Altay - Dawn of Civilization is a deck-building civilization game, set in a mythic age. In a secluded region within a vast continent, four mysterious societies have cultivated distinct cultures over countless years, maintaining a fragile balance. They now confront a new challenge: the influx of human settlers with advanced crafts and weapons. As the leader of one of Altay's Elder Peoples, you have the choice how to react to this challenge. The game board depicts a region where the four factions clash, each area characterized by diverse terrain types and resources. Players control one of four factions, each represented by a unique starting deck, featuring distinctions in the number of "basic" cards and faction-specific cards. During each turn, players use their cards to generate resources, erect new settlements, expand across the board, engage in maneuvers against adversaries, or obtain new cards to augment their decks, symbolizing the integration of the Elder Peoples with the newcomers and their crafts.