In a far-distant future, humans no longer inhabit Earth. The cause of their disappearance (or perhaps their demise) is unknown, but their absence left a void ready to be filled by another sentient species.

Over the span of untold generations, one species of the humble honeybee evolved to fill that void. They grew in size and intelligence to become a highly advanced society. They call themselves Mellifera, and they have made substantial technological advances in addition to the technology they adapted from human ruins, up to and including space travel.

In Apiary, each player controls 1 of 20 unique factions. Your faction starts the game with a hive, a few resources, and worker bees. A worker-placement, hivebuilding challenge awaits you: explore planets, gather resources, develop technologies, and create carvings to demonstrate your faction’s strengths (measured in victory points) over one year’s Flow. However, the Dearth quickly approaches, and your workers can only take a few actions–with benefits increasing relative to worker strength, culminating in powerful strength-4 bonuses–before they must hibernate!

If you enjoy Teotihuacan, Honey Buzz, Tzolk’in, and/or Euphoria, we’re excited for you to play Apiary!

Components

• 1 multiplayer rulebook, 1 Automa solo rulebook, 1 appendix, 1 teaching guide, and 5 player aids
• 1 double-sided game board (for 1-3 players and 4-5 players; 650x560mm)
• 5 asymmetric hive mats (280x230mm) and 20 asymmetric faction tiles (randomize your pairing using this optional web app)
• 59 cards (57x87mm; 45 seed cards and 14 Automa cards)
• 1 insert (designed to hold sleeved cards) and 1 easy-setup resource tray: see this photo guide for the insert organization

Estimated Schedule

• September 6: announcement and beginning of design diaries
• October 2: first day for reviewers and content creators to share their thoughts on the game
• October 4: product launch on the Stonemaier webstore (followed by shipping starting in mid-October and continuing through early November) and at Essen Spiel
• November 17, 2023: worldwide retail release

 

• 1–5 Players
• 60–90 Min
• Age: 14+