How to play Planet Official Rules

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Planet Game Guidelines

Welcome to the Planet Game! I’m excited to have you join me on this cosmic adventure. Let’s dive right in and explore the rules, shall we?

Rule 1: Planet Selection

First things first, we need to select our planets. Each player will get a turn to choose a planet from a deck of planet cards. Keep in mind that each planet comes with its unique characteristics and challenges.

Rule 2: Mission Objective

Now that we have our planets, it’s time to set a mission objective. Each player will have a specific goal to accomplish on their chosen planet. The objectives can vary from discovering alien life to collecting valuable resources.

Rule 3: Exploring the Planet

Once the mission objective is set, we can start exploring the planet. Roll the dice to move your game piece across the planet’s terrain. Pay attention to the different symbols on the spaces you land on, as they may offer you opportunities or obstacles.

Rule 4: Making Decisions

Throughout the game, you’ll encounter decision points that require you to choose between different paths. These decisions will shape your journey and lead you towards success or failure. Trust your instincts, but also consider the risks and rewards of each choice.

Rule 5: Facing Challenges

Be ready to face challenges along the way. They may come in the form of puzzles, riddles, or unexpected events. Use your wits and problem-solving skills to overcome these challenges and progress further on your mission.

Rule 6: Teamwork

Remember, you’re not alone in this game. If you encounter a challenge that seems too difficult to handle on your own, don’t hesitate to seek help from your fellow players. Teamwork can make all the difference in achieving your mission objective.

Rule 7: Time Limit

Keep an eye on the time! The game will have a time limit for completing your mission objective. As the clock ticks, the pressure mounts, so stay focused and make your moves wisely.

Rule 8: Winning the Game

The game ends when either a player completes their mission objective or the time runs out. If you succeed in accomplishing your objective, congratulations! You’ve won the game. If not, don’t worry. The journey itself is an adventure worth cherishing.

So, are you ready for the Planet Game? Grab your space helmet, gather your friends, and let the cosmic journey begin!

Imagine holding the world in your hands. You have the power to mold and shape it, creating stunning mountains, vast deserts, lush forests, deep oceans, and majestic glaciers.

But it’s not just about playing with nature. It’s about strategically placing continents in a way that allows animals to thrive and flourish. Your goal is to build a planet that is teeming with life, bursting with vibrant ecosystems and diverse species.

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Components

When you open the box, you’ll find some important things inside. Let’s take a look:

  • 4 Planet cores
  • 50 Continent tiles
  • 45 Animal cards
  • “Natural Habitat” objective cards
  • 1 First Player token

Object of the Game

Howdy! Welcome to the exciting world of planet-building! In this game, you’ll go on a thrilling journey across 12 turns, as you strategically place continent tiles on your planet’s core. The goal? To create the perfect habitats for animals to thrive!

Throughout the game, you’ll earn points by accomplishing “Natural Habitat” objectives and by filling your planet with a diverse array of animals. Remember, the more animals you have, the more points you’ll score!

Now, here’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The player with the highest points at the end of the game is crowned the ultimate winner. So, gather your wits, plan your moves wisely, and get ready for an epic planet-building adventure!

Setup

  1. When we start the game, we don’t have any Continent tiles on our Planet core.
  2. In the middle of the table, face down, we create a line with 10 piles of Continent tiles. Each pile has 5 tiles in it. They’re shuffled before being placed.
  3. We shuffle all the Animal Cards and draw 20 of them randomly. These cards are placed face up, following the layout shown in the diagram below. It’s important to set them up in rows that match the diagram, with the piles of tiles arranged exactly as shown.

Note: If we want an easier first game, we can try “Variation 1: Beginner Game”.

In the Game

Hey there! Let me tell you all about how this game works. It’s pretty simple, so don’t worry!

Once it’s your turn, you have two things to do:

  1. Roll the Dice: Give those dice a little shake and watch them tumble. You’ll see a number roll up on each of them, like magic! This number is how many spaces you get to move on the game board.
  2. Take Your Turn: Okay, now it’s time to make your move! You can take your piece and put it on any space on the board that’s open. Just be strategic and try to plan your moves ahead of time. You want to make sure you’re getting closer to the finish line!

And that’s it! It’s really that simple. Roll the dice, move your piece, and keep going until you reach the end. Sound like fun?

Oh, and one more thing: the game board has some special spaces you’ll want to pay attention to. Some spaces might make you go forward faster, while others could send you backwards. So, keep an eye out!

