Market Index
During the early design phase of Due Diligence, we spotted a major gap in the tabletop gaming world. Plenty of stock market themed games claim to teach investing, but most of them miss the mark. They limit players to just a handful of “company” choices, reinforcing the dangerous myth that successful investing is about picking the right individual company. In reality, every major stock exchange offers thousands of companies to invest in. For most of us, that endless sea of options can feel overwhelming. That disconnect between how stock market investing is taught, and how it should actually be represented in board games is exactly why Due Diligence was created.
After nearly two decades of hands-on investing experience, one lesson stood above the rest: dollar-cost-average into the S&P 500. Time and time again, personal attempts at picking individual winners fell short. And time and time again, the same advice proved true: over the long term, the S&P500 will beat every attempt you make at out-performing the market. Due Diligence turns that hard-earned wisdom into an engaging, approachable experience.
In Due Diligence, the Market Index balances player outcomes by reducing the impact of turn order. You may recognize this concept from other games where the first player often has an advantage.
Similarly, in the real world, the market index serves as the balance of the whole market. It represents the combined performance of many companies, providing a more stable and accurate picture of the overall market rather than the success or failure of any single stock.
Watch this video to learn about investing in the S&P500 from one of the world’s most successful and well known investors of all time.
Disclaimer: Due Diligence is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. The game is designed to illustrate general stock market concepts through simplified gameplay. In-game experiences and outcomes should not be relied upon for real-world investing decisions. Players are encouraged to conduct their own independent research and consult trusted, reputable sources before making any real-world investment decisions.