Around the Table Q4 2023

Q4 2023

GAMA EXPO Just around the corner in Louisville, KY. p.22

Open rates. Click throughs.

ROI. Likes. Follows.

Product views.

Understanding which data is important, and when, is critical. p.62

Pyramidice

A Card and Dice Challenge in Ancient Egypt

by Daniele Ursini, Developer, Ergo Ludo Editions

P

yramidice is the new game by Luigi Ferrini who, after designing The Golden Ages, returns to ancient civilizations, this time focusing on Egypt.

The Italian designer plunges into the sand dunes with his effective style. No superfluous element resists the heat of the desert; the result is a linear game full of crucial choices. The setting is also expertly embroidered and meticulously detailed.

In Pyramidice, players assume the role of ancient architects called upon to vie for the Pharaoh’s respect through the construction of majestic pyramids. The Egyptian gods are also present and demand worship, promising their followers great power in return.

Developed by Italian board game studio Ergo Ludo, the game is published in English edition by Ares Games.

Dualism is one of the cornerstones on which Pyramidice is built. On the one hand, the pyramids and the gods are the two strategies for gaining more prestige points. On the other hand is the constant choice between rest turns and work turns. In both cases, it will be necessary

aresgames.eu

to switch from one to the other and vice versa – to pray to a god or to abandon its worship, to build the gigantic bricks of a pyramid or to rest in order to hire new workers, and all this without ever diverting attention from the opponents’ game.

Indirect interaction due to timing is among the most intense aspects of the game, which combines card combo mechanics with dice management.

Knowing how to read the opponent’s moves so well as to anticipate them can prove decisive in the pursuit of victory, as well as knowing how to best combine the powers of the deity cards with the unique abilities provided by the sacred scarabs.

Variability has been meticulously taken care of. All game elements are orchestrated so that each game will offer new challenges to the players and requires different strategies. The unique combination of all the components in the game asks players to discover a different path to victory each time.

Pyramidice also includes a solitaire mode with incremental difficulty. Four Great Architects of ancient Egypt, with unique characteristics and different challenge levels, are represented on the back of the players’ mats, ready to challenge you for immortality. The solo game is easy to learn and quick to play, but hard to win. Prevailing against the Great Architects will be a tough task.

Rarely has any Egyptian-themed game featured such a vast pantheon: 38 different deities, masterfully illustrated

by Quentin Regnes and Oscar Casel. The two artists have developed a personal interpretation, both traditional and modern, while avoiding super heroic overtones and staying true to this mysterious and fascinating civilization. In addition to the illustrations, all graphics imbue the players with a sense of the land of ancient pharaohs through soft tones and evocative images.

Attention to detail is how Pyramidice engages casual and experienced players alike, presenting itself as a game that embraces the many souls of the gaming world. It is difficult to list all its features in one article. Luigi Ferrini’s new work is a game to try and try again with all kinds of company, as you discover the depth behind its simplicity. And if that were not enough, a promo card has also been created with an additional unique power: the agate scarab, an ancient stone with fascinating properties. Are you ready to discover them?

Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

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Volunteer Opportunities

One of the best ways to be engaged with the association and our industry is to volunteer for a committee or workgroup.

GAMA is currently looking for members to serve on the following committees: • • • • •

Academy, Origins Awards and Hall of Fame Review and Restructure Committee – Charged with exploring ways to increase the relevancy and representation of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design including the Origins Awards nominations, review and award ceremony and the Hall of Fame.

Advocacy Committee – Helps direct association government relations, advocacy and lobbying efforts to support the hobby games industry. Potential issues the committee is tasked with include tariffs, customs/exportation, product labeling laws, intellectual property rights, counterfeit product sales, etc.

Market Expansion Committee – Researches the most effective and efficient marketing and outreach methods to (A) promote the play of tabletop games and (B) increase the number of people who regularly play games.

Diversity Committee – Investigates how best to reach out to underrepresented communities within the game industry and to create pathways of success within the organization.

Education Advisory Committee – Work with GAMA staff to identify educational topics and opportunities to create a robust training program to assistretail stores, distributors, manufacturers and designers in effectively operating in the hobby games industry.

For more information on these committees or to volunteer, please email becky.mangan@gama.org

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AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

AROUND THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Eric Price Mejia Board Game Factory Director – Production/Manufacturers VICE-PRESIDENT Grace Collings Snowbright Studio Director – Creator TREASURER Nicole Brady SAHM Reviews Director – Media & Events

®

Q4 2023

A Publication by the Game Manufacturers Association

GAMA STAFF

John Stacy EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR john.stacy@gama.org

Chris Materni

Cree Luzskia

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

MEETING/EVENTS DIRECTOR

chris.materni@gama.org

cree.luzskia@gama.org

Gregoire Boisbelaud COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

greg.boisbelaud@gama.org

SECRETARY Monica Rasso Meeples at Sea Director – Media & Events

DIRECTORS

Rhonda Becker The Gamers Den Director – Retailer John Coviello Little Shop of Magic Director – Retail

Adam Ziegler

Cynthia Tuck

Bryan Borgman

Julie Yeager

TECHNOLOGY AND CREATIVE MANAGER

EVENTS COORDINATOR

MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR

EXHIBITOR MANAGER

adam.ziegler@gama.org

cynthia.tuck@gama.org

bryan.borgman@gama.org

Paul McGraw

Mike Boseak

Becky Mangan

EVENTS MANAGER

MARKETING/ COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

EDUCATION/ COMMITTEE COORDINATOR

julie.yeager@gama.org

Matt Fantastic Forever Stoked Creative Director – Creative Aldo Ghiozzi KublaCon Director – Wholesale Radek Gronus FABRYKA KART Director – Production/Manufacturer Beau Heath Arcane Tinman Director – Wholesale Jason Matthews Fort Circle Games Director – Publisher Will Niebling Emeritus Director Garima Sharma Skybound Entertainment Director – Publisher

paul.mcgraw@gama.org

mike.boseak@gama.org

becky.mangan@gama.org

THE GAME MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

258 East Campus View Blvd Columbus, OH 43235 Phone: 614-255-4500 • Fax: 614-255-4499 • www.gama.org • media@gama.org Around the Table © 2023 The Game Manufacturers Association

PUBLISHED BY

Fahy-Williams Publishing 171 Reed Street, Geneva, NY 14456 P 800-344-0559 • F 315-789-4263 To advertise, contact Amy Colburn at 315-789-6431 or email amy@fwpi.com.

Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

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a game for 2-4 players by Reiner Knizia

It is a beautiful morning… time to take to the heavens!

Your balloons will soon dapple the sky with radiant hues and you couldn‘t be prouder. But there are other balloons dotting the firmament—you‘re not the only one preparing to launch on what looks to be a perfect day to fly.

Designer: Reiner Knizia Illustration: Lukas Siegmon Release Date: January ‘24 Prod. Code: PNA59058E MSRP: $39.95

Attract the most attention by launching large fleets and securing popular launch sites–then everyone will know that the sky belongs to you and your dazzling collection of colorful hot air balloons!

Q4 2023 Features

Adverstories

22 GAMA EXPO

Tips and tricks to help retail stores sell games, written by the following companies

Just around the corner in Louisville, KY

rates. Click throughs. ROI. 62 Open Likes. Follows. Product views.

In a world filled with data, understanding which data is important, and when, is critical.

Marketing plans are no different.

Departments GAMA Board and Staff.......................................................................5 Letter from the Executive Director...............................................8 New Products.........................................28, 38, 39, 49, 74, 75, 85 GAMA News........................................................................................ 84 Index of Advertisers........................................................................ 88

9th Level Games....................................................................................24 Ares Games SRL.......................................................................................3 Arcane Tinmen.......................................................................................50 Battlefront / Gale Force 9.....................................................................80 Boogie Board eWriters.........................................................................60 Brotherwise Games, LLC......................................................................32 Cephalofair Games...............................................................................58 Czech Games Edition...........................................................................42 Fireside Games LLC...............................................................................16 Floodgate Games..................................................................................30 Flying Frog Productions.......................................................................44 Grand Gamers Guild.............................................................................14 Indie Game Studios..............................................................................40 Japanime Games..................................................................................26 KTBG/Burnt Island Games..................................................................12 Lightspeed Global Distribution..........................................................18 Magpie Games.......................................................................................48 Mana Project Studio.............................................................................52 Mighty Boards........................................................................................56 Mind’s Vision...........................................................................................82 Onyx Path Publishing...........................................................................20 Orange Nebula.......................................................................................10 Paizo Inc..................................................................................................36 Peachstate Hobby Distribution LLC....................................................66 Pegasus Spiele North America.............................................................9 R. Talsorian Games, Inc........................................................................76 Renegade Game Studios.....................................................................34 Steve Jackson Games..........................................................................89 The Army Painter...................................................................................54 The Crafty Gamer..................................................................................70 Upper Deck.............................................................................................90 Van Ryder Games LLC...........................................................................68 Vox Link Ltd............................................................................................78 Woodland Scenics................................................................................64 York-Jersey Underwriters....................................................................72 Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

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FROM THE executive director Dear friends,

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shipping and VAT, environmental impact of our industry, and membership specific networking events on Spatial Chat.