Alright, I think you’re ready to play now. Have a blast and remember, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s all about having fun!

One of the most fascinating topics in the world of science is the study of organisms and how they have evolved over time. It’s incredible to think about the many different forms of life that exist on our planet, and how they have adapted to survive in various environments. Today, I want to explore two specific aspects of this vast subject: continents and the origin of life.

Continents are large land masses that make up our Earth. There are seven continents in total: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and South America. Each continent has its own unique ecosystem, with different climates, landscapes, and species of plants and animals.

The study of continents and how they have changed and moved over the course of millions of years is called continental drift. It is believed that all of the continents were once connected in a supercontinent called Pangaea. However, over time, the continents gradually drifted apart due to tectonic plate movements.

This movement of continents has had a profound impact on the diversity of life on Earth. As the continents moved, new environments and habitats were created, leading to the development of new species. For example, when South America and Africa were connected, animals were able to migrate between the two continents, resulting in similar species being found in both places.

The origin of life is another captivating topic within the field of biology. Scientists have long been fascinated by the question of how life first began on Earth. While there are many theories and hypotheses, the exact origins of life are still unknown.

One of the leading theories is that life originated in ancient oceans. This hypothesis suggests that the first living organisms were simple, single-celled organisms that developed in the Earth’s primordial soup, a mixture of chemicals and organic compounds. Over time, these organisms evolved and diversified, eventually giving rise to more complex forms of life.

Understanding the origin of life is crucial for gaining insight into the fundamental processes that drive evolution. By studying the earliest forms of life, scientists can learn more about how organisms adapt and change over time, as well as the environmental conditions that are necessary for life to exist.

In conclusion, the study of organisms and their evolution is a vast and captivating field. By exploring topics such as continents and the origin of life, we can gain a deeper understanding of the incredible diversity of life on Earth, as well as the processes that have shaped our planet over millions of years.

1. Discover New Worlds with Additional Continents

Hey there, curious explorer! I’ve got an exciting idea that might just blow your mind. Have you ever thought about adding new continents to our beloved Earth? Let me tell you, it’s a game-changer!

Just think about it – by introducing additional landmasses, we could open up a world of possibilities. You and I would have the chance to embark on entirely new adventures, uncovering hidden treasures and encountering creatures never seen before.

Imagine stepping foot on a continent undiscovered by mankind, with unknown landscapes waiting to be explored. Picture yourself witnessing awe-inspiring natural wonders, surrounded by a symphony of vibrant, unfamiliar wildlife.

Add to that the cultural aspect! Each new continent brings forth its own unique customs, traditions, and history. It’s like diving into an anthology of stories, immersing yourself in the tapestry of human existence from a fresh perspective.

What’s more, the introduction of new continents will expand our understanding of our planet’s interconnectedness. It’s a golden opportunity to learn about the delicate balance between different ecosystems and the countless ways nature has adapted to thrive.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking – “Alright, this sounds fantastic, but how do we go about adding continents?” Fair question! While we can’t physically create new landmasses, we can certainly stimulate our imaginations and appreciate the richness and diversity of our current continents.

So, my fellow adventurer, why limit ourselves to the known? Let’s dream big, explore beyond our imagination, and discover new ways to unleash the true potential of our incredible planet!

  • First, I spread out the first pile of 5 Continent tiles across the center of the table, with the face up.
  • Next, I choose one tile from these 5 and add it to a free space on my Planet’s core. Then, it’s the other players’ turn, and we go in a clockwise direction.
  • Once everyone has chosen a tile, I place all the remaining tiles face down in the 11th spot in the Continent row. When this pile reaches 5 tiles, I move the extra ones to the 12th spot. If there are any additional tiles, I discard them and put them back in the box.

Imagine this: in a game with four players, after the first turn, the only tile left is placed at the end of the line of Continent tiles.

Just so you know: During the game, you can peek at other players’ planets whenever you want!

Ready for the challenge?

When it comes to scoring points in the game, each “Natural Habitat” objective card has a vital role. The more Areas of this “Natural Habitat” you have on your Planet at the end of the game, the more points you can earn.

Here’s an example to help you understand: Let’s say you need to have 11, 12, or 13 Areas of the Glacier Natural Habitat on your Planet by the end of the game. Achieving this will grant you 2 points.

2. The start of life

Starting from the third turn, life begins to appear on the Planets. Each player needs to check if their Planet meets the necessary conditions to support the Animal cards that can be obtained with each turn.

What are Areas and Regions?

