Abstract Academy

Shuffle each deck of cards (Canvas, Inspiration, Assignment, Professor, First Player, and Reference cards) separately and place them in the middle of the table. Each player then draws three Canvas cards to form their starting hand. The First Player is determined by who was last in an art class or chosen randomly.

The objective of Abstract Academy is to accumulate the most points by creating the most beautiful paintings. Players achieve this by strategically placing Canvas cards to form patterns and areas of color that fulfill the conditions on Inspiration, Assignment, and Professor cards.

Abstract Academy is played over three rounds. At the start of each round, draw one Inspiration card and add it to your hand. The First Player then draws additional cards based on the current round: Round 1 (one Assignment card of each color), Round 2 (two Professor cards), Round 3 (one Professor card and two Assignment cards of any color). On your turn, you must place a Canvas card from your hand into the shared playing area, ensuring it maintains the same orientation as previously placed cards and contributes to forming a 4x4 grid (5x5 for 4 players). Once four cards are placed along one side, no more cards can be placed on that side. After placing a card, draw another Canvas card from the deck.

At the end of each round, players score points based on their 'scoring zone' (the two rows closest to them). First, Inspiration cards are scored: if a player has a pattern in their scoring zone matching an Inspiration card (regardless of color), they score 2 points. Inspiration cards can be rotated. If not used, they can be kept for a future turn. Next, Assignment cards are scored: the player with the best match to the objective on each Assignment card, using only one color from their scoring zone, scores 3 points. Finally, Professor cards are scored: the player with the best match to the objective on each Professor card, using one or more colors from their scoring zone, scores 5 points. Claimed cards are placed face down in front of the player. In case of a tie for Assignment or Professor cards, the player with the First Player card wins the tie and takes the contested card, then passes the First Player card to the opponent.

The game of Abstract Academy concludes after the completion of three rounds. Players then calculate their total points from all the cards they have collected throughout the game. The player with the highest total score is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the tie-breaker is determined by the player who has the most Professor cards. If there is still a tie, the player currently holding the First Player card wins.