In the card game Race for the Galaxy, players build galactic civilizations by playing game cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments. Some worlds allow players to produce goods, which can be consumed later to gain either card draws or victory points when the appropriate technologies are available. These benefits are mainly provided by the developments and worlds that do not produce, but the more advanced production worlds also offer these bonuses.

At the beginning of each round, players secretly and simultaneously select one of the seven roles that correspond to the phases of the round. By selecting a role, players activate that phase for the round, allowing each player to perform that phase's action. For example, if one player chooses the settle role, each player has the opportunity to settle one of the planets from their hand. The player who has chosen the role, however, receives a bonus that applies only to them. Bonuses may also be acquired through developments, so players must be aware when another player takes advantage of their choice of role.