Boardgames

Gaia Project

Dive into Gaia Project, an evolution of Terra Mystica! Engage in planetary terraforming, enhance faction skills, and leverage advanced technologies as you compete to colonize across ten variable sectors. A game of strategy and endless replayability!

150
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Heavy

About the game

Welcome to Gaia Project, a game where interstellar exploration and colonization have become the new frontier of excitement and competition. This game is a journey into the vast, uncharted territories of outer space where you’ll command one of 14 unique, alien races, each with its own distinct abilities and play styles. The setting of this game is a sprawling galaxy filled with habitable planets just waiting to be colonized and exploited for their resources.

The theme of Gaia Project is deeply rooted in science fiction and space exploration. The game’s mechanics, however, are grounded in strategic resource management, area control, and tech tree advancement. This blend of thematic immersion and strategic gameplay makes Gaia Project a uniquely engaging experience.

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Setup and rules summary

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Gaia Project is a complex strategy board game with many components, each playing a unique role in the gameplay. Here is a detailed description of each component:

1. Game Board: The game board in Gaia Project is modular, made up of several sector tiles. These tiles are used to represent different areas of the galaxy, each containing several types of planets.

2. Faction Boards: There are 14 unique faction boards in Gaia Project. Each faction has its own special abilities, income, structures, and terraforming costs. The faction board is where players track their resources and structures.

3. Research Board: The research board is where players advance their technology. It is divided into six tracks, each representing a different type of technology.

4. Structures: These are the buildings players can construct on the planets they have colonized. There are four types of structures: Mines, Trading Houses, Research Labs, and Planetary Institutes.

  • Mines: Mines provide resources and are a primary means of expanding across the galaxy.
  • Trading Houses: Trading Houses increase your income and provide power when built.
  • Research Labs: Building a Research Lab allows a player to advance on one of the six technology tracks.
  • Planetary Institutes: Each Planetary Institute provides a unique ability for its faction.

5. Spaceships: Spaceships are used to measure the range of a player’s colonization efforts. They can be upgraded through technology advances.

6. Terraforming Track: The terraforming track indicates how easily a faction can terraform various types of planets.

7. Power Tokens: Power tokens represent the energy of a player’s faction. They are used to power various special actions.

8. Resource Tokens: There are three types of resource tokens: Ore, Knowledge, and Credits. These are used to pay costs for various actions such as building structures, advancing on the technology tracks, and terraforming planets.

9. Round Scoring Tiles: These tiles determine the scoring for each round. They add variability and strategic depth to the game.

10. Final Scoring Tiles: These tiles determine the scoring at the end of the game. They add a long-term strategic element to the game.

11. Tech Tiles: Tech tiles provide immediate and ongoing benefits when gained. They are gained by advancing on the technology tracks.

12. Booster Tiles: Booster tiles provide a range of benefits from additional resources, increased range for colonization, or improved terraforming capabilities. At the end of each round, players select a new booster tile.

13. Federation Tokens: Federation tokens are earned by forming Federations. They provide significant one-time and ongoing benefits.

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

Gaia Project is a complex and immersive board game that requires careful setup for the best experience. Here is a detailed guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Prepare the Game Components

  • Unfold the game board and place it in the center of the play area.
  • Sort the structure tokens (mines, trading stations, research labs, academies, and planetary institutes) by type and color and place them within reach of all players.
  • Create a supply of resources (ore, knowledge, credit, qic) nearby.
  • Place the round scoring tiles on the corresponding spaces of the scoring board.
  • Place the “Lost Planet” token and the Gaia Project tokens near the game board.

Step 2: Determine Player Roles

  • Each player chooses a faction board and takes the structure tokens, action tokens, and other components of the corresponding color.
  • Each player places a marker on the 0/40 space of the scoring track, on the lowest (0) space of their Gaia Project track, and on the starting space of their research areas.

Step 3: Place the Initial Structures

  • Starting with the last player and going in reverse order, each player places one of their mines on a home planet of their color on the game board. The second mine is placed following the same order.

Step 4: Prepare Initial Resources

  • Each player gains resources according to the income shown on their faction board and on the spaces of the research areas covered by their markers.

Step 5: Random Elements

  • Shuffle the round boosters and draw one more than the number of players. Place these face-up near the game board. The rest are returned to the box.
  • Starting with the first player and going in order, each player chooses one round booster, which will provide them with a special ability and additional income during the game.

Step 6: Begin the Game

  • The player who last placed a mine on the game board takes the first turn and the game proceeds clockwise.

Remember that Gaia Project is a game of strategy and planning. Make sure to plan your moves carefully to maximize your resources and take advantage of the unique abilities of your faction.

