The Great Evolution Game: From Molecules To Mankind

What is The Great Evolution Game?

Race through the story of life on Earth.

The Great Evolution Game is a science-based, card-driven board game for 2–6 players. Journey through six color-coded eras, from the building blocks of life to the dawn of humankind. Collect the cards you need, choose when to play them, and race ahead. The first player to advance beyond the Red Era wins.

2–6 Players · 6 Eras · 120-Card Base Deck

Each turn: Draw 1 → Play cards → Advance → Discard down to 7

Designed to be played. Made to be collected.

Billions of Years. One Epic Race.

In The Great Evolution Game, players advance through six color-coded Eras, each representing major evolutionary developments. Each Era has its own set of cards. You begin in Earth’s primordial past by assembling the components of the first living cells, then progress through increasingly complex life forms.

The game also includes colorless cards that geological events and timeless evolutionary concepts that can help you gain an advantage over your opponents.

120 Collectible Cards. The Story of Life.

The base deck contains 15 colored cards for each of the six Eras, plus 30 colorless cards.

Colored cards depict animals, plants, other organisms, and major evolutionary milestones from their respective Eras. Some colored cards have playable abilities. Colorless cards represent timeless evolutionary forces, environmental changes, and global geological events.

The Great Evolution Game’s collectible jumbo cards measure 3.5 × 5.5 inches (8.9 × 14 cm)—more than twice the surface area of a standard 2.5 × 3.5-inch poker card, used by most collectible card and board games. The larger format makes it easier to appreciate the illustrations and read the card text.

The cards feature art from the best naturalist artist and paleoartists from around the world.

Backers who choose the Gold Reward also receive 10 additional, once-in-a-lifetime golden Kickstarter cards, described in the rewards section below.

Take a closer look at the sample cards below.

How to Play

The rules are easy to learn and family-friendly.

Each player starts with 7 cards. Collect colored cards to advance through the six Eras, and use card abilities to gain an advantage over your opponents.

On your turn:

1. Draw 1 card. Add it to your hand.
2. Play cards. You may play any number of cards with “To Play” abilities, regardless of their color or your current Era.
3. Advance up to once. Discard the required number of cards matching your current Era to move forward.
4. Discard down to 7. If you have more than seven cards left in your hand, discard until you have seven.

Choose your mode—cards needed to advance through each Era:
Easy: 3 · Standard: 4 · Advanced: 5

The first player to advance beyond the Red Era wins.

Choose Your Reward

Basic: USD 159. Get the complete base game, everything you need to play a game of The Great Evolution Game. Imagine, 120 high-quality jumbo cards, each with a unique work of art.

Gold Edition: USD 168. The complete base game plus 10 Kickstarter Golden edition cards. A once-in-a-lifetime print. My way of saying "Thank you."

Patron of Evolution: USD 950. Everything in Gold Edition, plus sponsorship of one card illustration and printed acknowledgment.

Become a Patron of Evolution: Help bring the game’s artwork to life by sponsoring one card illustration. Your name—or an approved short dedication—will be associated with your sponsored card of your choice in the first-edition rulebook, the website, and social media posts. You’ll also be acknowledged in the campaign’s Patrons of Evolution credits. I'm talking about commissioning work from the legends of Paleoart, like Gabriel Uguetto, Andy Frazer (Dragons of Wales), Esther van Hulsen, and Mark Witton. You can also suggest your own artist or own art to be featured.

Why I Made It

I started creating The Great Evolution Game in August 2025 for my daughters.

I wanted to share the extraordinary story of life on Earth with them: its strange creatures, dramatic changes, and the long journey that eventually led to humankind.

I also wanted to bring together science, human art, the humanities, and family fun. I imagined a game that would spark wonder about prehistoric worlds and invite people to explore them together around a table. Something for science nerds fascinated by evolution, and for families who simply want to enjoy a good game together.

Duke Villanueva
Creator, The Great Evolution Game

Timeline & Delivery

The game is basically locked and loaded. A large part of the funds raised will go directly toward commissioning artwork for the cards. I have about two decades of experience delivering creative projects and working in manufacturing. Help me create a collectible series featuring work by some of the best natural history artists and paleoartists from around the world.

Credits & Acknowledgements

I wish to give special thanks to:

• Florencia Lucia Musso (Argentina), Contributing Artist
• Vlad Draghici (Romania), Contributing Artist
• Bojan Rajic (Croatia), Contributing Artist
• Kezia Lara Rivera (Philippines), Game Correspondent
• Darrel Lim (Philippines), Game Presenter

Join the Journey

Help me bring The Great Evolution Game to life, a game that brings together science, human art and literature, and the joy of connecting with others.

Help me build a collectible series featuring some of the best naturalist artists and paleoartists from around the world.

Follow the project for raw, behind-the-scenes updates. I’ll share the artwork, playtesting, and work in progress as I prepare for launch.

Whether you love evolution or simply enjoy a good game with family and friends, there’s a place for you at the table.

Click Back this Project and...

Join us at the starting line.