Ark Nova
Objective
Have the highest positive score when the game ends. Your score is calculated as your Appeal track position minus the position of your Conservation marker on the scoring scale — the two tracks run in opposite directions, and the game ends when one player's markers meet or cross.
The Basics
Ark Nova is a strategic zoo-building game. You play as a zoo director, constructing enclosures and filling them with animals, completing conservation projects, and hiring specialists — all while balancing the income and prestige that make your zoo attractive. Every player works from the same shared pool of zoo cards but builds a unique zoo on their personal map.
Setup
Place the main board in the center and give each player a zoo map and an organizer tray. Each player places their Appeal marker at position 0 and their Conservation marker at its starting space (shown on the map). Place the Break token at the start of the Break track. Shuffle the Zoo card deck and deal 8 to each player; each player keeps 4 as their starting hand and discards the rest face-up. Reveal 6 cards onto the shared display. Shuffle the Conservation Project deck and place it near the board. Each player takes 5 Action cards in levels 1–5 and arranges them left to right on their player board — the position of a card determines how powerful it is.
Turn Structure
On your turn, choose one of your 5 Action cards to activate. After using it, slide it to the leftmost position (level 1), shifting all other cards one position to the right. An action card's strength increases with its position — the further right it sits, the more powerful it becomes.
The 5 Action Cards
Cards — Draw cards from the Zoo card deck and add them to your hand, or take cards from the shared display. Higher levels let you take more cards or use the Reputation track for better access.
Build — Construct an enclosure, kiosk, or pavilion on your zoo map. Enclosures have a size (number of spaces) that must match any animal you want to place there. Higher levels let you build larger or more complex structures. Adjacency bonuses may apply.
Animals — Pay the cost shown on an animal card, then place it in a matching enclosure on your zoo map. Animals advance your Appeal track, may trigger abilities, and count toward Conservation Projects. Higher action levels reduce the cost.
Association — Send an association worker to the Association board to partner with other zoos, fund conservation projects, or gain resources. Higher levels give access to better spots. One worker per slot; a second worker in the same slot costs 2 association workers.
Sponsors — Play a Sponsor card from your hand. Sponsors are specialists, unique buildings, or other effects that provide resources, abilities, or ongoing bonuses.
Breaks
The game does not use fixed rounds. Instead, a Break occurs when the Break token reaches the end of the Break track. This can happen during a turn from card effects or action use. When a Break triggers, all players: discard down to their hand limit (normally 3), return Multiplier/Venom/Constriction tokens to supply, and return association workers from the board. The Break token is reset. Players receive money for triggering a Break.
Conservation Projects
Projects are public objectives that require a set of animal tags (e.g., "2 reptiles + 1 Africa tag") to complete. Completing a project advances your Conservation marker and provides bonuses. Base Conservation Projects are available from the start; additional ones can be added through Association actions or card play.
Scoring & Game End
The game ends immediately when any player's Appeal and Conservation markers meet or cross on the shared scoring scale. All other players finish the current turn. Players then score their Final Scoring card and any other end-game effects.
Final score = (Appeal track position) − (the lowest Appeal value shown in the scoring zone where your Conservation marker sits). The player with the highest positive score wins. Negative scores are not uncommon for players who haven't developed both tracks evenly.
Key Rules
- Enclosures must be built before animals can be placed; enclosure size must match the animal's space requirement.
- Animals require an enclosure with matching terrain icons.
- Each player may have only one association worker per slot (spending 2 workers places a second one).
- Card effects always override the rulebook.
At the Table
Balance Appeal (animals + buildings) and Conservation (projects + association actions). Focusing on only one track means your markers never cross — you need both to end the game and win.