Comparison

GoPlayDOT vs Ark Nova

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GoPlayDOT

Read full description

DOT is a mobile app game – played in the physical world! The world is your game board and you are a dot moving around. DOT is not played as any other mobile game, but is played in real life! The game technology is based on GPS information from your mobile phone and as a DOT player, you have to move around physically to be part of the game. DOT resembles the classic game of tag, but combines the well-known game mechanics with elements of geocaching, live-action-gaming and urban exploration. DOT can be played in familiar surroundings by a small group, or on a massive scale encompassing your whole city. In the game you are a coloured DOT. On your phone you will be able to see the proximity and direction of your fellow DOT players. You must catch and absorb the colour from dots in other colors by using your DOT Boost. The aim is to catch as many DOTs as possible without getting your own colour absorbed by another player. For more exemplified game rules and how and where to play got to goplaydot.com GoPlayDOT

About

Ark Nova

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

Highlights
  • Plan and design a modern zoo
  • Build enclosures and accommodate animals
  • Support global conservation projects
  • Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects)
  • Upgrade action cards for gameplay
  • Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation
Features
Read full description

Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects in an acclaimed strategy board game. In Ark Nova, you will plan and design a modern, scientifically managed zoo. With the ultimate goal of owning the most successful zoological establishment, you will build enclosures, accommodate animals, and support conservation projects all over the world. Specialists and unique buildings will help you in achieving this goal. At the heart of Ark Nova are 255 cards featuring animals, specialists, unique enclosures, and conservation projects, each with a particular ability. Use them to increase the appeal and scientific reputation of your zoo and to collect conservation points. Each player has a set of action cards, which you will use and upgrade to carry out your plans. Each player has a set of five action cards to manage their gameplay, and the power of an action is determined by the slot the card currently occupies. The cards are: BUILD: Allows you to build standard or special enclosures, kiosks, and pavilions. ANIMALS: Allows you to accommodate animals in your zoo. CARDS: Allows you to gain new zoo cards (animals, sponsors, and conservation project cards). ASSOCIATION: Allows your association workers to carry out different tasks. SPONSORS: Allows you to play a sponsor card in your zoo or to raise money. With high replayability and rich components, Ark Nova provides a remarkable gaming experience that will bring the game to the table again and again.

Screenshots

GoPlayDOT3 screens
Ark Nova4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: GoPlayDOT at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. GoPlayDOT also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Ark Nova's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and chart position (#25 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

GoPlayDOT is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GoPlayDOT ships an update every 4 months, Ark Nova fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
GoPlayDOT versus Ark Nova: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoPlayDOTArk Nova
PriceFree — better$10.99
Rating—4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—72.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—1.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#25 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB682 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoPlayDot IVSDire Wolf Digital

Bugs and requests

GoPlayDOT

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ark Nova

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • iPad Flash exit issue
  • Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
  • Full screen mode
  • Option to reverse zoom direction
  • Improved card readability/zoom

In-app purchases

None

GoPlayDOT

No in-app purchases

None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GoPlayDOT free?
GoPlayDOT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do GoPlayDOT or Ark Nova have ads?
Neither GoPlayDOT nor Ark Nova shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GoPlayDOT or Ark Nova?
GoPlayDOT ships an update every 4 months, and Ark Nova fortnightly. Most recently, GoPlayDOT was updated on September 27, 2026 and Ark Nova on October 14, 2026.

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