Board Game The Search for Planet X

Scientists in action

Players – astronomers who explore celestial bodies and search for the mysterious Planet X. To win, you need to get a good reputation as a researcher and score the most victory points. And the location of the planet will be different each game, as it is generated using a special mobile application.

Game mechanics

1. There are 5 types of objects in the game: asteroids, comets, dwarf planets, nebulae and Planet X. Each nebula is always next to an empty sector, asteroids are always placed in pairs, the dwarf planet and Planet X are always far from each other.
2. The playing field consists of the Solar System Field and the Earth Field. At any given moment in the game, only one half of the field is visible, marked by a special dial in the center of the Solar System.
3. During the game, players put forward theories about the location of objects on the sectors of the field. At the end of the game, they receive victory points for confirming the theory. 

Install the mobile application

Each player must have access to a special application, which will need to be logged in with a unique game code. The application provides starting information and allows you to keep your own observation sheet and check theories.

Structure of the player`s move

   Action. You can perform one of four actions:

• select the type of object and several visible sectors – the application will display the number of such objects in the specified areas,
• select one visible sector – the application will display the object located there, or emptiness,
• select a topic for research – the application will display a logical rule for placing objects related to the selected topic,
• name the sector in which you think planet X is located and name the objects adjacent to it – check the correctness of the answer in the application.

   Move the player`s telescope by the number of areas that corresponds to the cost of the selected action.

   Earth rotation. If a conference or theories symbol is reached during the rotation, the corresponding phases are played.

Conference phase

Players press the «Conference» button in the mobile applications and receive new clues about the location of planet X. 

Theories phase

All players simultaneously decide which theories they are ready to put forward and place theory tokens on the examination track in the area where they think the selected type of object is located. These tokens are then opened and checked using the mobile application.

Therefore, during the game, players will receive and record various information on their observation sheets and try to put forward as many correct theories as possible and be the first to learn about the location of the mysterious planet. When one of the players has successfully found planet X - the game is over, proceed to counting victory points for correct theories. Discovering a mysterious planet will bring an additional 10 victory points.