# Innovation

Innovation is a board game for 2–5 players. It plays in 20–60 minutes and is meant for ages 12 and up. Ludoya players call it best with 2. It is rated 7.2 out of 10 by 64 Ludoya reviewers. The cheapest copy in stock is $15.99 (United States).

- **Players:** 2–5 (best with 2)
- **Playing time:** 20–60 minutes
- **Minimum age:** 12+
- **Complexity:** 2.8 out of 5
- **Year published:** 2010
- **Categories:** Card Game, Civilization
- **Mechanics:** Tech Trees / Tech Tracks, Hand Management, Take That, Tags, Layering, Follow, Sudden Death Ending, Melding and Splaying
- **Ludoya rating:** 7.2 out of 10, from 64 reviews
- **Owned by:** 114 Ludoya players
- **Plays logged on Ludoya:** 896
- **Unique players:** 367

**Designers:** Carl Chudyk

**Artists:** Robin Olausson, Carl Chudyk, Cara Judd, Alanna Cervenak, Robert Simmons, Anders Olausson, Christophe Swal, Cyril Van Der Haegen

**Publishers:** Asmadi Games

## Where to buy in United States

| Shop | Price | Link |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cardhaus Games | 15.99 $ | https://www.cardhaus.com/innovation-4th-edition/ |
| Board Game Bliss | 23.95 $ | https://www.boardgamebliss.com/products/innovation-third-edition |
| Rampi Games | 17.5 € | https://www.rampigames.com/juego-de-mesa/innovation/ |
| Alphaspel | 185 kr | https://alphaspel.se/491-bradspel/159217-innovation-iello-ed |
| Dungeon Marvels | 17.1 € | https://dungeonmarvels.com/innovation-castellano-97935.html |
| Zacatrus | 17.1 € | https://zacatrus.es/innovation-2026.html |
| La Gameria | 17.95 € | https://gameria.es/juegos-de-mesa/innovation-20266.html |
| Goblin Trader Barcelona | 19 € | https://www.goblintrader.es/es/inicio/58733-innovation-8436623243487.html |
| World of Board Games | 219 kr | https://www.worldofboardgames.com/innovation-4th-edition |
| Gameology | 36.45 $ | https://www.gameology.com.au/products/innovation-4th-edition |
| Good Games | 36.45 $ | https://www.goodgames.com.au/products/innovation-4th-edition |
| Spielezar | 22.9 Fr. | https://www.spielezar.ch/kartenspiele/innovation-en |

## Expansions

- [Innovation: Echoes of the Past](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-echoes-of-the-past)
- [Innovation: Figures in the Sand](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-figures-in-the-sand)
- [Innovation: Cities of Destiny](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-cities-of-destiny)
- [Innovation: Artifacts of History](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-artifacts-of-history)

## Similar games

- [Innovation Ultimate](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-ultimate)
- [Innovation Deluxe](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation-deluxe)
- [7 Wonders Duel](https://www.ludoya.com/games/7-wonders-duel)
- [Forest Shuffle](https://www.ludoya.com/games/forest-shuffle)
- [Race for the Galaxy](https://www.ludoya.com/games/race-for-the-galaxy)
- [Citizens of the Spark](https://www.ludoya.com/games/citizens-of-the-spark)
- [Path of Civilization](https://www.ludoya.com/games/path-of-civilization)
- [Roll for the Galaxy](https://www.ludoya.com/games/roll-for-the-galaxy)
- [Daybreak](https://www.ludoya.com/games/daybreak)
- [7 Wonders](https://www.ludoya.com/games/7-wonders)
- [The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth](https://www.ludoya.com/games/the-lord-of-the-rings-duel-for-middle-earth)
- [Glory to Rome](https://www.ludoya.com/games/glory-to-rome)

## Rules questions

### When an Echo effect triggers, who resolves it and in what order?

Echo (dogma) effects execute in the numeric order printed and each effect is shared with eligible players according to the card’s instructions; multiple echo effects resolve sequentially (pages 4–5, 13).

### How do bonus icons score?

Your single highest bonus icon counts at its full bonus value, and each additional bonus icon beyond that adds +1 to the bonus total (page 6); see examples on page 7.  

### Do I have to reveal my hand or other private information?

Information is private unless a rule or effect explicitly makes it public—hands remain hidden except when a card or effect tells you to reveal (page 9).

### What happens if a dogma or demand asks for a card or value I don’t have?

If a required value or card is missing you skip that part of the effect; the rest of the dogma/demand (or other parts that can be performed) still resolves according to the rules (page 13).

### How does the forecast/foreshadow mechanic work — when are forecast cards promoted and can they trigger dogma?

Melded cards placed into your forecast area remain there until promoted; after a meld you promote forecast cards as described, and promotions can grant free dogma actions when the card’s text specifies (page 3).

## Links

- [This page](https://www.ludoya.com/games/innovation)
- [Innovation in the Ludoya app](https://app.ludoya.com/g/innovation)
- [BoardGameGeek entry](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/63888)

_Data from Ludoya, updated 2026-09-19. Ratings, ownership and play counts are Ludoya's own._