Ark Nova

In Ark Nova, you become the architect of a contemporary zoo, focused on conservation practices and science. Your goal is to create the most successful zoo, where you will plan spaces, house animals and drive conservation initiatives around the world. To do this, you will have the help of experts and unique buildings that will be fundamental to the development of your project. Players have five action cards at their disposal which allow them to control the progress of the game, with the effectiveness of each action varying according to their position on the board. The main actions are: CARDS: This action allows you to obtain new zoo cards, which include animals, sponsors and conservation projects. BUILD: With this action, you can erect enclosures, kiosks and pavilions, either in standard versions or special editions. ANIMALS: This action allows you to house new species in your zoo, increasing diversity. ASSOCIATION: Here, you employ your workers in various tasks, optimizing the operation of your zoo. SPONSORS: This action allows you to use sponsor letters in your zoo or to raise funds. With a total of 255 cards featuring animals, specialists, unique enclosures and conservation projects, each card has a special ability that will enrich your strategy. Use them to increase your zoo's prestige and scientific reputation, while collecting valuable conservation points.

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

In Ark Nova, each player takes on the role of zoo manager with the aim of building the most successful zoo. At the start, each player receives a personal board with spaces to place project cards and build animal houses.

Manage your cards: you'll have a deck of cards representing different actions. The cards are the core of the game and represent functions such as building, sponsoring, accumulating or buying animals. Choose strategically when and how to use each card.

Progress in the game is represented by two main markers: Zoo Appeal and Conservation. Appeal increases by acquiring new animals, while Conservation improves by completing specific projects. The intersection of these two markers on the board determines the winner.

Build infrastructure: basic facilities such as housing and attractions increase the efficiency of your zoo. Plan well, as space on the board is limited and money is sometimes scarce.

Think about the animals' requirements: in order to introduce animals to your zoo, you need to build suitable housing and ensure that you have access to the projects or funders needed to keep them.

Interaction with other entities in the game is crucial. Hiring specialists and collaborating with other players or institutions can offer important bonuses and new skills.

Plan the order of your actions carefully: using certain cards in sequence can generate powerful combos, speeding up your progress.

Pay attention to the global objectives available to all players. Completing these objectives increases your chances of success and offers valuable Conservation points.

Main objective

The main objective of the game "Ark Nova" is to develop and manage a modern, strategically planned zoo in order to accumulate the highest number of conservation points. Players build enclosures to house animals, establish partnerships with international institutions and support conservation projects, all while balancing their finances and resources to create a successful and environmentally sustainable zoo.

Tips for playing Ark Nova

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Ark Nova:

• Start by focusing on one type of conservation project to maximize synergy points with your animals.
• Develop your zoo according to specific needs, such as aquatic, savannah or mountain habitats.
• Prioritize sponsors that complement your conservation strategy and bring in constant income.
• Plan your actions in advance to create effective combos and use your bonuses more efficiently.
• Acquire animals that benefit from add-ons already built to maximize the use of available resources.
• Constantly monitor your appeal and conservation points to maintain a good balance and progression in the game.
• Accelerate progress by building kiosks and pavilions in strategic locations to ensure continuous income.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Ark Nova

• Tile Placement: In Ark Nova, players build and expand their zoos by placing hexagonal tiles on their individual board. Each piece represents different enclosures and infrastructures, such as aviaries, aquariums or feeding areas. The strategic positioning of these tiles is crucial to maximize space, optimize connectivity between tiles and meet the requirements of the animals you plan to house. Random events and letters can modify or influence the placement of the pieces, requiring flexibility and long-term planning.
• Hand Management: Players manage a hand of cards representing animals, sponsors, conservation projects and other improvements to the zoo. Management efficiency lies in deciding which cards to hold, which to play and when, since the number of cards in the hand is limited. In addition, many cards have prerequisites that need to be met before they can be played, such as enclosure structure or bonuses earned, creating a constant dilemma about which cards to prioritize for quick execution or wait to maximize the benefits.
• Variable Player Powers: Each player can start with unique skills that impact their strategies and tactics in the game. Starting skills are selected or randomized, allowing players to take different approaches, such as focusing on specific species, aligning with sponsors or aggressively expanding the zoo. These personalized skills encourage replayability, as each session can offer a different gaming experience depending on the skills chosen by each player.
• Tags: Ark Nova cards have different markings that indicate specific categories such as habitat type, continent of origin, or sponsor types. These marks are essential for activating additional card effects, building combos and strategic alignments. For example, certain cards can give a bonus if you already have another card with a corresponding mark, promoting synergies and combos. This mechanic requires players to keep an eye on brands while planning the zoo's expansion, as they can directly influence the success of infrastructure and conservation strategies.

Game components Ark Nova

See all the items in the game below Ark Nova:

• 212 fauna cards
• 20 Collaboration cards
• 11 Final evaluation cards
• 1 Central management tray
• 20 double initiative cards
• 1 Wedding ring tray
• 8 Personal trays (zoos)
• 90 Miscellaneous fencing elements
• 34 Kiosk/pavilion structures
• 12 Special enclosure structures
• 15 Exclusive buildings
• 70 currency tokens
• 20 Allied zoo elements
• 12 Elements of educational institutions
• 9 reward tokens
• 1 Piece for solo mode
• 20 Daughters X
• 8 Multiplication markers
• 8 Poison indicators
• 8 Constriction icons
• 1 Pause marker (wooden piece)
• 3 Progress markers (wooden piece)
• 4 Associated employees (wooden piece)
• 25 Player markers (wooden piece)

Additional Information

• Ludopedia link: https://ludopedia.com.br/jogo/ark-nova
• Link Tabletopia:
• Amazon Brazil link: Comprar Ark Nova
• Amazon USA link: Comprar Ark Nova