Beyond EPICA: The Game

Ice cores are a cornerstone of climate research, offering invaluable data on past atmospheric conditions to help us understand current climate change. The Beyond EPICA project seeks to recover a stratigraphically intact ice core from East Antarctica, capturing a record of atmospheric gases spanning 1.5 million years to study the mid-Pleistocene climate transition.

However, drilling ice cores in Antarctica is no easy feat. Fieldwork on the Antarctic Plateau is marked by extreme conditions and unexpected challenges—often humorous, sometimes frustrating, occasionally even catastrophic. Inspired by these real-life experiences and developed in Antarctica itself, Beyond EPICA: The Game invites players to step into the heart of this scientific adventure.

Designed for 2–8 players, the game combines strategy, teamwork, and resilience as players take on the roles of Beyond EPICA field participants. Players must navigate logistical and environmental obstacles to reach the Little Dome C drill site and complete their ice core—managing resources, overcoming setbacks, and maintaining mental stamina along the way. Action cards featuring real-world scenarios—such as equipment failures, harsh weather, and the trials of daily life—immerse players in the realities of Antarctic fieldwork. Modular rules allow for flexible gameplay, while card annotations provide deeper insights into the challenges of polar research.

Beyond EPICA: The Game serves as an engaging educational tool, offering players a hands-on understanding of the science, logistics, and human effort behind ice-core drilling. It provides an opportunity to explore the intersection of climate research and polar exploration, fostering curiosity and appreciation for geoscientific endeavors.