Let’s Play Ark Nova and Ark Nova Marine Worlds Expansion @ the Missing Piece!

This two-part Sunday series will explore Mathias Wigge’s breakout one-to-four person zoo building action card strategy game. Build enclosures for your animals and amenities for your guests. Care for exotic animals and attract paying crowds. Sponsor special projects that improve your zoo. Create strategic partnerships with zoos on other continents. Burnish your research bona fides by partnering with specialist universities. Support worldwide conservation projects. Work to advance your private agenda.

Ark Nova is a medium heavy Euro strategy game. Expect a game of two-and-a-half hours or more.

Both sessions will be held at the Missing Piece near Alaska Junction in West Seattle. Street parking in the neighborhood is limited, but there is no 2-hour parking limit on Sundays. The games will start at 1:00pm. Please plan to arrive in the area a little early so we can start on time.

5/10/2026 1:00–5:00pm: Ark Nova (2021). This session is aimed at players who are either new to or prefer a more casual Ark Nova game. We will play with the base game and original zoo maps only. Beginner (map a) and basic (map 0) will be available to play. Aggressive animal abilities (hypnosis, venom, constriction, pilfer) will be disabled in favor of the peaceful variant. I will teach the game but recommend that you watch Ark Nova: How to Play and Tips by Games Made Easy.

5/17/2026 1:00–5:00pm: Ark Nova with the Marine Worlds Expansion (2023) and Zoo Map Packs 1 and 2. This session is aimed at players who are already familiar with Ark Nova and are comfortable with a bit more complex rule set. We will play with the new marine enclosures, animals, and mechanics, draft enhanced action cards, add the animal-specific research universities, use the original zoo maps (maps a and 0 not selectable), and seven new zoo maps. Aggressive animal abilities will be enabled. I will not teach the base game but will teach the Marine Worlds Expansion and aggressive animal mechanics. I recommend that you watch Ark Nova Marine Worlds Expansion: Learn How to Play by Games Made Easy.