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High Tide
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DNA: The New Origin of Species
2026
Rules assistance for DNA: The New Origin of Species
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 45–75 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for DNA: The New Origin of Species
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
DNA: The New Origin of Species is a board game released in 2026 for 1–4 players, 45–75 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Yuri Lanovenchik and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Pattern Movement, and Pattern Building.
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About the game
It is a strategic board game about crafting DNA sequences to evolve creatures and populate a new world. In DNA: The New Origin of Species, you take on the role of a scientist tasked with populating a distant planet with Earth’s diverse creatures. Using multi-colored gene tokens, you’ll complete DNA sequences to bring new species to life, strategically placing them on modular regions to maximize points. As you create new lifeforms, you’ll unlock powerful effects and score bonus points by matching genes to their ideal habitats. Prove your strategic mastery and populate the most successful species to claim victory! On their turn, players can choose between two main actions: Prepare Projects or Populate Creatures. When preparing projects, players draw gene tokens from the gene bag, buy new DNA project cards, or place gene tokens onto their projects. Once a project card is completed with gene tokens, players can take the Populate action, placing their creatures onto the modular game board. Creatures earn points by matching gene colors with region colors or favored habitats, and some creatures even have instant or permanent abilities that provide additional benefits during or after population. The game ends when a player completes their final project—7, 8, or 9 projects, depending on the number of players. Victory points are scored throughout the game based on population, creature abilities, and endgame effects, but the final tally includes bonuses for creature sets and gene tokens in your supply. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game is the winner, claiming the title of the ultimate creator in this new world! —description from the publisher
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Timashov Publishing
Questions and answers
DNA: The New Origin of Species supports 1–4 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 DNA: The New Origin of Species is 45–75 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 DNA: The New Origin of Species for ages 10 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.
DNA: The New Origin of Species has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
DNA: The New Origin of Species belongs to these categories: Animals, Territory Building, and Environmental. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Pattern Movement, 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 DNA: The New Origin of Species are: Yuri Lanovenchik. 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 DNA: The New Origin of Species 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.