Kingmaking in Board Games

Kingmaking happens when a player who is unlikely or unable to win can still decide which other player wins. Some interaction is healthy. The problem appears when endgame incentives push trailing players to abandon their own outcome and determine someone else’s.

How we frame it

Board Game Balance Lab treats kingmaking as part of broader endgame interference analysis. The review looks at whether trailing players still have meaningful self-interested choices, whether blocking is forced, and whether the official ending creates unnecessary interference after the game is functionally decided.

• Can trailing players still improve their own result?
• Are players forced to block instead of pursue their own strategy?
• Does the game continue after the likely winner is already established?
• Does turn order give one player disproportionate final influence?