Stefan Feld is a German designer who has many fine games to his credit (e.g., Notre Dame, In the Year of the Dragon).  Rialto is played on a board which represents Venice but which is really a topological network in an artistic disguise.  Each island is joined to the other by four connections; one bridge (good for the region's value) and one gondola (less good) will be placed in each of the six rounds.  In addition to these connections, player pieces (counselors) will be played into the regions more or less sequentially.  These will contribute to a large scoring at the end of the game.