Terra Nova is a microsite of Wizard's Hat

Introduction

This is the home page for Terra Nova, a game in ongoing development by Richard Egan, Bill O'Neill and John Cudmore. The following links provide access to the definitive documents for the game. This is now to be regarded as the repositry of the "current" rules, map, etc. For commentary on the game's development, see below.

Revision History

Rules, Version 3.0
Major new version developed in Portugal, August 2004. Rules are available in Microsoft Word format, and include a revision history at the start.
Rules, Version 3.0 (293Kb)

Rules, Version 2.4
Version 2.4 in a single web page (large file to download). The last full version of the 2.0 rules, based on the 2.3.1 rules, and representing an attempt to tidy up some of the loose ends. Revisions are noted at the start.
Rules, Version 2.4 (147Kb)

The Map (2.4) Two versions of the version 2.4 map (game board) are available. A Flash version and a GIF image Neither is small, but the Flash version is strongly recommended over the other, assuming you have Flash available (and, let's face it, you really should. Wizard's Hat assumes Flash as a minimum requirement, you know. You can zoom in and out, and all sorts of funky stuff). Flash version (179Kb) | GIF image (110Kb)

Game Charts
Two charts, one covering VP and DP awards, the other all key Reference Tables used in the game. To preserve the formatting necessary to cram them onto a minimum number of sheets (for convenience when playing the game), both are maintained in Microsoft Word format. Users of browsers other than IE (or users of Real download managers) may need to right-click these links and "Save as...". Be sure to download the correct version:
Version 3.0 : Game tables | VP & DP Awards

Archive
Version 2.5 : Game tables
Version 2.4 : Game tables

Blackbeard
John Cudmore's alternative scenario for Terra Nova, a 3-player game set later than the standard version. Again, this is a Microsoft Word document (see above).
Blackbeard [48Kb]

East Indies Rules
A rules expansion for the game. Not generally used unless unlimited time is available!
East Indies Rules Expansion

Suggestions and ideas
These are suggestions, ideas or improvements not yet developed, as yet not included in the rules, or removed from earlier versions. They are generally undeveloped.
Suggestions & ideas

Native American Tribes
A rule idea as yet undeveloped, but with associated research in hand.
Native American Tribes (Idea)

Background
Some general-purpose background detail.
Background

Commentary

In August 2004, we playtested (twice) a new version of Terra Nova while on holiday in Portugal. These playtests, using a transitional set of rules and a prototype new map was dubbed Version 2.5, and resulted in substantial further revision and a finalised map for Version 3. This represents a very different game to the version 2 editions, with settlement evolution replacing Conquistador's automatic game progression. Furthermore, Terra Nova has now been substantially re-balanced to depend less on a fixed number of players. Doubts remain about the relative value of fur trading and the fisheries.

Version 2.4 of the rules was primarily notable for changes to the Monarchs, which finally shake off perhaps one of the longest-standing throwbacks to Conquistador. However, they also reprsent an attempt to tidy up many of the loose ends and glaring inconsistencies. Some will doubtless remain, but there has been a real effort to knock the rules into shape after the deabcle around losing the 2.3 rules. The level of consolidation may not be all we might want as yet, but a big step has been made in that direction (ironically, given the declared objective of "scaling back chrome" with 2.4, the most notable change was the introduction of big chrome for monarchs ;) but the removal of Pioneers is definitely a step in the right direction).

JC notes in his Blackbeard rules that some recent games might not have been quite as much fun as some of the earlier ones. Personally, I don't find this surprising: some of the originality has been lost over 10+ years of play, for those of us who have known and played and developed the game over those years. A revival of discussion about alternative mileu for a game drawing on Terra Nova seems timely - whether it be space exploration and colonisation, the East Indies, or a random-map version of the current game ... or something completely different. And Terra Nova seems to have a longevity which suggests it might still be trusted to amuse, when dusted off once in a while.

Hee-haw ....

Notice

Terra Nova is a development influenced and inspired by the Avalon Hill game CONQUISTADOR. Please do not for any reason download these files except for strictly personal use. Please do not in any way publish or distribute them. These pages are for private reference only, and should not be regarded as in the public domain.

Images on this page: Above, right, a Courier de Bois.