There are three types of requirements for bringing animals onto a Planet:

First, you need to consider the Basic Requirements. These are the fundamental needs that every animal has and must be met for them to thrive. Things like food, water, and shelter fall into this category. Without these basics, an animal cannot survive in its new environment.

The next type of requirement is the Habitat Requirements. These are specific conditions that are necessary for certain types of animals to live comfortably and reproduce. For example, a desert-dwelling animal would need a hot and arid climate, while a water-dwelling animal would require a body of water to swim in. Each animal has unique habitat requirements that are key to its survival.

Finally, there are the Social Requirements. These are the needs that animals have for social interaction and companionship. Some animals are highly social and require the presence of others of their kind to thrive, while others are solitary creatures and prefer to be alone. Understanding an animal’s social requirements is crucial for their overall well-being.

When bringing animals onto a Planet, it is important to consider all three types of requirements. By ensuring that the basic, habitat, and social needs of an animal are met, you are giving them the best chance at a happy and healthy life in their new home.

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Maximizing a Single Region: I want you to count how many different Regions of the same Natural Habitat you have on your Planet. Let’s say you have a lot of forests, for example, which would be perfect for hosting a population of pandas.

If you want to have the largest Region of a specific kind that is connected to another type of Habitat, follow these steps:

First, identify the number of Areas that share the same type of Natural Habitat. This will help determine the size of the Region.

Next, check if the Region is in contact with at least one Area of a different type of Natural Habitat. This connection is crucial.

For example, let’s say you want to create a home for an Elephant. In order to do that, you’ll need a desert Region that is the largest and also touches a mountain Area.

What happens in a tie?

If there is a tie, where two or more players have the same size Region, the animal card is not awarded to anyone. Instead, it goes to the bottom of the column for the next turn. This means other players have a chance to win it in the future.

If, during the last turn, there are animals that cannot find a suitable Planet to live on, there is a special rule:

  • If a card requires the “most of one kind of Region,” and no player has achieved that, the card is not awarded to anyone and goes back in the box. It remains unclaimed by any player.

If you and another player are tied, you can look at your Planet to see if either of you meets the requirement again somewhere else. If one of you does, that player wins the card. If there’s still a tie, check again to see if either of you meets the requirement a third time somewhere else on your own Planet. If one of you does, that player wins the card. But if there’s still a tie after all that, nobody wins the card and it goes back in the box.

Imagine this: You and I are playing a game. We each have a Planet, and we’re trying to attract a fox to come live with us. The Planet needs to have a forest and it should be next to a glacier. On my turn, I had a forest that was 9 Areas big and it touched a glacier. But here’s the interesting part – I also had a second forest that was 5 Areas and it touched a glacier, too! You, on the other hand, only had one forest, and it touched a glacier as well, but it wasn’t as big as mine. So guess what? I win the card!

The player who has the most suitable Planet for the fox gets the card and adds it to their collection.

Listen up: You know what happens at the end of the game? Those cards with animals on them will give us points – either 1 or 2 points. So you better collect as many as you can!

Lastly, the player who had the First Player token has to pass it to the player sitting on their left.

And guess what? The turn is over, and it’s time to start a new one. Let’s keep playing!

The Game’s End

When we reach the 12th turn and all the Planets are fully covered, the game comes to a close. It’s also the end when we’ve won the last Animal cards.

  1. Now it’s time to show our objective cards and check if we accomplished our goals. If we did, we earn some points.
  2. After that, let’s tally up our scores. Each Animal card whose Natural Habitat matches the one on our objective card gives us 1 point. And every Animal card whose Natural Habitat is different from our objective card’s earns us 2 points. Don’t forget to look at the color codes on the edge of the Animal cards.

Remember: We get points for animals even if we didn’t meet the minimum requirement for “Areas” on our Natural Habitat objective card.

When it comes to determining the winner, the player with the most points takes the crown.

If the game ends in a tie, the players who have the most Animals cards will be declared the winners. If there is still a tie, all the players who remain in the tie will be considered winners.

Different Ways to Play

Option 1 – Easy Mode

If you’re playing for the first time or with younger players, you can choose to play without the “Natural Habitat” objective cards. Each animal will earn you one point.

Option 2 – Mystery Animals

When you’re setting up the game, you’ll want to take the 20 Animal cards and arrange them in two rows of 10 cards each. Place one row face down and the other row face up in the middle of the table.

Once the game begins, after each player takes a turn, the next mystery Animal card is revealed. This means that you can see which Animals will be revealed in the next three turns. It adds an element of surprise and anticipation to the game.

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