Rules of Play
Box of Innovation

Board game · 2010

Innovation

Innovation is Carl Chudyk's tableau-builder of infinite possibilities, taking you on a journey from pre-history all the way to the present...and the near future! In this game, you build a civilization using only cards; there's…

Players
2 to 5
Duration
20 min
Age
12 and up
Complexity
Family

Carl Chudyk · Asmadi Games

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Your first game

The three moments to know before you start. Each step opens the video at the right spot.

  1. Set up Matériel et Mise en Place 00:25
  2. Play a turn Tour de Jeu 05:54
  3. End the game Fin de Partie et Conditions de Victoire 32:09

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In brief

Innovation is Carl Chudyk's tableau-builder of infinite possibilities, taking you on a journey from pre-history all the way to the present...and the near future! In this game, you build a civilization using only cards; there's no map, no tokens, no dice, no pieces. The game's 105 innovations — or in the fourth edition, 115 innovations — are each represented by a card with a unique effect, organized into ten (or eleven) ages. Each innovation's effect is tied thematically to its identity, allowing you to either elevate your society or attack your opponents.

In addition to directly affecting your opponents, you can share in the effects of their technologies if you amass enough visible icons on your board. Strategically building your tableau of cards to share often and defend against demands is crucial to success.

To win, you must claim achievements, which you can attain by amassing points or by meeting certain criteria with the innovations you have built. No two games of Innovation play the same way.

[Admin note: The specific card effects have changed across the four editions of Innovation, in addition to age 11 being added in the fourth edition, but the core gameplay has remained consistent across all editions, so all editions are listed on a single page in the database.]

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Expansions for this game

Each expansion has its own page and its own rules videos.