Editing Cosmic Encounter (section)

{{Short description|Science fiction board game}}
{{Infobox Game
| subject_name  = Cosmic Encounter
| image_link    = [[Image:Cosmic Encounter (FFG).jpg|256px|The cover of the current edition of Cosmic Encounter, from Fantasy Flight Games.]]
| image_caption = 
| designer      = [[Peter Olotka]], Jack Kittredge, Bill Eberle, Bill Norton
| publisher     = [[Eon Products, Inc]], [[West End Games]], [[Games Workshop]] [[Mayfair Games]], [[Avalon Hill]], [[Fantasy Flight Games]]
| players       = 3–6+ (depending on edition)
| ages          = 12+
| setup_time    = 5–10 minutes
| playing_time  = 20–120+ minutes
| random_chance = Medium
| skills        = Prediction, diplomacy, card management
| footnotes     = 
| bggid         = 
}}

'''''Cosmic Encounter''''' is a [[science fiction]]–themed [[Strategy game|strategy]] [[board game]] designed by "Future Pastimes" (collectively, [[Peter Olotka]], Jack Kittredge and Bill Eberle, with Bill Norton) and originally published by [[Eon Games]] in [[1977 in games|1977]]. In it, each player takes the role of a particular alien species, each with a unique power to bend or break one of the rules of the game, trying to establish control over the [[universe]]. The game was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame in 1997.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1996/list-of-winners 
 |title=Origins Award Winners (1996) 
 |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design 
 |access-date=2007-11-02 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221022725/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1996/list-of-winners 
 |archive-date=2007-12-21 
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref>

''Cosmic Encounter'' is a dynamic and social game, with players being encouraged to interact, argue, form alliances, make deals, double-cross, and occasionally work together to protect the common good. Most editions of the game are designed for three to five players, although official rules exist for playing with as many as eight players.