- BGG rank
- BGG #5,048
- BGG rating
- 6.2
504
- 2–4 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,615
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Extinction: The Game Of Ecology
1970
Rules assistance for Extinction: The Game Of Ecology
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Extinction: The Game Of Ecology
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Extinction: The Game Of Ecology is a board game released in 1970 for 2–4 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Stephen P. Hubbell and Margie Piret and its main mechanics are Area Movement and Enclosure.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,347
- BGG rating
- 6.3
EVE: Conquests
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2009
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,612
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Oklahoma Boomers
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,227
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Tako Judo
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,222
- BGG rating
- 5.1
Safari Round Up
- 2–4 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 1973
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,640
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Hacienda
- 2–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,837
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Oasis
- 3–5 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,307
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Haven
- 2 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,597
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Heartland
- 2–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2009
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,171
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Hacienda (Second Edition)
- 2–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,883
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Paddy
- 2–4 players
- 35–45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,615
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Kraby
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2009
About the game
You are the head of an entire species. You are responsible for migration, reproduction, and compete with and Prey on the other species. The board is divided into numerous hexagons representing different habitat areas. Six different gene cards are drawn to dictate the different aspects of life. Players take turns drawing environmental change cards that affect them and sometimes all players. Play continues until only one species survives. This game challenges all your strategy and can take sudden unexpected turns. Build your populations strength but be careful if you get to big, You may be surprised by a famine or plague and end up EXTINCT.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Carolina Biological Supply Company
- Sinauer Associates, Inc.
Questions and answers
Extinction: The Game Of Ecology 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 Extinction: The Game Of Ecology is 120 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 Extinction: The Game Of Ecology 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.
Extinction: The Game Of Ecology 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.
Extinction: The Game Of Ecology belongs to these categories: Animals and Territory Building. Its main mechanics are Area Movement and Enclosure. 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 Extinction: The Game Of Ecology are: Stephen P. Hubbell and Margie Piret. 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 Extinction: The Game Of Ecology 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.