In Bios: Genesis, players try to guide the development of life from the earliest periods in the history of life on Earth, starting with basic organic compounds and developing into increasingly complex lifeforms. The game is based on current scientific understanding of the early stages of life development. It can be played competitively, cooperatively, or solitaire. Bios: Genesis is also designed to link up with two future Ekland projects: Bios: Megafauna, scheduled for later this year, and Bios: Origins, which is planned for 2018.
The first edition was released last year and quickly sold out. The new edition will feature upgraded artwork showing more biological details, improved graphic design, and an updated rulebook. Due to the extensive component changes, the new edition will not be compatible with the original version, but Sierra Madre is offering an upgrade pack for owners of the first edition.
Sierra Madre is funding the project through a Kickstarter campaign which easily reached its modest $7,900 goal in less than four hours. With 19 days remaining in the campaign, it has broken the $80,000 mark, with pledges from over 2,000 backers. The campaign does include a retailer-only backer option. Backer fulfillment is scheduled for October, with release into trade distribution to follow.
Another Eckland design, Pax Renaissance, was released late last year by Mr. B Games (see “Control the Fortunes of Kings and Republics in ‘Pax Renaissance’”).
