It Flies, It Spies: How to Play the Spy Plane Game
By Ridley's Games -Google | Published: 2026-10-29
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to play It Flies, It Spies, the Ridley's Games spy plane game. Step-by-step setup, gameplay, and winning tips for this fast-paced gossip race.
Quick Answer
It Flies, It Spies is a fast-paced card game where you race pigeons across London to deliver a juicy scoop to the News Coop. Learn the setup, turn structure, and winning conditions below.
Why This Game Stands Out
It Flies, It Spies turns gossip into a competitive race. You're not just collecting cards—you're outmaneuvering rivals and dodging drones to be first with the story. The theme is playful but the strategy runs deep.
The game is designed for players who enjoy a mix of luck and tactical card play. Each round forces you to choose between advancing quickly or holding back to avoid detection.
Player Count and Game Length
It Flies, It Spies works best with 3-5 players, making it ideal for small groups or family gatherings. A typical game lasts 20-30 minutes, so it fits easily into a game night lineup.
The compact box and simple rules mean you can teach it in under five minutes, even to players new to card games.
How to Play It Flies, It Spies
- Setup the Game: Shuffle the deck and deal each player a hand of cards. Place the News Coop card at the center of the play area. Each player chooses a pigeon token and places it at the starting position. Make sure all players have equal hand sizes before starting to keep the race fair.
- Understand Turn Structure: On your turn, play a card from your hand to move your pigeon forward. Some cards allow special actions, like moving an opponent backward or forcing a drone to scan a space. After playing, draw a card to maintain your hand size. Always keep at least one card in hand for defense; playing everything leaves you vulnerable.
- Dodge Drones: If your pigeon lands on a drone space, you must discard a card or move back two spaces. Plan your route to avoid these hazards, or save cards that let you bypass them. Memorize drone positions early to plan the safest path to the News Coop.
- Reach the News Coop: The first player to land exactly on the News Coop space wins the round. If you overshoot, you must bounce back, so count carefully before playing a movement card. If you're close, consider playing a lower-value card to land precisely rather than overshooting.
- Win the Game: Play multiple rounds until one player wins a set number of rounds (e.g., first to 3). This adds consistency and rewards strategic play over lucky draws. Track round wins on a scorepad to avoid disputes.
Product Spotlight
- It Flies, It Spies: THE PIGEONS ARE LISTENING – those flying sources are competing to break the next big story. And now, you're one of them! This is a game for gossips and people who will do what it takes to win. After all, there's nothing like a bit of healthy competition. This theme drives the gameplay: you'll embrace a sneaky, competitive mindset to outwit opponents and claim the scoop.
It Flies, It Spies - It Flies, It Spies: THIS IS A RACE – Use your cards to soar across London's skies and land your salacious scoop at News Coop to win. But beware: watchful drones and your competition will… The race mechanic keeps every turn tense, as you balance speed against the risk of being spotted by drones.