• Launched the third cohort of Horizon Fellows, our eight-month accelerator program for prospective and newly established game publishers and retail store owners to help address the needs of historically underrepresented communities in the tabletop industry.

• GAMA was invited to facilitate industry specific seminars and presentations at Gen Con for their livestreaming Gen Con TV program on topics such as diversity in gaming, environmental manufacturing best practices, and two sessions focused on publishers and retailer’s needs.

• Published the Winter Wishlist holiday buying guide for retailers promoting games and products from dozens of GAMA publisher members.

• Engaged with industry members at several distributor open houses and consumer conventions including Adepticon, MegaCon, Anime Central, Fan Expo Denver, Gen Con, Galaxy Con and Pax Unplugged.

elcome to the Q4 2023 issue of Around the Table. It is hard to believe 2023 is ending as it has been a busy year for GAMA. Here is just a sample of the highlights:

• 23% membership growth with nearly 1,400 members in 26 countries with growth in all six membership divisions. Our largest membership numbers in our 46-year history.

• We have been working to relaunch a healthcare option for GAMA members and collected demographic data that is currently being shared with national brokers to create a MEWA (multiple employer welfare arrangement) for shared savings. We will have more details on this initiative Q1 2024.

• Hosted a remarkably successful GAMA EXPO in April with a record attendance of over 2,000 people at our last trade show in Reno. We offered over 100 hours of peer-led seminars and networking events and a three-day exhibit hall with 192 exhibitors.

• As GAMA is rapidly growing internationally, we were at both the UK Games EXPO (June) and Spiel Essen (October), where we hosted our 5th ESSENtials Retailer Summit and a very well received evening reception with more than 240 industry attendees networking and enjoying each other’s company.

• GAMA hosted monthly seminars and workshops on ADA compliance, Shopify POS deep dive, understanding international

Membership renewal for 2024 has begun, and we thank you for your continued support of GAMA and our industry. Enjoy this issue of Around the Table and I hope to see you at GAMA EXPO in Louisville from March 3-7, 2024!

Be well and Happy Gaming!

John Stacy Executive Director, GAMA

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AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

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An Escape Room in an Instant –

Hidden Games: Crime Scene

by Anton Torres, Marketing Manager, Pegasus Spiele North America

G

ame nights are a wonderful way for friends and family to gather and share adventures, face great challenges, solve puzzles or compete for glory.

However, it requires preparation; like a great meal, it’s unrealistic to think that everyone can show up and instantly begin to eat. In the world of tabletop, this requires one person to open the game, punch the components, study the rules then be ready to teach the group before play.

Sometimes, we just want to sit down and begin to play – welcome to Hidden Games: Crime Scene.

Designed by Hidden Industries GmbH, an expert team of talented escape room and puzzle designers, Hidden Games: Crime Scene brings the immersive challenges of cooperative problem-solving into your home.

Simply tear open the envelope, dump the contents onto the table and the game is afoot! There are no rules or special terminology you need to learn. Use the evidence and solve the mystery.

Each crime scene case sets the stage and poses a few questions that the players must answer. For example, Crime Scene 1 – The New Haven Case asks the players to investigate and solve a mysterious death at a local country fair.

Four simple questions must be answered: How did Max Glover die? Who sent you the envelope? Who sent the torn letter?

Who committed the crime?

When players first tear open the envelope, they will find nothing more than a pile of documents within: a calendar, evidence board, torn-up letter, postcard, some photographs, a business card, newspaper, ultrasound image and a stack of evidence files including pegasusna.com

fingerprints, medical and phone records, personal correspondence and more.

Each player picks up items that seem interesting, then share key details with the group. They can compare handwriting samples, trace the movements of different characters on the night of the murder and piece together the background stories of each suspect and their relationship to the rest.

As gameplayers continue to pore through the evidence, meticulously taking notes on the included calendar and evidence board, the story springs to life. There is never a sense that they are playing a murder mystery game. Instead, it feels like they are the investigators responsible for

solving the case. What a fantastic experience!

Hidden Games: Crime Scene has been a great success on Amazon, and Pegasus Spiele is excited to land this product line in your friendly local game store. These products have been released around the world and have been crafted specifically for each region, with local phone numbers to call, internet social media accounts to check and websites to visit. It’s an engrossing cooperative experience that’s perfect for any group of one to six players who love mysteries, and takes approximately two to three hours to complete.

Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

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Wisdom Is Your Only Weapon

by Tom Mattson, President, Orange Nebula As you read this, Spirit Fire is igniting Kickstarter, kindling the audience’s appetite for a unique game carefully crafted to perform well in the retail space. Spirit Fire is a non-linear, open-world board game system in which you explore unique fantasy realms on an introspective journey of discovery, wonder and mystery. Your choices matter because you’re not following a story – you ARE the story.

T

his is a substantive, emotionallydriven experience with aspirations beyond the expected iterations on tactical combat and standard gameplay. To emphasize this vision, there is no combat in Spirit Fire. Instead, this experience finds conflict, pressure and suspense in the countless other challenges life asks us to overcome, including the tensions we face deep within ourselves. In the world of Spirit Fire, wisdom is your only weapon.

The game’s system has two principal pieces: the character box and realm boxes.

With the first, you create your character, with which you explore the open-world realm boxes. Across these realms, you tell your story in a campaign of your creation, exploring where you want, pursuing the quests and ideals of your choosing, in an experience some have compared to an MMORPG (like World of Warcraft), but that otherwise defies easy classification.

With drop-in/drop-out multiplayer (meaning seamless transitions between solo and cooperative play), multiple openworld realms coming at launch (with many more in development) and a plan for a continuous stream of quest packs that can be played in any realm, Spirit Fire is a deeply customizable, ongoing experience.

Spirit Fire is our second game to utilize this format, where players have a core box through which they explore subsequent small-box releases. The first, Unsettled, has raised more than $4.8 million in crowdfunding and continues gathering steam in retail. Each small-box release renews interest in the game and expands the audience, resulting in a franchise that is growing each year. Spirit Fire evolves this format further by enabling a continuous campaign and deeper emotional investment.

At Orange Nebula, we pour ourselves into each game, treating them as longterm franchises with continual support to encourage a vibrant community and consistent demand. Vindication came out in 2017 and sales increase every year.

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Unsettled released in 2021 and is growing even faster. Our metrics suggest Spirit Fire is going to blow them both away.

We respect you immensely. Every day your store’s doors open is a testament to herculean effort. We aim to honor that effort by never releasing anything that will find itself in your markdown bin.

We believe Spirit Fire is a special game, the type of game your store deserves. We hope it serves you well. orangenebula.com

Designing for – and with –

by Sean Jacquemain, Communications Director, KTBG

T

here’s a lot to think about when you set out to design a new game. It’s a good rule of thumb to consider your target audience. Who is this for? What kind of experience do I want players to have? If you’re working with other designers, you want to be aware of the strengths they bring to the project and how you can best work together.

These are questions that long-time game designer and KTBG Creative Director Josh Cappel is used to asking. He has a number of hit games to his credit, including Foodfighters, Haunt the House and the upcoming Wasabi: A Game of Raw Skill. He’s been no stranger to collaboration on games, having teamed up with a number of other talented designers over the years.

“I always enjoy working with other people on games,” said Cappel. “We all bring unique perspectives to the table and we can see things from different perspectives. The finished product is usually a much richer result.”

Recently, Cappel’s design process was a little bit different.

For his latest release, Diced Veggies, he had two new design partners: his son, Jory and niece, Rowan. It was the first design project for both of the 11-year-olds. Under Cappel’s leadership, they picked up the work fast.

“I was impressed with how quickly they took to the design process,” said Cappel.

The first spark of an idea for Diced Veggies came at a family gathering in summer 2022. The trio worked diligently on the game for the next several months. By the fall, the game was

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s d i K completed, a publishing deal was in place and production was underway.

Aside from their natural ability to design and develop games, Cappel also noticed something else about Jory and Rowan’s approach.

“They both really thought outside of the box when we would run into a development or balancing problem,” he said. “Because they’re new to design, they’re not weighed down by past projects.

They were able to look at the game with fresh eyes.”

He added, “Their approach actually helped me look at the game in new ways and ultimately made a huge difference in the final product.”

Diced Veggies made its debut at Gen Con 2023 and it was a huge hit, selling out every day of the show. The game has been nominated for two TAGIE Awards for best art and design and for young innovators and has already won a Golden Thumb.

The young pair are concentrating on school and other interests like acting and baseball, but it might not be the last time they dip their toes into the world of tabletop gaming.