Game flow Round and round we go

Gaia Project is a complex strategy board game that takes place over several rounds. Each round is divided into six phases, and players take turns initiating actions during the action phase. Here are the key components of each phase:

  1. Income Phase:

    During the income phase, players receive resources based on their income track. This includes resources like ore, knowledge, and energy tokens. Some factions also receive special resources during this phase. The income phase occurs at the start of every round except the first.

  2. Gaia Phase:

    In this phase, players can convert purple Gaia planets into their own faction’s color. If a player has a Gaia Former on a Transdim planet, they can use it to create a Gaia Planet. This phase does not occur in the first round.

  3. Action Phase:

    The action phase is the core of the game. During this phase, players take turns performing one action at a time until all players pass. Actions can include building structures, upgrading structures, starting a Gaia Project, forming federations, using special actions, and more. Each action usually costs resources, and the player’s turn ends once they have completed their action.

  4. End of Round:

    Once all players have passed, the round ends. Players return their action tokens to their supply, and the round booster is passed to the next player in clockwise order. The round scoring is then carried out according to the scoring tile of the current round.

  5. Clean up:

    During the clean-up phase, players prepare for the next round. They remove any remaining power tokens from the Gaia area of their player board, and the next round’s scoring tile is revealed. Any passed round boosters are also returned to the supply.

  6. Final Scoring:

    After six rounds, the game ends, and the final scoring takes place. Players receive points for their federations, research areas, and final scoring of the round boosters. The player with the most victory points is the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Gaia Project, a player’s turn is composed of several possible actions and strategic choices that can affect the game’s outcome. It’s essential for players to understand these elements to develop effective strategies and ensure a smooth gameplay experience.

1. Building Structures: This is the primary action during a player’s turn. There are four types of structures that can be built: Mines, Trading Stations, Research Labs, and Planetary Institutes. Each structure has its own costs and benefits:

  • Mines: They are the basic building blocks, allowing players to colonize planets.
  • Trading Stations: They provide additional income and increase your trading range.
  • Research Labs: They advance your civilization’s technology and offer immediate rewards.
  • Planetary Institutes: They unlock your faction’s unique special ability.

2. Upgrading Structures: Players can also upgrade their existing structures to more advanced ones. For instance, a mine can be upgraded to a trading station, offering better rewards. However, this action requires resources.

3. Advancing on Research Tracks: There are six different research tracks in Gaia Project, each providing unique benefits as players progress on them. Advancing on a research track requires spending knowledge points, which can be acquired by building research labs and other actions.

4. Forming Federations: Players can form federations by connecting their structures. This action grants powerful bonuses, such as additional resources, victory points, or advanced technology tiles.

5. Using Power Actions: Players can spend power to perform special actions, including gaining resources, advancing on research tracks, or building structures at a reduced cost.

6. Passing: If a player cannot or chooses not to perform any more actions, they can pass, signaling the end of their turn. The first player to pass becomes the starting player for the next round and selects a new round booster.

The choices made during a player’s turn in Gaia Project directly affect the game’s progression. Building and upgrading structures can expand a player’s reach and improve their economy, while advancing on research tracks can offer long-term strategic advantages. Forming federations can provide powerful bonuses, and using power actions can allow for unexpected moves. Therefore, understanding these actions and making strategic decisions is key to mastering the game.

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

The game of ‘Gaia Project’ ends after a predetermined number of rounds, usually six. Each round is marked by a specific scoring tile that provides additional victory points for certain actions. After the last round, there’s a final scoring phase where players tally their points based on numerous factors.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the most victory points at the end of the game is the winner. These points can be accumulated in various ways throughout the game and during the final scoring.

During the Game:

  • Scoring Tiles: Each round has a scoring tile that grants bonus points for a specific action (like terraforming or building). The more you can align your actions to the scoring tile, the more points you can earn.
  • Federations: By forming federations, players can earn additional victory points as well as special bonuses.
  • Research: Advancing on the research tracks not only provides powerful abilities but also victory points.
  • Power Actions: Certain power actions can also provide victory points.

Final Scoring:

Once the final round is concluded, players proceed to the final scoring. The points are awarded based on the following criteria:

  1. Research Tracks: Each player gets victory points for their positions on the six research tracks. The higher the position, the more points are awarded.
  2. Federation Tokens: Players score the victory points indicated on their collected federation tokens.
  3. Unused Resources: For every three unused resources (Ore, Credits, Knowledge, Power), players receive one victory point.

