strategic board game. Two to six players compete as taxi drivers. In the classic game, each player starts at a taxi rank with destination cards. They take turns to roll dice, planning routes to reach their destinations across the board. The routes can be strategically chosen to maximise money. Having reached their destination, players collect a fare and a fuel card. Players can exchange these 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, from free fuel to a speeding fine or 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. The set-up and game components vary in some editions.

History

Launch and development

Entrepreneur Rachel Lowe invented the game whlie working as a taxi driver. In 2003, she founded RTL Games Ltd to design and publish the game. Lowe secured funding for the company from an enterprise competition at the University of Portsmouth, where she was a mature student reading Law and Business, and £12,000 in sponsorship deals with local companies, including Wightlink and the University of Portsmouth.

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. After struggling to answer questions on the company's finances and the size of the market, her pitch was rejected.

Toy retailer Hamleys launched the first edition, ''Destination London'', for Christmas 2004. The game sold 2,500 copies and was the store's most-sold game of the year, beating classic games like ''Monopoly''. It was later stocked in national retailers including Debenhams, Toys "R" Us, and WHSmith. At a 2005 toy fair, Lowe struck a deal with Debenhams to stock Birmingham and Cardiff editions of the game.

She Who Dares UK Ltd

In May 2009, RTL Games Ltd entered administration. 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.'''' The company's liquidation was widely publicised, and Lowe lost her house.

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. ''Destination Hogwarts'' was ultimately launched at the London Film Museum in July 2011.

Lowe secured a licensing deal to release two Olympic-themed editions ahead of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, ''Destination London 2012'' and a junior ''Destination London 2012 Sports.'' A further licensing deal followed in ''Destination Downton Abbey'', inspired by the hit ITV historical drama series.

Lowe resigned from She Who Dares UK Ltd in July 2017. ''Destination'' became part of Lowe's new board game company, Rachel Lowe Games & Puzzles.

Heathside Trading

In March 2022, the brand was acquired by toy and games distributor Heathside Trading, which announced plans to launch national editions in 2023 and 20th annivesary celebratory editions in 2024.

Editions

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

Cities

* ''Destination Birmingham'' (2007)
* ''Destination Brighton & Hove''
* ''Destination Bournemouth & Poole'' (2008)
* ''Destination Cardiff'' (2006)
* ''Destination Delhi''
* ''Destination Dublin'' (2007)
* ''Destination London'' (2004; in Mini, Travel, and 10th Anniversary editions)
* ''Destination New York''
* ''Destination Norwich''
* ''Destination Paris'' (2007)
* ''Destination Portsmouth''
* ''Destination Sheffield''
* ''Destination Southampton''
* ''Destination Suffolk''

Other areas

* ''Destination Great Britain''
* ''Destination Isle of Wight'' (2008; also in 10th Anniversary edition)
* ''Destination South Africa''
* ''Destination Scotland''
* ''Destination The World''

Themed editions

* ''Destination Animation'' (Pixar-themed)
* ''Destination Christmas'' (2015)
* ''Destination Downton Abbey''
* ''Destination Hogwarts'' (2011)
* ''Destination London 2012''
* ''Destination London 2012 Sports'' (junior theme)

References

External links

*

Destination Boardgames

Board games introduced in 2004
Economic simulation board games
Roll-and-move board games

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