Ark Nova

Ark Nova is a board game centered around the theme of zoological management and conservation. Players take on the roles of zoo directors, competing to establish the most prestigious and scientifically successful zoological institutions. The game simulates the challenges and rewards of acquiring diverse animal species, constructing appropriate habitats, securing funding through sponsorships, and contributing to global conservation efforts. Success hinges on careful planning, strategic resource management, and the skillful utilization of specialist expertise. Gameplay in Ark Nova revolves around a hand management system utilizing five action cards: Cards, Build, Animals, Association, and Sponsors. Each card’s potency is determined by its placement within the player’s action slots, creating strategic choices for each turn. The core mechanic involves acquiring and strategically deploying a vast array of 255 cards representing animals, specialists, enclosures, and conservation projects, each with unique abilities affecting various aspects of the zoo’s development and scoring. Players earn points through fulfilling conservation objectives, attracting visitors, and achieving scientific breakthroughs, ultimately vying for the title of the world’s foremost zoological authority.