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Boardgames

Ark Nova

Get ready to build the ultimate zoo in Ark Nova! Accommodate animals, launch conservation projects and boost your zoo's appeal. Strategic gameplay with a conservation twist!

150
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Ark Nova is an enthralling and immersive board game that takes players into the world of zoo management. This strategy-based game is set in the modern era, where you are tasked with running a successful, animal-friendly zoo that thrives on conservation and education.

In the dynamic setting of Ark Nova, you will find yourself immersed in the day-to-day challenges of managing a zoo. The game beautifully combines elements of planning, strategy, and resource management, allowing you to experience the varied aspects of zoo management, from taking care of the animals to attracting visitors.

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Setup and rules summary

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Ark Nova is an engaging board game that takes players into the world of zoo management. The game components are as follows:

1. Game Board

The game board is a colorful representation of a zoo layout. It’s where players track their progress in various aspects such as animal acquisition, building creation, and visitor satisfaction. Each player has their own board on which they set their objectives and keep track of their resources.

2. Cards

There are several types of cards used in Ark Nova:

  • Animal Cards: These represent the animals that players can acquire and house in their zoos. Each card shows the animal’s species, habitat requirement, and visitor appeal.
  • Building Cards: These depict various buildings and amenities that players can add to their zoos. They may include things like food courts, restrooms, and educational exhibits.
  • Event Cards: These cards introduce random events and challenges that players must deal with, such as weather events or sudden changes in animal behaviors.

3. Tokens

There are several types of tokens:

  • Visitor Tokens: These represent your zoo’s visitors. The more visitor tokens a player has, the more successful their zoo is considered.
  • Animal Welfare Tokens: Players use these to track the welfare of animals in their zoos. Maintaining high animal welfare is key to attracting more visitors.
  • Resource Tokens: These symbolize the various resources a player has at their disposal, such as money, food, and building materials. Players use these to purchase cards and build their zoos.

4. Player Pieces

Each player has a set of pieces that represent their zookeepers. These pieces move around the board to perform various actions like acquiring animals or building amenities.

5. Dice

The dice in Ark Nova are used to determine the outcome of various events and challenges. Factors such as animal behavior, visitor reactions, and resource availability can be influenced by dice rolls.

The components of Ark Nova all work together to create a dynamic and immersive experience. As players build their zoos, they must balance resource management, animal welfare, and visitor satisfaction to win the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Ark Nova is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of zoo directors. With a combination of careful planning and quick adaptability, players must build the most prestigious zoological park. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to set up the game:

1. Player Roles:

Each player is a zoo director. Their aim is to build the most prestigious zoo by acquiring animals, constructing buildings, and conducting research. Each player will start with a personal zoo board, a player marker, and initial resources.

2. Board Placement:

Place the main game board in the middle of the table. This board will hold the animal tiles, building tiles, sponsorship tiles, and project cards.

3. Initial Resources:

  • Player Boards: Each player receives a zoo board. This board is divided into different areas to hold the various types of tiles that players will acquire over the course of the game.
  • Player Markers: Each player takes a player marker in their chosen color.
  • Initial Funds: Each player starts with 15 money tokens.
  • Initial Conservation Points: Each player starts with 0 conservation points.

4. Prepare the Tile Supply:

Sort the animal tiles by their backside (grassland, forest, etc.) and put them into separate stacks on the main board. Do the same for the building tiles and sponsorship tiles.

5. Prepare the Card Supply:

Shuffle the project cards and draw five cards. Place them face-up next to the project card draw pile.

6. Random Elements:

The randomness in Ark Nova comes from the draw of animal, building, and sponsorship tiles, as well as the project cards. The order in which these elements appear can drastically change the strategy and outcome of the game.

7. First Player:

Randomly determine the first player. They receive the starting player marker and the game can begin!

Game flow Round and round we go

Ark Nova is a captivating board game where players create and manage their own zoos. This game is divided into multiple phases within each round, and each round consists of various actions that players perform. The game continues until the deck of cards is exhausted, after which final scoring takes place.

The game follows this overall structure:

  1. Setup Phase: Players start by setting up the game board, their individual player boards and each player receives a starting hand of cards.
  2. Card Draw Phase: At the beginning of each round, players draw cards from the deck until they have five cards in hand.
  3. Action Phase: During this phase, players take turns to perform actions. They can play cards from their hand, discard cards to gain resources, build pens and facilities, or attract animals to their zoo. Each action requires spending resources or cards.
  4. End of Round Phase: Once all players have passed, the round ends. Players replenish their resources based on their income, return all spent cards to their hand, and prepare for the next round.