“I would definitely design with Jory and Rowan again,” said Cappel. In fact, he’s already working on the next game with Jory.

“It’s called Campfire Cookout, and we’re actually really excited about how it’s coming along.”

You can look for Diced Veggies in stores soon. Keep an eye out for future designs from this family team.

kidstablebg.com

NOW AVAILABLE FOR RETAIL WWW.KIDSTABLEBG.COM

Bring It to Me! How to Get Customers to Spend Their Gift Cards in Your Store

by Marc Specter, CEO, Grand Gamers Guild

Y

ou probably know why selling gift cards is so popular. Reason 1: It’s locked in money. 2: It’s often forgotten.

But for those who do use it, it’s an opportunity to splurge – an opportunity where the customer will make sure to spend every dime on the gift card and usually more! The challenge is how to get those gift cards spent in your store.

Handling this opportunity correctly is a win for you, the customers and publishers alike. So, let’s talk about ideas!

Run a post-holiday sale Gift card splurges and post-holiday sales go together like chocolate and peanut butter! Rarely have two things paired so well. It doesn’t have to break the bank either. Think 10 percent. Make sure to get the word out early. For some people, that might even be a month ahead of time! That might sound counterintuitive with the holiday season just a few days before, but priming the mind will pay dividends.

Put your highprofit items front and center Customer habits show that

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featured items get the most eyeballs and are more likely to become impulse purchases, especially when gift cards are involved. What are your high-profit items? It depends on your supplier.

At Grand Gamers Guild, we give discounts on our biggest games. For example, with Ahau, our game set in the Mayan era, buy six and get a seventh free demo copy. With Patriot, our new dramatic social deduction game with a campaign mode, buy three and receive a fourth free demo copy.

These games give you a great profit margin, are highly regarded, and are sure to lead to the next idea which is …

Attract brand evangelists Many games have evangelists, as do publishers … and so can stores!

How do you create an evangelist? Have great customer service, a welcoming atmosphere and carry the games that people want. Using GGG as an example, our Artemis, Endangered and Holiday Hijinks lines have a fan base that buys every iteration. If you can become a reliable place that carries these kinds of brands, you will become a third location.

When you do this consistently, you will gain the reputation as the place to go, evangelists will be created and they will begin to spread the word for you and help support your efforts!

Be in constant contact Don’t be forgotten! There are a lot of signals out there in the world and you don’t want to fall into the background.

Utilize social media and, yes, even SMS texting. Customers who opt in for SMS are among the most likely to click your links – oftentimes double the rate of emails.

There you have it, folks.

Give that a try. Remember too that if you’d like to take advantage of our discount offers, contact Marc directly at marc@ grandgamersguild.com or 616916-1179.

grandgamersguild.com

TWO EXCITING NEW TITLES

14+

1-6 30-180’

Patriot is a semi-cooperative board game of social deduction, betrayal, strategy and teamwork. Each player is dealt a secret card outlining their allegiance to The President – save, or assassinate.

14+

1-5 90-120’

Ahau: Rulers of Yucatán is a Euro-style board game, combining elements of worker placement and resource management with innovative dual-engine building - all set in the Classical Period of the Maya.

Order from your local distrubutor or contact us directly: GrandGamersGuild@gmail.com

Marketing Kits for the Win(ter)

by Justin De Witt, CCO, Fireside Games

G

etting ready for the fourth quarter is about more than just making sure you have enough inventory. It’s about having the right tools to promote games and bring customers into your store. At Fireside Games, we’re passionate about bringing new gamers into the hobby, and we have a wide variety of resources to help you do that.

You may have heard that Fireside Games offers great marketing kits for all our games, which you can download at firesidegames.com/retailers. Here’s a closer look at what’s inside them and how to use the kits to boost sales.

Images You’ll find all the basics, such as a sell sheet for the game, images of the front and back of the box plus all the components.

You’ll also get photos of the box facing left or right in low res for the web and high res for print so you can make your own ads.

TV slides Want to run a static slide on your in-store TV? No problem.

Each kit comes with two slides. The first is ready to go with game-related text. The second slide has the images with blank space for you to add your own content like demo times, staff favorite notices, a store logo, etc.

Facebook ads Need to make a quick Facebook post? The kit comes with two images pre-sized for Facebook. Again, one slide features stock text, and the other is blank, ready for you to customize.

Web banners Maybe you just want to run a web banner on your store page? Fireside has you covered. The kits include pre-built banners in Leaderboard, Skyscraper and Rectangle sizes.

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Shelf-talker Need something physical in the store? Print out the included shelf-talker and place it under the game to have a “silent salesman” that can draw attention and help customers learn more about the game.

Sizzle reel We also have sizzle reels for Castle Panic, My First Castle Panic, and Here, Kitty, Kitty!, which can be played on any TV or video device in your store. They are 60-second eye-catching animated trailers that give a quick look at the game pieces and an overview of how to play and win the game. The trailers have a musical track but no narration to distract customers. They also feature on-screen text, so they provide value even when muted.

Inventory status On our Retailer page, we display our current inventory status. This is the inventory in our warehouse, so check here if you’re ever having trouble finding a game or have been told something is out of stock. You can also sign up for a wholesale account right on our site and place orders anytime you need to.

It’s a great time to stock up on our hot games, such as Castle Panic; My First Castle Panic; Here, Kitty, Kitty!; Crowns and Quests (the latest expansion to Castle Panic) and the Castle Panic Big Box. Visit our retailer page at firesidegames.com/ retailers and get everything you need to make this a great holiday season. firesidegames.com

Your Partner in Hobby Retail Success A Glimpse into LSG Hobby’s Commitment

by Kyle Lacroix, Account Manager, LSG Hobby

D

o your tabletop gamers demand quality paints and tools?

Are your scale modelists asking you for niche products that you have trouble finding? Is your customer base asking for anime collectibles and Gundam kits? LSG Hobby has you covered! We take pride in offering an unparalleled array of products, tailored to satisfy the most esoteric tastes of hobby enthusiasts. No matter what you might be after in the hobby industry, we can help you and your business and keep your customers coming back for more.

With a team possessing many years of front-line retail experience, we understand what is important to store owners.

Providing valuable insights and guidance in product placement and presentation is our guarantee. We distinguish ourselves from our competitors with our commitment to help retailers merchandise products they purchase from us. As an example, take the Nanoblock brand; we provide display cases and samples free of charge on initial orders to help gain awareness. These display cases are designed to help your store neatly merchandise Nanoblocks products and maximize sales within a small footprint. We’ll provide you with anything we can to help build your customer base.

With a large range of brands in our catalog, we will assist you in stocking your store full of diverse inventory, from popular high-volume sellers to unique products that make you stand out. We know the world of hobby enthusiasts, gamers and collectors, and we understand how to leverage this to help you create a memorable experience for anyone who walks into your store. Of course, this means keeping up with the times as much as it means keeping product on your shelves; we continually invest into our technology to help meet the needs of our clients.

It is our goal to make the ordering experience as smooth as a fresh coat of paint!

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True partnerships are built upon trust and reliability. That is why we at LSG Hobby provide unwavering customer service both before and after your purchases. By establishing lasting relationships that provide inestimable value, we can assure comfort and ease to make your purchasing simple, allowing you to focus on what is most important: your business. By keeping our finger on the pulse and our ears open, we take in frequent feedback and use this to adapt ourselves to better suit your needs. We see ourselves as more than a distributor; we’re your partner in bringing the wonders of the hobby world to enthusiasts far and wide.

So, the next time you think about placing an order for your store or bringing on a new brand, we want you to think of LSG Hobby as your next move. With our unparalleled range, dedication to helping retailers succeed, and commitment to the highest standards of customer service, we’re your trusted companion on your journey to hobby business success.

Welcome to LSG Hobby, where your success is more than just our business, but our commitment to you.

lsghobby.com

Where Did They Come From?

by Matthew Dawkins, Creative Strategist, Onyx Path Publishing

T

hey Came from Beneath the Sea! and They Came from Beyond the Grave! are just two of our They Came From cinematic roleplaying games, in which players take on the roles of characters in b-movie sci-fi features or Hammer Horror-esque gothic horror movies. These games each come with five playable Archetypes, a ridiculous number of Tropes (actor powers), Cinematics (director powers), and Quips (one-liners that make your character just naturally better at something) plus a stunning array of monsters, evildoers and bizarre movie monstrosities. The They Came From games use the Storypath System present in the Scion and Trinity Continuum RPGs, utilizing D10 dice pool mechanics to determine success or failure in an easy, free-flowing way.

