- BGG rank
- BGG #5,674
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Dollars to Donuts
- 1–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,195
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Abstract Academy
2022
Rules assistance for Abstract Academy
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20–40 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.2/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Abstract Academy
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Abstract Academy is a board game released in 2022 for 2–4 players, 20–40 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Shawn Stankewich, Robert Melvin, and Molly Johnson and its main mechanics are Set Collection, End Game Bonuses, and Pattern Building.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,708
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Point Galaxy
- 1–5 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,230
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Forage
- 1–6 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2026
- BGG rank
- BGG #614
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Point Salad
- 2–6 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #764
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Verdant
- 1–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,005
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Truffle Shuffle
- 2–4 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,139
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Point City
- 1–4 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,622
- BGG rating
- 7.0
TEN
- 1–5 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,733
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Propolis
- 1–4 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,482
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Deep Dive
- 1–6 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,151
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Public Market
- 2–4 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #99
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Azul
- 2–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2017
About the game
At the Abstract Academy, competition is fierce. You and your fellow art students vie for top marks with professors while trying to put your own spin on each assignment. The twist? Art school really broke the bank, so you must share a canvas with your rival classmates! Abstract Academy is played over three rounds by either two or four players, with the players completing a new canvas each round. At the start of the game, you lay out 2-3 scoring cards for each round, so you all know what you're trying to achieve to score. Additionally, at the start of each round, each player receives an inspiration card that shows a pattern they're trying to create on the canvas. In the two-player game, players take turns playing canvas cards into a shared 4x4 play area, and in the four-player game, they play in a shared 5x5 area. Canvas cards are divided into quadrants, and each quadrant is colored yellow, red, or blue. The canvas grows organically as you all play cards, and the edges aren't fixed until you have four (or five) cards in a row or column. The edge of the canvas closest to you is your home row, and once the canvas is locked in size, no one else can play in your home row (unless all other spaces are filled). Once the canvas is filled, the two rows closest to you form your scoring zone. If the color patterns in your zone complete a scoring card better than the patterns in anyone else's zone, then you claim the scoring card. Additionally, if you've created the right pattern in your scoring zone, you can score your inspiration card. Whoever has the most points after three rounds is the star pupil of Abstract Academy and wins! Admin note: The logo of Flatout Games is shown on the English-language edition of Abstract Academy, but Flatout Games is not involved with the publication of this game.
Categories
Publishers
- Devir
- Lord of Boards
- 4GAMES
- Crafty Games
Questions and answers
Abstract Academy supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Abstract Academy is 20–40 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Abstract Academy for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Abstract Academy has a complexity rating of 1.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Abstract Academy belongs to these categories: Card Game and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, End Game Bonuses, and Pattern Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Abstract Academy are: Shawn Stankewich, Robert Melvin, and Molly Johnson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Abstract Academy as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.