Payload 🚀 is a strategic tabletop card game set in the middle of a competitive space race. You don t need any rocket science knowledge to play—just smart decisions, good timing, and a willingness to take risks. The game uses real rocket ideas like thrust, stability, and safety, but keeps everything approachable, tense, and fun. The game in brief Payload is a 1–5 player game, for ages 14+, and plays in about 30–45 minutes. Each player runs a growing space company, building rockets and launching payloads to score the most points by the end of the game. On each turn, players buy rocket parts, hire engineers, upgrade systems, use special operations, or attempt risky launches. Payloads aren t handed out upfront—they re acquired through competitive bidding during the game, once you re ready to take on a mission. Bid low to earn money, but risk losing the contract to a rival. Building a rocket is all about smart combinations. Parts provide different attributes, engineers boost performance, and matching colors can earn Shields—valuable experience that helps you survive upgrades and launches. When you finally commit to launch, dice decide your fate in a dramatic 3… 2… 1… Liftoff! You can push your luck, spend Shields to improve rolls, or abort early to gain experience. The game ends after the payload market runs out and players finish their final turns. Points come from successfully launched payloads, retained rocket parts, and leftover money—while unfinished missions can cost you points. Payload is about timing, engineering trade-offs, and knowing when to take risks. Every launch matters, every decision feels earned, and no two space companies grow the same way. 🚀 Please check the rulebook from the Files tab. -description from designer

We may earn a small commission when you buy through these links.