They Came From is the brainchild of Matthew Dawkins (Vampire: The Masquerade, Mummy: The Curse, Call of Cthulhu, and more) of Onyx Path Publishing, a lover of both high quality and questionable cinema and seasoned RPG writer and developer. The central premise behind the They Came From games is to play through plots inspired by the movies that made us laugh and scream – sometimes for the wrong reasons – and bring entertainment to the gaming table. The 20

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primary objective is fun, with the games being praised for the ease by which any group can learn them, run them and have a good time playing them. Inspired in no small part by MST3K’s affectionate riffing on science fiction and horror flicks and TV shows like Garth Marenghi’s “Darkplace,” They Came From games approach their source material with an air of parody and good humor.

They Came from Beneath the Sea! has been advertised on MST3K while both Beneath the Sea! and Beyond the Grave! have appeared in multiple streamed and produced actual plays for audiences to enjoy vicariously. Routinely played at conventions and very well-suited to oneshot, episodic or movie plot style games (it’s very much a part of the game’s setup to be so), each They Came From contains all the tools you need to get them running with a minimum of effort. All you need is to enjoy the genres each game covers.

If you struggle for ideas, you can always run one

of the adventures in either book; each contains two full scenarios within their pages.

They Came From games are excellent for demo purposes due to the vivid art, colorful characters and frequent laughs and smiles around the table during play. Cards to enable the quick play of Quips and Cinematics can be purchased separately, or the selections within each book can be assigned to players, adding a tangible quality to the games as players slam down cards and utter a Quip, or carefully select the correct Cinematic power to use to turn a story on its head.

They Came from [CLASSIFIED]! and They Came from the Cyclops’s Cave! are coming soon, covering movies and TV shows from the espionage and fantasy genres. Until then, please enjoy the watery menace of They Came from Beneath the Sea! and the blood-drenched tension of They Came from Beyond the Grave!

theonyxpath.com

d n u o r A Just

! r e n r o the C

Louisville, KY W

hile the end of the year is still a few weeks away, preparations are already well underway for GAMA Expo’s transition to Louisville, KY, held for the first time at the Galt House and Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), on March 3-7.

If you’re unfamiliar, GAMA Expo is our professional trade show, delivering a week’s worth of seminars and panel discussions, as well as product reviews and demos. It’s a great opportunity to network and build your business within a multitude of areas within our industry.

GAMA members receive a pair of complimentary badges as part of their member benefits package, and there’s no better place to gain exposure for your company directly to the heart of the industry.

The seminars are an invaluable benefit of attending GAMA Expo, as you learn from others in the industry about how they’ve solved many of the same problems you’re facing. Four days of programing means there will never be a better place to consume industry-wide knowledge than GAMA Expo. Whether it’s your 22

AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

first year in the chair, or you’re a grizzled veteran, there’s plenty of opportunities to learn.

The new location should result in a reduction in travel costs for many of our members, and we hope it will bring greater access to the show and its benefits. The city of Louisville is a diverse and welcoming community, earning a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index every year since 2015. In addition, it offers plenty of restaurants and attractions to fill your free time with fun.

Hotel and badge information, as well as a show schedule, exhibit hall information and more, can all be found at GAMA.org.

With an eye on Expo in 2024, it’s also a great time to start thinking about renewing your membership for 2024. Expo is a tremendously valuable piece of our annual membership, so ensuring you’re renewed for next year will ensure you’re able to take part in all the exciting benefits of the show.

Above: Galt House; Left: Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC)

Q3 2023 • AROUND THE table

23

Roleplaying in the World of

by Chris O’Neill, Lead Creative and Founder, 9th Level Games

“M

y love for games came from playing RPGs as a kid,” said Rob Daviau, game designer. “It’s wonderful to see a game and world that I helped create come to life through a roleplaying game.”

When I heard that the Return to Dark Tower board game was coming from Restoration Games, I was all in. I wasn’t even 10 years old when the original board game came out – and the Dark Tower has loomed loftily in my mind ever since the first time I saw that magnificent giant black box.

Imagine my surprise when I got a chance to play the prototype (deep in the days of lockdown) and all I could think about was how close it resembled the core ideas of our new game Mazes Fantasy Roleplaying. The connection was so strong that I was able to have a working image of the kind of games you could have roleplaying in the world of Dark Tower. And, when we pitched the idea to Restoration, they understood.

“We’re thrilled that folks can delve deeper into the world of Return to Dark Tower with the new RPG from 9th Level Games. Can’t wait to grab my longsword and charge into the fray!” said Justin D. Jacobson, owner Restoration Games.

Mazes (available now) was designed to be a modern dungeon crawler.

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It’s a thoroughly new take on the classic sword and sorcery tale. Scoundrels and ne’er-do-wells go down into a pit to fight monsters. It’s Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, it’s Conan. But Return to Dark Tower is an epic. It’s heroes raising armies against the great evil of our time. It’s Frodo and the Fellowship.

Almost everyone (us included) assumed that we were going to start to really build out the world of the Four Kingdoms, including lore and backstory. It was going to be Mazes in a fully fleshed out world, but as we began to develop the game it grew, it became something more than just a “grand” version of Mazes. It became a system for telling a specific kind of story – the grand tale of saving the world from a foe more powerful than you can imagine.

In Return to Dark Tower Fantasy Roleplaying game, each player not only creates a Hero character, but also makes a Companion character (your Sam to their Frodo, their Sir Kay to your King Arthur). There are character classes for all the characters in the board game – or use your favorite Mazes characters. The group creates an Adversary to fight over a series of game sessions (or you could always choose any of the evils from the board game, from the Ashstrider to the Gaze Eternal).

Are you ready to take on the Dark Tower?

9thlevel.com

A great evil has returned and claimed the DArk Tower.

Become a HERO. Raise an ARMY. Seige the DARK TOWER. Ride into LEGEND.

A complete RPG and campaign system compatible with MAZES Fantasy Roleplaying.

Hardcover Rulebook, Adversary Screen, and Player Tower shown.

Compatible with

Welcome to the World of

! z r e e Qu

The super sentai roleplaying game where you fight darkness and intolerance by light and empathy!

by Mikael Yang, Editorial Manager, Japanime Games

I

n a world where heroes come in all forms, QUEERZ! emerges as a vibrant, LGBTQ-themed tabletop RPG. It is inspired by the manga by ISA, based on City of Mist RPG and created

by Amit Moshe and Son of Oak Game Studio. This game celebrates the power of inclusion and the idea that anyone can be a hero as long as they stand up for what’s right. QUEERZ! weaves a captivating narrative that combines superhero action with the rainbow pride of the LGBTQ community, all while delivering a powerful message of radical acceptance.

At the core of QUEERZ! lies the concept of Rainbow Empathy, a magical force that champions humanity, compassion, joy and wisdom.

Those who wield it are known as “Queerz.” These heroes are bound to the Rainbow Empathy through their personal pursuits, known as their “Runway.” Each character is passionately dedicated to their Runway, using it to inspire others and stand as a beacon of hope.

The antagonists in QUEERZ! are the Justice Knights, individuals empowered only by Ignorance (a rigid, glasslike substance rooted in negative feelings and constricted worldviews born from deep pain). What makes QUEERZ! so unique is that these villains often include people close to the Queerz themselves, emphasizing the idea that no one is immune to Ignorance. The Queerz embark on a mission to expose the villains to the beauty and diversity of life, breaking through the Ignorance and transforming these foes into allies.

“QUEERZ!” boasts a tag-based gameplay system, allowing players to customize their characters with a wide 26

AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

range of abilities, characteristics, allies and moves. Whether it’s a “drag queen’s wig,” “rainbow blast,” “bear hug” or “throwing shade,” every tag is a source of empowerment. What’s remarkable is that mundane qualities such as “good listener,” “fashionista” or “snoopy” hold just as much influence in the game as superpowers.

This equality of tags showcases the game’s commitment to embracing diversity and the multifaceted nature of its characters.

The game introduces themes or power sets that represent each character’s motivations – sometimes conflicting – and the struggle between saving the world and focusing on personal lives. QUEERZ! encourages players to make meaningful choices about which themes to evolve and which to neglect. Power sets that evolve become stronger, while those that are neglected undergo dramatic changes, mirroring the ebb and flow of real life.

QUEERZ! transcends typical tabletop RPGs by not only delivering exhilarating superhero action and campy fun but by championing the cause of inclusion and diversity. It sends a resounding message: anyone can be a hero when they fight for what’s right, regardless of their background or personal struggles. In a world filled with ignorance and rigid worldviews, QUEERZ! stands as a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and embracing one’s own queerness, whatever form it may take.

While QUEERZ! Draws heavily on LGBTQ+ culture – one of the most colorful expressions of humanity without a doubt! – anyone can play because it’s not a game about being LGBTQ+. QUEERZ! Is about people learning to accept themselves and each other, while fighting that which separates us. If you love super sentai action and also appreciate the incredible diversity of lifestyles and individuals our world has to offer, the QUEERZ! is for you! japanimegames.com

THE ANIME TABLETOP RPG WHERE YOU FIGHT DARKNESS AND INTOLERANCE WITH LIGHT AND EMPATHY! BASED ON THE “QUEERZ!” MANGA AND CITY OF MIST RPG.

www.JapanimeGames.com sales@japanimegames.com

Seven Sinners from Mana Project Studio is a collection of cultists, demons and relics compatible with the 5th Edition and with the 1st Edition (OSRIC) of the world’s most popular roleplaying game. na-store.manaprojectstudio. com/products/seven-sinnersenglish-edition

Frosthaven from Cephalofair Games is a standalone adventure from the designer and publisher of Gloomhaven. It features 17 characters, three ancestries, more than 20 enemies, more than 100 items and a 138-scenario campaign, all new.