Each round of Ark Nova allows players to strategically expand their zoos, manage their resources, and attract visitors. The player who best balances these aspects and scores the most points by the end of the game wins.

Let’s delve into the actions players can perform during the Action Phase:

  • Play Card: Players can play a card from their hand to perform the action displayed on the card. This can include building pens, improving facilities, or gaining new animals.
  • Discard Card for Resources: Players can discard cards from their hand to gain resources. The type and number of resources gained are displayed on the discarded card.
  • Build Pen/Facility: Players can spend resources to build pens or facilities on their player board. These provide space for animals and offer various benefits.
  • Attract Animal: Players can spend resources to attract animals to their zoo. Each animal requires a specific type of pen and brings a certain number of visitors to the zoo.

Strategically choosing actions and managing resources is key to winning in Ark Nova. With each round, players must adapt to the changing game state and make the most of their opportunities.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game ‘Ark Nova’, players take turns to perform various actions that contribute to the growth and success of their zoo. A player’s turn comprises several key steps:

1. Choosing an Action:

At the start of their turn, a player must choose one of the five available actions. These are:

  • Play a Card: Players can play a card from their hand to either build an enclosure, facilities, or hire staff. These cards possess two features where the top part represents the infrastructure to build and the bottom part represents the staff to hire.
  • Take a Card: Players can take a card from the common display or draw from the deck. These cards are necessary for expanding the zoo, hiring staff, or gaining special abilities.
  • Income: Players can choose to gain income based on their current income level. This is important for affording the costs associated with building and staffing.
  • Sponsorship: Players can increase their sponsorship level. This helps in increasing the income level and the number of visitors.
  • Conservation Projects: Players can initiate conservation projects. This helps in improving the zoo’s reputation and in acquiring new animals.

2. Executing the Action:

After selecting an action, the player performs the corresponding tasks. For example, if a player chooses to play a card, they must pay the required cost and place the card in the appropriate area of their player board.

3. Strategy:

Throughout their turn, players must consider strategies that will best advance their zoo. This might involve focusing on building large enclosures to attract a variety of animals, or investing in conservation projects to boost the zoo’s reputation. Players must also consider the timing of their actions, as some actions may be more beneficial at certain stages of the game.

4. End of Turn:

After performing their chosen action, the player’s turn ends. The next player clockwise then begins their turn. The game continues in this manner until the end-game condition is met.

Every decision a player makes during their turn can significantly affect the outcome of the game. ‘Ark Nova’ requires strategic planning and careful management to successfully build the most prestigious zoo.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Ark Nova is a strategic board game where players compete to build the most impressive and efficient zoo. The game ends under certain conditions and has specific victory conditions which are explained below:

Game End Conditions:

  1. The game ends immediately when a player has filled their entire zoo (all animal pen and construction spaces) with tiles. This player then triggers the final round.
  2. Another condition that ends the game is when the draw pile has been depleted and no more cards can be drawn.

Victory Conditions:

The winner of Ark Nova is determined by the total number of Victory Points (VPs) accumulated. Victory Points can be gained through various means:

  • Animal Pens: Players gain VPs according to the value of the animals they have acquired and placed in their zoo.
  • Constructions: Certain constructions like kiosks, restaurants or toilets, provide additional VPs. The exact number of VPs gained depends on the specific construction.
  • Partnerships: Players can form partnerships with other zoos around the world, which will provide bonus VPs at the end of the game. The number of VPs gained depends on the number and type of partnerships formed.
  • Education: Players can also gain VPs by focusing on education. VPs are awarded for each education marker a player has advanced on their education track.
  • Conservation Projects: Players can contribute to conservation projects, earning VPs based on the level of their contribution.

After the game end conditions have been met, players must take the following actions before final scoring:

  1. Players must ensure all tiles in their zoo are correctly placed according to the game rules.
  2. Each player must count the number of VPs earned from each source (animal pens, constructions, partnerships, education, and conservation projects).
  3. Players add up all their VPs to determine their final score.

