Originally published in 2001, Funkenschlag became a modern board game classic. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, designer Friedemann Friese takes players far back in time with Funkenschlag: The First Sparks.

The First Sparks transports the familiar Funkenschlag mechanisms into the Stone Age. Players will recognize the structure of game rounds, player order, and technology cards, but the experience is faster, more direct, and highly interactive.

As a clan leader, you are responsible for the survival and growth of your clan. You must develop new hunting technologies, gain knowledge, and learn to control fire in order to hunt successfully and gather enough food. Feeding your clan allows you to expand across the board and reach new hunting areas.

Every turn presents meaningful decisions: which technologies to acquire, when to expand your clan, and which hunting areas will provide the most food. Expanding into empty areas is cheaper than settling near rival clans, adding another layer of strategic tension.

The game ends when a player is the first to grow their clan to 13 members, claiming victory in Funkenschlag: The First Sparks.