In Djinn from Pegasus Spiele NA, apprentices of the Academy of Magical Arts must protect a vital resource by capturing the djinn who threaten it. Each game is a new puzzle to decipher.

Email sales representative Chris Kessler retailers@cephalofair.com

Aoshima Initial D Snap Kits from Lightspeed Global Distribution feature the iconic vehicles of Takumi Fujiwara’s AE86 and Keisuke Takahashi’s FD. Experience a hassle-free assembly.

pegasusna.com

Non-Glare Matte Clear and Black Dragon Shields from Peachstate Hobby Distribution are once again being cast over the fires of the lair!

Endow your game with anti-reflective sleeves that are either fully transparent or completely opaque. portal.phdgames.com/ products/ATMDSH11822

lsghobby.com/account/register

More New Products on pages 38, 39, 49, 74, 75, 85 28

AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

Best Sellers for Gift Buyers

by Ian Birdsall, Marketing Manager, Floodgate Games

I

f you’ve been around the board game hobby for the better part of the past decade, you’ve probably (hopefully) heard of Sagrada - A Game of Dice Drafting and Window Crafting. This ambitious spatial puzzle board game includes double-layered player boards and 90 colorful, translucent dice to simulate the crafting of stained-glass windows for the Sagrada Familia cathedral.

Sagrada continues to be a perennial bestseller years after its initial release. It has been translated and printed in dozens of languages and has seen four expansions that add more players, dice, challenges and ways to enjoy the dice drafting and placement that Sagrada excels at.

Sagrada’s gameplay is full of tense decision-making each turn until your final die is placed. If you’ve played, you know

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the satisfying feeling of planning out your dice placement to achieve an objective or the thrill of realizing how to best use the tools at your disposal to fit a drafted die into just the right spot! The fulfilling gameplay of watching your stained-glass window come together hits just the right space to be enjoyable for gamers of all types and ages. Sagrada combines elements of visual beauty, accessibility, strategic gameplay, replayability and creativity, making it an excellent choice as a holiday gift for your retail customers this year.

The Sagrada base game sells tens of thousands of copies a year. If you have Sagrada on your shelves, you’re already aware that it’s an evergreen title to keep in stock, especially for the holiday shopping season. We often hear from our

community that Sagrada is the game they use to introduce new people to the hobby.

To many, Sagrada is their favorite board game – a game that they enthusiastically share with others. It’s a game that is approachable to new players and still maintains a satisfying level of complexity and challenge to keep the most hardcore gamer engaged. Add to this the variability of content included in the expansions and you’ve got a series of highly giftable items for both new Sagrada players and longtime fans.

The most popular of the four expansions to Sagrada continues to be the 5 & 6 Player Expansion. While this expansion adds components for more players to join the fun of game night, we’ve found that this isn’t the main reason people acquire this expansion. Included in the 5 & 6 Player Expansion are new Private and Public Objectives, new Window Patterns, and of course the very popular Private Drafting Pool module; these can be enjoyed at all player counts!

The Great Facades series of expansions includes three titles, each with their own sets of modular expansions. Passion, the first in the series, expands players’ options with the Rare Glass modules and the highly acclaimed Inspiration cards. Life introduces new scoring opportunities with the Masterwork Dice for players to challenge themselves and be rewarded for succeeding. The final of this set is also the most popular and highest-rated of the three. Glory leans into the competitive aspects of Sagrada with new objectives that reward the player that achieved them first, or fulfilled their requirements best with more points than the other players!

Sagrada and its many expansions will continue to be titles that gift-buying gamers will be looking for. Order your restock of these titles today from your distributor. To learn more about us, visit floodgate.games. floodgategames.com

Holiday Restock!

Make sure you’re stocked up on Sagrada for the holidays!

SAGRADA: PASSION

SAGRADA: LIFE

SAGRADA: GLORY

MSRP $19.95 USD SKU: FGG-SA03

MSRP $19.95 USD SKU: FGG-SA04

MSRP $19.95 USD SKU: FGG-SA05

SAGRADA MSRP $44.95 USD SKU: FGG-SA01

SAGRADA: 5-6 PLAYER EXPANSION MSRP $24.95 USD SKU: FGG-SA02

A New Kind of Empire Builder from Brotherwise Games

by Jillian Ross, Marketing Designer, Brotherwise Games

Y

ou’ve built empires at the table, but can you save one from collapse?

Empire’s End from John D. Clair is a two-to-four player game where players compete to keep calamity at bay.

About the designer John D. Clair is a board game designer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He is known for games such as Space Base, Cubitos and Ready Set Bet. Empire’s End is Clair’s first partnership with Brotherwise Games.

About Empire’s End Empire’s End marries the intuitive and elegant mechanism of reversebidding with engine-building, longterm planning and strategic depth. The result is a game with a quick tempo, abundant tension and multiple paths to victory.

Play proceeds through a series of phases, varying as you progress through the game. During the Disaster phase, players face a common threat such as famine, a flood or barbarians. Players bid resources to deflect the disaster from their civilization, and the player who ends the bidding must take the disaster, devastating one of their territories.

With each disaster that befalls an empire, however, its people

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grow in wisdom and resilience. In the style of the modern classic game No Thanks, resources bid by all players will end up in the hands of the player who ultimately takes the disaster card.

Additionally, that player gains a new ability, an innovation that reflects their empire’s ability to adapt in the face of challenging times. Innovations provide new resources, new ways to manage resources or other varied powers.

During each turn, all players move along a progress track that dictates whether they will face a disaster or a different phase. Players can gain new resources during Production phases, rebuild lost territories during Industry phases and challenge one another during Military phases. At the end of the progress track, the game is concluded and the winner is the civilization with the greatest number of victory points. Intact territories contribute points, but innovations and military successes can provide alternative ways to win.

Accompanied by beautiful artwork from Kwanchai Moriya, this game is going to be a hit at any table! Order now on the Brotherwise Games website at brotherwisegames.com or support your friendly local game store during the retail release! Coming to retail on November 15.

brotherwisegames.com

Did Someone Say

by Sophia Gambill, Sales Assistant, Renegade Game Studios

Y

ou asked for it. We are here to deliver!

Our new Spotlight Demo Program focuses on getting demo games in your hands! Each month since September 2023, we have been offering free demo copies of our newest games! We are giving away one free demo copy per store of the featured game with purchase of three games at normal price from our webstore.

The past two months featured Robo Rally and Vampire: The Masquerade Rivals Expandable Card Game: The Hunters & The Hunted as our Spotlight Game. If you missed out so far, no worries, we have another game to give away this November! Our Spotlight Game for November is Scholars of the South Tigris!

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AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

Demos?

Scholars of the South Tigris, releasing in November, is a new standalone game in the South Tigris trilogy set during the height of the Abbasid Caliphate, circa 830 AD. This game has a combination of bag building, dice placement, color mixing and “workers for mitigation” that creates an extremely unique experience at the table. Also included is an intuitive and easy to use solo mode with four levels of difficulty to compete against. Get this game to the table and onto your shelves by purchasing copies today!

Getting demo games is easy and comes with the opportunity to win even more free games! When you order three units of the current Spotlight Game, you get a coupon code which is good for one free copy of that game.

For the chance to win more free games, take pictures of the demo area and players engaging in demos. We love nothing more than seeing our games on tables and people having fun playing them! Share those pictures on our Renegade Games Retailer Facebook group page and include the hashtag: #RenegadeSpotlight. Each store that does so will be entered to win $100 of free product from the Renegade Games Webstore! Drawing to be held on the last day of that games Spotlight promotion.

Not a member of our Retailer Facebook group? Join us at facebook. com/groups/RGSRetailers. Here you can post your demo pictures, get updates on future Spotlight Demo Games, and keep up to date on all things Renegade!

Our goal is to help you reach your customers with new and exciting games.

Get gamers to the tables of your store and boost sales by showing off the newest games Renegade has to offer! Stay tuned into our Retailer Facebook Group and our Retailer Newsletters (sign up at retailers.renegadegamestudios.com) to find out about Spotlight Demo Games to come. We can’t wait for you to bring these games to your customers!

As always, we thank retailers like you for your continued support in bringing our games to people in your community. renegadegames.com

© 2023 Renegade Game Studios.

www.renegadegames.com • New stand-alone game in the South Tigris trilogy!

• Intuitive and easy to use solo mode with 4 levels of difficulty!

