Gaia Project - Game Explanation

Objective

Gaia Project is a complex strategy game where 1 to 4 players compete as different alien factions to colonize space and develop their civilization. The player with the most victory points at the end wins the game.

Setup

Assemble the modular game board based on the layout suggested in the manual or create a custom map. Each player selects one of the 14 available factions and receives the corresponding materials, including:

• Faction Board: Contains all information about the faction, technologies, and unique abilities.
• Faction Buildings: Includes mines, trading stations, planetary institutes, academies, research labs, and research ships.
• Tokens: Represent resources and progression throughout the game.
• Gaia Markers and Gaia Planets: For terraforming and colonizing Gaia planets.

Additionally, set up: - Resources, including ore, credits, and knowledge. - Technology Tracks and Research Tiles: Indicate players' technological advancement. - Round Scoring and Final Scoring tiles: Determine how points are earned during rounds and at the game's end.

Game Play

The game is played over 6 rounds, each consisting of several phases:

1. Round Preparation

• Place out Round Scoring Tiles and Booster Tiles.
• Reveal new technologies and progression tiles.

2. Income

• Players receive income based on their current colonization and technological development.
• Income is represented by ore, credits, and knowledge cubes.

3. Perform Actions

Players take turns performing one main action until all have passed: - Construct Buildings: Build or upgrade mines, trade stations, etc. - Research: Develop technologies and advance on personal technology tracks. - Terraforming: Convert planets into environments suitable for their faction. - Colonize Gaia Planets: Only Gaia planets. - Form Federations: Link planets together to create federations. - Acquire Advanced Technological Abilities: Gain access to powerful abilities.

4. Pass

• Players who can’t or don’t want to take more actions pass. They choose a new booster for the next round.

5. Round Scoring

• Check and score points based on round goals.

6. End of Game

At the end of the sixth round, players score additional points for: - Largest Federation. - Completed final scoring tiles. - Unused resources.

Strategy Tips

• Plan Ahead: Early planning of federations and technology path is crucial.
• Resource Management: Balance ore, credits, and knowledge for effective terraforming and building development.
• Technological Advancement: Research progress can greatly affect winning chances.
• Flexible Reaction: Adapt flexibly to opponents' actions and the round-rotating goals.

Gaia Project requires strategic thinking, forward planning, and effective management of resources and technologies to successfully build intergalactic empires.