Preparation for Final Scoring:

Before final scoring, players should ensure all possible actions that could earn more victory points are taken. This could include spending leftover resources to advance on the research tracks, form federations, or take other beneficial actions. It’s important to note that no round bonus applies in the final scoring.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The scoring in Gaia Project is a multifaceted system, rewarding players for a variety of actions and achievements throughout the game. Points are awarded in the following manner:

  • End of Round Scoring: At the end of each round, players gain points based on the round scoring tile. This varies from round to round and can include points for building different types of structures, advancing on the research tracks, or forming federations.
  • Federation Scoring: When a player forms a federation, they receive a federation token that provides a one-time bonus of victory points. The amount of points depends on the specific federation token chosen.
  • Research Tracks: Advancing on the research tracks can provide victory points. The exact number of points depends on the specific research track and how far the player has advanced on it.
  • End of Game Scoring: At the end of the game, points are awarded for reaching certain milestones. This includes points for each planet type where the player has established a presence, points for the player’s highest level structure on each planet type, and points for reaching the end of a research track.

In case of a tie at the end of the game, the Gaia Project rules specify the following tie-breaker hierarchy:

  1. The player with the most leftover resources (ore and credits combined) wins.
  2. If there’s still a tie, the player with the most structures on the game board wins.
  3. If there’s still a tie, the player who is earlier in the turn order wins.

If a tie occurs during the game (for example, when determining player order), the player who is earlier in the turn order wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Gaia Project is a complex board game that involves strategy and planning. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and any rule clarifications that might be important while playing the game:

Power Conversion: This is a special rule in the Gaia Project. Players can convert their power into resources at any time during their turn. Each power token in Area III can be converted into one ore or one knowledge, or three power tokens can be converted into one Q.I.C.

Building Structures: A player can build a structure on a planet only if that planet type matches the player’s faction or if the planet has been terraformed or made habitable through a Gaia Project. This rule is often overlooked by new players.

  • Special Case for Lantids: The Lantids faction has a special rule where they can coexist on planets with other factions, but they can’t upgrade their structures if another faction already has a structure on the same planet.
  • Exception for Terrans: Terrans have the unique ability to transform regular planets into Gaia planets using a Gaiaformer. They can colonize these Gaia planets without needing to terraform them.

End of Round Scoring: At the end of each round, players score victory points based on the scoring tile for that round and the position of their structures on the board. However, structures on Gaia planets do not count towards this scoring.

  1. Brainstone Rule: The Itar’s faction has a special Brainstone which acts as a wild power token. It can exist in any of the three areas and can be used for power actions. However, once used, it goes back to Area I and must be moved back to Area III before it can be used again.
  2. Special Action Rule: Each faction has a unique special action that can be used once per round. It’s important to note that the special action is not reset when passing, but only at the start of the next round.

Final Scoring: At the end of the game, players receive additional victory points based on the number of planets they have colonized, research progress, and the final scoring tile. It’s important to remember that Gaia planets are not counted in the final scoring.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Gaia Project is a complex and strategic board game that requires careful planning, resource management, and the ability to adapt to evolving game conditions. Whether you’re a beginner just learning the ropes or an experienced player looking to up your game, the following tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid can help you optimize gameplay and increase your chances of winning.

Advanced Strategies:

  • Plan Ahead: Gaia Project is a game of many moving parts and long-term strategies often reap greater rewards. Planning several moves ahead can help you stay ahead of your opponents.
  • Adapt to the Board: Each game will have a different board setup. Adapting your strategy to the unique layout and opportunities each board presents is key to winning.
  • Balance Expansion and Tech Development: While it’s important to expand your reach across the galaxy, don’t forget to also advance on the tech track, which provides powerful bonuses and options.

Beginner Tips:

  • Understand the Rules: The rules of Gaia Project can be complex. Make sure you understand them fully before starting to play.
  • Start Small: Start with a small, manageable strategy and gradually expand as you get more comfortable with the game mechanics.
  • Use Your Race’s Strengths: Each race in Gaia Project has unique strengths. Make sure to leverage these to your advantage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Ignoring the Tech Track: It’s easy to focus on expansion and ignore the tech track, but doing so can leave you without critical bonuses and abilities.
  • Not Adapting to Other Players: Your strategy should not be fixed, but should adapt based on the actions of other players. If you stick rigidly to your plan without considering what others are doing, you may find yourself at a disadvantage.
  • Spreading Too Thin: Expansion is important, but spreading too thin can leave your planets vulnerable and your resources stretched.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

  • Balance Your Approach: A balanced approach to expansion, tech development, and resource management often leads to success.
  • Utilize Scoring Opportunities: Be sure to take advantage of scoring opportunities whenever they arise. This includes end-of-round scoring as well as scoring from tech tiles and federation tokens.
  • Know When to Pass: Passing at the right time can give you a significant advantage in the next round. Know when to push forward and when to hold back.

Thematics

Mechanics

Download
Official Rules - EN