• Build your engine and forge your strategic path!

Join the Translation Movement

AVAILABLE NOW!

1-4 Players

Ages 14+

RGS02616

MSRP $65

Return to Where Pathfinder Began in Pathfinder Adventure Path

Seven Dooms for Sandpoint

by Aaron Shanks, Director of Marketing, Paizo

N

estled amid the rugged cliffs and rolling waves of the Lost Coast, the picturesque, sleepy coastal town of Sandpoint has seen more than its fair share of danger and trouble over the years. In 2007 the Pathfinder Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path began there with volume 1, Burnt Offerings. In Burnt Offerings, an attack by crazed goblins during the annual Swallowtail Festival quickly turned into something more ominous as the shadows of a dark past come back to haunt the town—and perhaps all of Varisia. In the end, heroes (maybe you?) stopped the awakening of a legendary runelord (an allpowerful wizard-king) and kept him from reclaiming his lost kingdom of greed!

After harrowing fires, prolific serial killers, goblin raids and attacks by giants and dragons, what faces the so-called Light of the Lost Coast now is its greatest threat yet. Something sinister has been manipulating events all along, and now a new band of heroes must step in to save this legendary small town from seven deadly dooms!

This March, Paizo is proud to present Seven Dooms for Sandpoint, a special, doublesized volume and full Adventure Path in a single massive 200page book to celebrate the 200th volume of the Pathfinder Adventure Path!

Return to the town where it all began with a full campaign for 4th- to 11th-level characters that is presented in its entirety in this supersized volume. Seven Dooms for Sandpoint contains months of exciting Pathfinder play set in one of the most famous and beloved locations in

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the Pathfinder world.

Seven Dooms for Sandpoint is written by Pathfinder Narrative Creative Director James Jacobs, who penned that very first Adventure Path volume back in 2007. Players will find this newest volume available in softcover with an updated snapshot of Sandpoint as it stands today, complete with ways to interact with and influence the townsfolk. More Thassilonian secrets, exciting new treasures and a bestiary of dangerous new monsters round out this milestone Adventure Path volume.

Seven Dooms for Sandpoint will also be available in an unforgettable hardcover edition, which comes complete with an exclusive double-sided poster map of the town of Sandpoint and its surroundings to set the scene for high adventure!

As with all Pathfinder Adventure Path volumes, Seven Dooms for Sandpoint boasts a vibrant palette of full-color illustrations, which breathe life into the fantastical world and characters. Every page is imbued with the passion and creativity of the Pathfinder team, ensuring an immersive experience for players and Game Masters alike.

Seven Dooms for Sandpoint is not just an adventure – it’s a celebration of 200 volumes of storytelling, a tribute to the enduring spirit of Sandpoint and an invitation for players to embark on an unforgettable journey.

So, gather your party, ready your weapons and step into a world where heroes are forged and legends are born. The fate of Sandpoint hangs in the balance and only the boldest among you can rewrite its destiny!

paizo.com

ORDER THESE UPCOMING RELEASES FOR Q1 2024 TODAY!

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Ahau: Rulers of Yucatán from Grand Gamers Guild combines elements of worker placement and resource management with innovative dual-engine building – all set in the Classical Period of the Maya. grandgamersguild.com/ collections/ahau

Kings of Middle-Earth from Ares Games, an expansion for War of the Ring board game, focuses on the powers and weaknesses of the rulers of the Free Peoples. It adds Sovereigns and Dark Chieftains. aresgames.eu/games/war-of-the-ring-line Airbattle RAG #6 from Ad Astra Games brings nearly a dozen tournament-tested scenarios to the ultimate game of air combat maneuver, Birds of Prey. There are thrills and dogfighting action for every air combat enthusiast!

They Came from Beneath the Sea! from Onyx Path Publishing is a game encompassing horror, thrills and humor of 1950s and 1960s sci-fi B-movies. A fun time for all involved! indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/ They-Came-from-Beneath-the-Sea.html

adastragames.com

studio2publishing.com/products/ they-came-from-beneath-the-sea

Vox Link is a tabletop gaming community building app designed by gamers, for gamers.

Publish and run events, streamline growth, and build your community all in one place. business.voxlink.app

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Return to Dark Tower Fantasy Roleplaying from 9th Level Games is the officially licensed RPG for Restoration Games’ Return to Dark Tower board game.

Take on perilous quests, raise an army and defend your kingdom.

Tabloids from Steve Jackson Games is a hilarious new headlinebuilding game. Now you and your friends can make the news as wild, weird or wonderful as you like. Stop the presses!

9thlevel.com/returnto-dark-tower-rpg

warehouse23.com

Maple Valley from KTBG is the standalone sequel to Creature Comforts. As the youngest and quickest critter in your family, it’s up to you to race to collect and craft goods for the Spring Festival.

World of Tanks: Miniatures Game from Battlefront/GF9 is an easy to learn, quick play game. Take command of a unit of tanks, destroy your opponent and secure victory!

Contains dice, cards, terrain and four tanks.

Stringamajig from Fireside Games mixes the creativity of a drawing game with the hilarity of charades. Pick your word, then draw and animate the string to get the other players to make guesses. firesidegames.com/product/stringamajig

More New Products on pages 28, 49, 74, 75, 85 Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

39

Freehand:

Inkless Drawing

by JP Decosse, Editorial Manager, OffDutyNinja

T

he genre of drawing games is as old as time, or at least as old as Angela Lansbury’s classic Murder, She Wrote television series. What 1980s family didn’t gather around the table on Sunday nights to play Pictionary or Quick Picks with Ben Wicks?

Since those days of scribbly gaming goodness, the market has seen a steady flow of drawing games pouring onto store shelves. However, the persistent issue of the genre has always remained the same: the most talented and efficient artists oftentimes have a distinct advantage.

Prepare to toss that advantage right out the window with Freehand, a new party game from Indie Boards & Cards for three to six players that requires less skill of the quill in favor of a more calculated strategy!

Designed by Julio E. Nazario (responsible for classics such as Dulce, Ctrl and Holi), and card and graphic design by Justine Nortje and Bill Bricker, this creative team has crafted a delightfully challenging experience, filled with 100 stunning and evocative pieces of card art.

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However, the star of the show in Freehand is actually the assortment of colorful cubes and wooden artist pens, which drive the fun of the game.

To start, each player receives the pen and cubes of their chosen color, with a number of cards being revealed each round equal to the number of players, plus one. Without identifying their choice, each player secretly chooses one card to illustrate. Once all players have made their selection, the competition begins!

Once the competition starts, all players will begin using their pen (and only their pen) to manipulate their cubes to create an image. With only 30 cubes and just one color at players’ disposals, replicating their piece of art may be impossible. Instead, players will aim to create a simple shape that draws attention to one particular card – a clock on the wall, the shape of a hand or even something representative that isn’t on the card at all.

If that restriction wasn’t enough, players are also in a race against time!

The first player to complete their

“painting” puts their pen down and flips over the included sand timer. Once that flip happens, all other players have just seconds remaining to complete their painting. And once the last grain of sand drops through the timer, all pens go down

and the painting phase is complete.

Now all players have the opportunity to make a guess (starting with the timerflipper), choosing one cube painting and one card they believe might be connected.

If they guess correctly, both artist and the guesser remove one cube from their painting to claim as a point. Any cubes claimed as points are no longer part of their pool of cube paint; as the game progresses, this resource reduction may result in some challenging moments for their future drawings!

If any player has collected 10 scoring cubes after a guessing phase ends, they win the game!

Freehand manages to turn the genre of drawing games on its head, leveling the playing field in a way that hasn’t been seen in years. It’s a game that can be explained in seconds, and typically plays in less than 30 minutes, making it as engaging and enjoyable as an episode of Murder, She Wrote, and requiring only a fraction of Jessica Fletcher’s detective skills!

indieboardsandcards.com

SKU IBCDDSH1 MSRP $24.99

Master the Dynamic Supply and Demand Economy of

by Nathan Meunier, North American Marketing

M

edieval silver production proves a fascinating historical hook for driving the unique dynamic economy and asymmetrical strategy at the core of Kutná Hora: The City of Silver. CGE’s next thematic heavyweight euro game explores the history of a famous city and gothic cathedral located in the Czech Republic, not far from our Prague office.

In Kutná Hora, players recreate the construction and economic rise of the historic Czech city, developing a thriving silver mining industry and booming economy across the 14th century. As reputable families with ties to the city’s numerous asymmetrical guilds, you’ll flex your influence over different areas of the ever-shifting dynamic economy in a bid to come out on top.

With a hand of dual-use action selection cards, you’ll strategically plan out your actions each turn. Kutná Hora’s prosperity will grow over time, as you plot, gain rights and build out across the shared city grid. Meanwhile, you’ll generate income from production, mine the underground for silver ore and work towards building St. Barbara’s Cathedral.

