The Dinosaur Game: Survival or Extinction Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Objective
• Preparation
• Food Squares
• Natural Disaster Squares (Peach)
• Danger Zone Squares (Yellow)
• Challenge Squares (Blue)
• Habitats
• Attack Situation
• Running Out of Food
• Moving Backward or Forward on the Board
• Winning the Game
• Dinosaur Description Cards
• Non-Reader Version Rules (Ages 5-6)
  • Non-Reader Objective
  • Non-Reader Preparation
  • Non-Reader Food Squares
  • Non-Reader Natural Disaster Squares (Peach)
  • Non-Reader Danger Zone Squares (Yellow)
  • Non-Reader Attack Situation
  • Non-Reader Running Out of Food
  • Non-Reader Winning the Game

Objective

To be the first dinosaur player to reach the FINISH square with at least one food token.

Preparation

1. Find the DINOSAUR DESCRIPTION CARDS and randomly pass out one card to each player. You are now that dinosaur!

2. Familiarize yourself with your name, habitat, and characteristics. Notice the symbols (+, 0, -) next to the eight different dinosaur characteristics. The symbol key is:

   + is above average 0 is average - is below average

   These symbols help you to compare the strengths and weaknesses of your dinosaur against other dinosaur players. When you land on certain squares the instructions you receive will refer you to these symbols for comparisons between the dinosaurs.

3. Pick a colored dinosaur token to move around the board. Each player then places his/her token on the START square.

   By now your dinosaur is hungry and needs food tokens!

4. Choose one player to be in charge of the food tokens. Pass out five food tokens to each player.

   You need these food tokens to survive!

5. Place the ATTACK, CHALLENGE and NATURAL DISASTER cards face down.

6. Roll the die. The player with the highest number takes the first turn. Proceed clockwise.

Food Squares

Dinosaur players need to collect food tokens! You get food tokens when you land on the food squares. Check your Dinosaur description card to see if you are a herbivore (plant-eating dinosaur) or a carnivore (meat-eating dinosaur).

• HERBIVORE: Receive one food token each time you land on a green leaf food square.
• CARNIVORE: Receive one food token each time you land on a brown bone food square.

Natural Disaster Squares (Peach)

Dinosaurs encountered many natural disasters. When you land on a NATURAL DISASTER SQUARE pick a NATURAL DISASTER card and follow the instructions on the card. If the card says HABITAT SAFE you are safe from this natural disaster if you are in your own habitat (check your DINOSAUR DESCRIPTION card for your habitat).

Danger Zone Squares (Yellow)

There are six DANGER ZONES on the board. Follow the instructions on the square.

Challenge Squares (Blue)

When you land on a CHALLENGE SQUARE you pick a CHALLENGE card and follow the instructions. You will have choices to make. These choices reflect your dinosaur's ability to adapt to different situations. Think carefully about which choice will help your dinosaur to survive!

Habitats

The four different habitats on the board are SWAMP, DESERT, PLAINS, and FOREST. Your habitat is your natural environment where you normally live and easily find food tokens. You receive one food token every time you cross the border to enter your habitat. To claim your food tokens you must say:

"I am a (your dinosaur name). I live in the (habitat name). I want my food token!"

For example: "I am an ALLOSAURUS. I live in the FOREST. I want my food token!"

Warning: You must remember to claim your food token on the turn when you cross into your habitat, otherwise you will not receive the food token. Pay close attention because you will cross your border several times during the game.

Attack Situation

Watch out for attacking dinosaurs! Any time you land on a square already occupied by one or more players an attack situation occurs. In an attack situation you ignore the instructions on that square. Pick an ATTACK card and follow the instructions. In case of a tie:

1. The dinosaur in its own habitat wins.
2. If no dinosaur is in its own habitat, pick a second ATTACK card.
3. If a tie situation still exists, the turn passes to the next player.

Running Out of Food

If you run out of food tokens you get one chance during the game to receive three food tokens from the bank. In this case you must go back 10 spaces. The second time you run out of food tokens you are out of the game.

Food tokens are very important! They will determine your Survival or Extinction®.

Moving Backward or Forward on the Board

Sometimes you will be instructed to move your dinosaur forward or backward. When this occurs simply move the number of squares indicated. DO NOT play the square you land on unless another dinosaur is there. In that case attack that dinosaur.

Winning the Game

The dinosaur player who reaches the END square first with at least one food token wins! To win you must roll the exact number to land on the END square.

Alternative version of game play (if more than four players): In order to speed up the game, use two dice instead of one. In this version, a player does not need to roll the exact number to land on the END square and win.

Dinosaur Description Cards

The Dinosaur Description cards refer to characteristics and habitats of the dinosaurs. We do not know these parameters for certain at this time. This information for each dinosaur is provided speculatively for the purpose of playing the game.

Non-Reader Version Rules (Ages 5-6)

Millions of years ago dinosaurs ruled the earth. They constantly searched for food, struggling to survive. You are now about to become one of those dinosaurs. As a dinosaur player you will face many dangers including: running out of food tokens, attacks from other dinosaur players, and natural disasters that may cause you to become extinct. Pay close attention to the rules to improve you chances for survival.

Non-Reader Objective

To be the first dinosaur player to reach the FINISH square with at least one food token.

Non-Reader Preparation

1. Find the DINOSAUR DESCRIPTION CARDS and randomly pass out one card to each player. You are now that dinosaur!

2. Pick a colored dinosaur token to move around the board. Each player then places his/her token on the START square.

   By now your dinosaur is hungry and needs food tokens!

3. Choose one player to be in charge of the food tokens. Pass out five food tokens to each player.

   You need this food to survive!

4. Roll the die. The player with the highest number takes the first turn. Proceed clockwise.

In this version the Natural Disaster, Challenge and Attack cards are not used.

Non-Reader Food Squares

Dinosaurs players need to collect food tokens! You get food tokens when you land on the food squares. Check your Dinosaur description card to see if you are a herbivore (plant-eating dinosaur) or a carnivore (meat-eating dinosaur).

• HERBIVORE: Receive one food token each time you land on a green leaf food square.
• CARNIVORE: Receive one food token each time you land on a brown bone food square.

Non-Reader Natural Disaster Squares (Peach)

Lose one food token every time you land on a NATURAL DISASTER SQUARE.

Non-Reader Danger Zone Squares (Yellow)

There are six DANGER ZONES on the board. Follow the instructions on the squares. The arrow points the direction you need to move.

Non-Reader Attack Situation

Any time you land on a square already occupied by one or more dinosaur players, an attack situation occurs. Each player rolls the die. The highest number receives one food token from each loser. In the case of a tie, roll again.

Non-Reader Running Out of Food

If you run out of food you are out of the game.

Non-Reader Winning the Game

The dinosaur player who reaches the END square first with at least one food token wins! To win you must roll the exact number to land on the END square.

Alternative version of game play (if more than four players): In order to speed up the game, use two dice instead of one. In this version, a player does not need to roll the exact number to land on the END square and win.

Warning: Choking hazard - small parts. Not intended for children under 3 yr.