The player with the highest total number of VPs is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most remaining money wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Ark Nova is a strategic board game where players compete to build the most prestigious zoo. Scoring is a crucial aspect of the game, and points are awarded in various ways during gameplay. Here are the details:

Scoring During the Game:

  • Exhibit Points: Players receive points for each animal exhibit they establish. The points vary depending on the size and quality of the exhibit.
  • Education Points: Players can earn additional points by investing in education programs. Each program provides a certain number of points.
  • Conservation Points: Points are given for conservation projects. The more significant the project, the more points a player will receive.

Scoring at the End of the Game:

  • Prestige Points: At the end of the game, players receive prestige points based on the overall prestige of their zoo. This is determined by various factors, including the variety of animals, the quality of the exhibits, and the success of their conservation and education efforts.
  • Completion Points: Additional points are awarded for completing certain objectives, such as creating specific types of exhibits or achieving a particular level of conservation or education.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the following rules are applied in order:

  1. The player with the most remaining money wins the tie.
  2. If there is still a tie, the player with the most animal species in their zoo wins.
  3. If a tie persists, all tied players share the victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Ark Nova’ is a complex and strategic board game with a variety of unique rules, exceptions, and clarifications. Here are some important ones to note:

1. Sponsorship Cards: In ‘Ark Nova’, players can use Sponsorship cards to gain funds. However, these cards are only activated once the player has reached a certain level on the popularity track. This is a unique rule that is not commonly seen in other board games.

2. Animal Conservation: A key aspect of ‘Ark Nova’ is the conservation and display of animals. Each animal card has specific requirements in terms of habitat and care. If these requirements are not met, the player cannot display the animal. This not only adds an extra layer of strategy but also emphasises the game’s theme of conservation.

3. Building Enclosures: When building enclosures, players must consider the size and habitat needs of their animals. They must also follow the grid layout on the game board, which can only be modified with specific cards or actions. This presents a spatial puzzle element within the game.

4. Game End: The game ends when a player has built all of their enclosures or when the draw pile has been depleted twice. This means players must carefully plan their actions and strategy to optimize their points before the game ends.

  • Rule Clarifications:
    • Card Actions: Each card can only be used for one action per turn. For example, a card cannot be used to both fundraise and build an enclosure in the same turn.
    • Animal Displays: Animals cannot be moved between enclosures once they have been placed. This rule often requires strategic planning to ensure optimal placement of animals.
    • Popularity Level: Popularity points are not cumulative. Each time a player gains popularity, they move their marker to the indicated number on the track, not add it to their current total.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘Ark Nova’

One effective strategy in ‘Ark Nova’ is to focus on constructing as many animal houses and enclosures as possible. This will help you accumulate more points and increase your cash flow.

Example:

  • Construct a large number of animal houses and enclosures at the beginning of the game to maximize your points and cash flow.
  • Focus on acquiring rare animals as they can bring in more visitors and more revenue.
  • Try to build a diverse range of habitats to increase your overall attractiveness and visitor count.

Beginner Tips for ‘Ark Nova’

If you’re new to ‘Ark Nova’, it’s essential to understand the importance of managing your resources effectively and prioritizing your actions. A balanced approach can help you make the most of each turn.

Example:

  1. Don’t ignore the importance of the actions you take each turn. Each action should contribute to your overall strategy and work towards your end goal.
  2. Take time to understand the different types of animals and their habitats. This will help you make informed decisions when purchasing and placing animals.
  3. Remember to manage your resources effectively. You have limited funds and must use them wisely to build your zoo.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘Ark Nova’

One common mistake in ‘Ark Nova’ is not planning ahead. It’s important to have a long-term strategy and stick to it, rather than changing plans every turn.

Example:

  • Avoid changing your strategy too often. It’s better to stick to a plan and see it through to the end.
  • Don’t overspend on animals without considering their upkeep costs. This can lead to financial troubles later in the game.
  • Avoid focusing too much on one type of habitat. Diversifying your habitats can attract more visitors.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘Ark Nova’

To optimize your gameplay in ‘Ark Nova’, consider the following tips:

Example:

  1. Use your funds wisely. Focus on making investments that will pay off in the long run.
  2. Plan your turns in advance. This will help you make the most of each action and avoid wasting valuable time.
  3. Take advantage of opportunities to score bonus points. These can often make the difference between winning and losing.

Thematics

Mechanics

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Download
Ark Nova official rules
in English

Usefull links

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