No two games are the same, since every player’s choices in a round will impact the economy in surprising ways.

So what makes the game unique?

Kutná Hora is a real city you can visit today It’s an absolutely beautiful scenic stop if you happen to be traveling through the Czech Republic anytime soon. We also took great care to incorporate lots of historical accuracy and subtle nuances about the city’s storied past throughout the game’s design.

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Asymmetrical guilds Players will draft their three different family guilds then place them on their player board strategically to gain maximum benefit. Each guild has influence over a separate area of the game’s economy. The potential combinations and the different ways each player utilizes the guilds as they take actions each round allows for incredibly high replay.

Consolidated resources All of the various guild resources in the game are represented by coins.

Whether you’re paying resources to build something or generating income based on your production, it’s always in the form of money. You simply multiply the amount you earn or spend by the current economic value of a given resource.

wood residue (80 percent) with recycled binding materials to create biodegradable products with a high level of detail.

The game also comes with cardboard coins, of course, but we wanted to give players an option to put some weight in their purse with a slick metal coin upgrade pack, too. It seems only fitting for a game about silver coin production. The upgrade pack (MSRP $29.95) contains 51 metal coins in three denominations (1s, 5s, 20s). Plus, each coin is modeled after the actual Czech grochen that was historically minted in the city during that time period.

Kutná Hora will soon be available in Q4 2023, alongside our full line of CGE releases, directly from us through our online retailer portal – with free shipping over $350 and no case quantities. Visit czechgames.markettime.com for more information.

The dynamic economy Kutná Hora utilizes a real-world supply and demand economic system that’s tracked through cleverly designed “cardboard computers.” As players build out the city, it will affect different areas of the economy. When more supply is introduced into the market, the value of a resource will gradually drop. As population increases, it will drive the value back up as demand rises.

RE-Wood and metal coin upgrades Most of the token components in Kutná Hora are made from a new recycled material called RE-Wood. This alternative material for board game components is a great selling point for ecominded gamers.

It combines shredded czechgames.com

“KOOT-nah HOR-ah”

Smelt precious silver to develop a Medieval royal city and build a beautiful gothic cathedral — with influence and aid from prominent guilds and intrepid miners.

Age:

13+

Players:

2–4

Time:

30 /

MIN

cge.as/khbgg

COMING SOON

Q4 2023!

CzechGames.com

Shadows of Brimstone Enemies on the Horizon

by Ethan Lowe, Distributor and Retail Relations Manager, Flying Frog Productions

T

his year the critically-acclaimed Shadows of Brimstone game series adds some exciting new genres to the mix with two Brimstone Adventures Core Sets – Gates of Valhalla and Valley of the Serpent Kings! With an Age of Exploration theme, these sets let players add Vikings and Spanish Explorers respectively, to their fast-paced, cooperative dungeon-crawl games of Shadows of Brimstone.

In Gates of Valhalla, each player creates a Viking character, such as a Jarl, Raider, Berserker or Huscarl. Forming a party of heroes, the players explore a dynamically-generated Norseland, overcoming dangerous encounters and fighting savage mythical creatures, while collecting gear and artifacts to help them on their adventures.

In Valley of the Serpent Kings, each player creates a character, taking on the role of a classic Spanish conquistador archetype, such as El Capitan, Explorer, Duelist or Soldier. They enter the dark halls of an abandoned Spanish fort that has fallen into shadow and set out to explore the alien Swamps of Jargono in the Valley of the Serpent Kings, 44

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facing deadly encounters and sinister Serpentmen.

One of the great strengths of Shadows of Brimstone is that all of the Core Sets are fully compatible with all of the other Shadows of Brimstone Expansions and Enemy Packs. A key feature that gives great depth to the game is the wide variety of Enemy Threats that players can encounter across the worlds of Brimstone.

This fall, monthly releases will bring Enemy Packs with new tricks and tactics to challenge adventurous hero parties.

The Feathered Serpents Enemy Pack will bring the Serpents of Kotak, descending from the heavens to hiss and strike at those who would dare intrude on the jungle temples dedicated to their ancient master. These venomous airborne enemies have the ability to avoid killing blows thanks to the death wards Kotak has granted them. Even after a fight has ended, their poisonous bites will linger and continue to harm heroes.

The Setaris Kitewings are a ruthless alien civilization, bent on conquest and devastation. A reptilian species with large leathery wings, they often act in small bands of space pirates known as Ravager Enclaves. The Setaris Ravagers Enemy

Pack lets players pit their rudimentary weapons against the Setaris laser rifles and hit-and-run tactics of these invaders.

Highly anticipated by veteran players, the Thunderforged Titan XXL Deluxe Enemy Pack will bring a towering challenge to any group that provokes this massive opponent. Bursting through the ancient gates of the Underworld, the towering titan emerges from the cold depths of Niflheim to show chaos and devastation upon the worlds of men.

Heroes can undertake the mission, “Twilight of the Gods,” to stop the Ragnarok that this hammer wielding behemoth seeks to bring. If they hope to succeed, they will have to contend with the titan’s Thunderforged Armor that will repel their blows and a new deck of Titanic Devastation cards that the Thunderforged Titan can use to unleash sweeping special attacks on all its foes!

The modular design and full compatibility of expansions in the Shadows of Brimstone game series allows players to create their own epic campaigns and include the genres and enemies that they are most excited to encounter. flyingfrog.net

Lost Ruins of Arnak: The Missing Expedition from Czech Games Edition offers allnew two expedition leaders, two research tracks and cards. Content can be added to a standard game or discovered gradually in a cooperative campaign. czechgames.com/en/lost-ruins-ofarnak-the-missing-expedition

The Underwater Cavern scent from The Crafty Gamer features notes of citrus, sea salt, ozone, cardamom, amber and dark musk. The invigorating ocean scent and distinct tang of sea salt gradually encompass the environment.

The Search for Lost Species from Renegade Game Studios is a deduction and logic game where you need to search for species thought to be extinct. A follow up to The Search for Planet X!

aromasofadventure.com wholesale@aromasofadventure.com

renegadegamestudios.com/ the-search-for-lost-species

Hasty Baker from GoChuckle is a beautifully illustrated, fast-paced family card game. Strategically sabotage other players as you race to complete dessert recipes. It’s a great game for all ages! info@gochuckle.com Gourmet Popcorn Dice from Van Ryder Games keeps the gameplay of the original Popcorn Dice with the added challenge to collect color pairs for bonus points! Two to six players, ages 7 and up. MSRP: $14.99 vanrydergames.com/gourmet-popcorn-dice byron@vanrydergames

New Products on28, pages 30 74, and75, 3785 More More New Products on pages 38, 39, Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

49

Aurora: Players Voted for

it, Dragon Shield Forged it

By Marie Canter, Professor at the Arcania School of Dragonology

W

e’re nothing without our community. If there’s one thing that truly drives us to deliver high-quality and creative sleeves for more than 20 years, it’s the incredible and active players who inspire and motivate us. It’s so important to what Dragon Shield is that it is also a cornerstone to our brand mission.

Player’s Choice came out of this buzzing lair of committed fans. Already in its first year – 2022 – we saw the potential for engaging even more with our community by launching the first ever Player’s Choice contest.

Simply put, we offered up three sleeve colors that our community fanbase could vote for on our Facebook page. The color voted most popular would be produced and sold as the Player’s Choice matte sleeves. Following the initial contest, it was clear that there was a real interest in having a voice in the colors produced.

Inspired by the overwhelming number of comments, likes and interactions that were shared, we followed up the color contest with an artwork contest. Our followers were invited to share their most Dragon Shield-esque artwork inspired by the winning color. The winning pieces would proudly be featured on our famous, dragon-themed sleeve boxes.

The 2023 winning color was “Aurora,” and the matte sleeves are launching this November. The name references the aurora skies that often flicker and dance in the furthest corners of the northern hemisphere. We are familiar with these magical lights from the vaults of our night-time skies. In Arcanian lore, they take a slightly different form, reflecting onto the Sun Wielder tribe.

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In the far reaches of Arcania, Procoris the Sun Wielder is the protector of the Moongem Lake. Like the other Sun Wielders, Procoris harnesses sunmagic to nurture the young Sun Wielders growing in the lake. They gather sustenance from the sunmagic and transform it into their moongem armor and horns. These features are unique to the Sun Wielders and help them protect their tribe and domain.

Out of hundreds of submitted artworks, two won the 2023 Player’s Choice Contest. The chosen artwork for the standard size sleeves was created

by Daniele Procopio. She has always expressed herself through artwork, and the illustrations found on various TCG cards have long fascinated her and turned into a source of inspiration.

For our Japanese-sized sleeves, Zaralynn’s submitted piece was chosen.

She is an illustrator based in Spain, and her contribution features a growing Sun Wielder polliwog, Suntos the Moonborn.

She is inspired not only by TCG, but also roleplay, and has been creating original characters for as long as she has been drawing.

We’re looking forward to releasing the artworks on our second annual Player’s Choice Standard and Japanese size Aurora matte sleeves. They will be available at local gaming stores this fall.

Once again, we are exceptionally proud of the artwork that comes out of the Player’s Choice collaboration. It is a testament to our commitment to our community as well as our community’s dedication to Dragon Shield.

arcanetinmen.com

Chosen and

designed by

FANS! FANS

AT-11058 | MSRP: $ 12.49

AT-11158 | MSRP: $ 7.99

Aurora

Aurora

MATTE

MATTE

Standard size

Japanese size

ORDER NOW Contact your distributor or find our official distributors at www.dragonshield.com/distributor

STREET DATE: NOVEMBER 17

A Love Letter to

Norse Mythology

by Laura Fontanella, Translatress, Mana Project Studio

A

re you looking for products that immediately catch the customer’s eye with a neat design and highly evocative illustrations? Are you looking for products that will also tickle the fancy of collectors? Are you looking for products that correspond to the perfect fusion of the earthly world of the Vikings and the otherworldly world of the Norse gods?

Then Journey to Ragnarok is what you are looking for.

Journey To Ragnarok was born from the union of two great passions: roleplaying and Norse mythology.

Journey To Ragnarok is a Norse mythology-inspired setting and adventure module for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. Every single event, NPC or encounter that will cross the adventurers’ path is the result of more than 15 years of love, research, reading and travel. Our intention is for adventurers to discover and explore the true origins of Norse mythology, which profoundly influences various media products: from fantasy literature to games, from comics to films.

Journey to Ragnarok was created as a setting, as a rich volume in which to find valuable information on the world of Odin, Freja, Thor and Loki, in which to find vivid descriptions of the world of the 52

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Viking heroes fully playable in the game.

Moreover, Journey to Ragnarok offers players much more than just a corebook. It is a project that, successively, has inspired the creation of many other products which are now belonging to the same line.

The Journey to Ragnarok set of products consists of a game master screen, artfully illustrated with epic scenes and that shows a colorful and bright representation of the Nine Worlds; an adventure entitled The Rune Thief which immediately plunges headlong into the setting of the Viking culture; and Norse Grimoire, a tome with which players will be able to increase the magical power of their characters thanks to special runes and enchanted tattoos, while also providing in-depth philological research on these topics.

The illustrations, exquisitely detailed, grandiloquent and evocative, make this series of products truly unique. The two main tomes, the Journey to Ragnarok Adventure and Setting, the adventure

The Rune Thief and the Norse Grimoire expansion volume are also available in their deluxe edition. This edition is leather-bound with elegant and refined metallic decorations – a truly gem for every collector.

When a Dungeons and Dragons player sets their eyes on these products, it is virtually impossible for them to choose to take just one for their home sessions.

One product really leads to another; a player simply can’t get only one! For all those who want to learn how to play the game or who are approaching it for the first time, Journey to Ragnarok is ideal.

We are all familiar with Norse myths and legends thanks to TV series, comic books and films in which Vikings and their deities appear. Consequently, these people are more likely to already have the cultural references that they will be able to delve into in the game.

With Journey to Ragnarok’s evocative illustrations, powerful setting, easy-toremember mechanics, unique design and rich materials, it is definitely a collection worth having in your shop.

manaprojectstudio.com

SILVER ENNIE AWARD - BEST ART, INTERIOR Ennie Nomination - Best Monster/Adversary Origins Awards Finalist - 2D Art & Illustration

In Seven Sinner, the corrupted world is a matter of fact: the Seven Deadly Sins are no more relegated into the ethical or moral sphere; on the contrary, in this game these sins are dragged into our material reality: here, the Seven Deadly Sins are an overwhelming and supernatural certainty.

Seven Sinner is compatible with 5th edition and with 1st edition (OSRIC).

Contact your distributor or info@manapprojectstudio.com for this product information.

Introducing the Future of Miniature Paint:

Warpaints Fanatic!

by Cecilie Randrup Krog, Copywriter, The Army Painter

“T

hese paints are literally ‘magic in a bottle’!”

“I’m impressed.”

“It’s a miracle that an orange covers that well.”

What better way to introduce the brand new Warpaints Fanatic than with statements shared from early testers?

The Army Painter has always been committed to producing high-quality products for hobbyists and gamers alike.

Therefore, we actively encourage users to share their feedback, both the good and the bad. We listen and take it to heart.

When the hobby community asked for a paint that covers easily, with intense pigmentation, great consistency and a wide range of colors, we knew we had to deliver!

But how do you create a paint that performs for the best painters in the world and meets gamers’ demands while still being easy enough to use for someone just starting out?

Well, that wasn’t easy. To do so, we developed a proprietary stabilizing technology. This allowed us to create a paint that features more pigment in a better covering and easy-to-use formulation.

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The result: Warpaints Fanatic. It’s a high-quality acrylic paint with an extremely dense pigment formulation set in a premium resin base with proprietary stabilizers to ensure smooth, effortless application and unsurpassed performance. The paints can be thinned to extreme levels for advanced techniques or applied right over a miniature for effortless coverage while retaining pigment dispersion. Thus, it’s a fit for every stage of the hobby journey.

The range offers 216 colors designed in a Flexible Color Triad System. Every paint fits into a segment of paint colors made of the same root color. Each segment is called a Flexible Triad; inside this segment, you’ll find six paints ranging in tone from dark to light with a consistent hue, making it easy to select the perfect paint.

We know that all painters have diverse needs. That is why the complete Warpaints Fanatic range will include a host of high-value boxed sets to fit the needs of every gamer, painter, skill-level and budget.

The Starter Paint Set and the Mega Paint Set are the two core sets of the Warpaints Fanatic range. The Starter Paint

Set is perfect for anyone getting started in the hobby as it features all the essentials (11 paints, a miniature figure, a starter brush, and a painting guide). The Mega Paint Set features the same 11 paints as the Starter Paint Set and 39 other paints, making it perfect for the more seasoned painter. Also included is a painting guide, character brush, and free paint station.

Two great add-on sets are the Most Wanted Paint Set and Wargamers Paint Set. The Most Wanted Set features 22 must-have colors from the Fanatic range, hand-selected to match and work with the two core sets. The Wargamers Set features 100 new colors.

All the boxes are designed as great starter sets with everything you need for every stage of the hobby journey. The Warpaints Fanatic Racking System – a must-have for any retailer – compliments the boxed sets as it features the full range for customers to browse through and be inspired by.

To make a long story short, Warpaints Fanatic is the new gold standard for miniature paints, offering the quality and performance the hobby community deserves. thearmypainter.com

THE FUTURE OF

MINIATURE PAINTING IS HERE

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200+ COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF PAINTS

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ALL-NEW PAINT RANGE OF FANATIC QUALITY What if the perfect miniature paint DID exist? We know that’s impossible, but that didn’t stop us from trying! Designed to deliver unsurpassed coverage while being incredibly easy-to-use, featuring intense pigmentation, and in a Flexible Colour Triad system – Warpaints Fanatic are the new gold standard for miniature paints.

Pre-order yours today!

thearmypainter.com

$199.99

WARPAINTS fanatic

GET MORE TIME FOR GAMING

Art Society

A New SPIEL Hit from Mighty Boards

by David Chircop, Director, Mighty Boards Photos courtesy of BoardGameShot

A

rt Society is a new two- to four-player, tile laying family game from Mighty Boards.

In Art Society, you are an art connoisseur trying to impress your peers by putting together the most fashionable art collection of them all! You bid on the hottest works of art, then arrange them on your drawing room wall into a tastefully curated gallery that’s the envy of the local art scene.

But fashion is fleeting, and trends are difficult to predict.

The paintings that you and your fellow collectors do not buy will eventually make their way to the museum, changing the worth of your collection.

Art Society has excellent shelf presence with a beautiful double-layered box featuring a few of the more than 100 original paintings in the game, most inspired by the world’s most iconic works of art. Inside, the game comes with a custom velveted insert/organizer and embossed player boards, making it a tactile product that players will want to hold and interact with. All of this while achieving a $40 MSRP. With simple, intuitive rules that take less than five minutes to explain and an irresistible look, Art Society makes a fantastic gateway game for those new to the hobby, and the mechanics reward repeated plays and careful planning to keep even seasoned gamers engaged.

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Art Society’s combination of its look, tactile product design, easy to learn mechanics and accessible price point set it to become a staple on your gateway or family games shelf and an easy, reliable recommendation for your customers. It also makes a gorgeous gift for the upcoming holiday season.

Art Society was a standout hit at Essen Spiel 2023, selling out within a day and has been receiving rave reviews. Steph Hodge said it’s “One of my favorite games I learned this year” and was game of the month for her.

Ratings from the Essen fair are also extremely high.

We believe it’s best to see what the buzz is about for yourself, so Mighty Boards is offering a free demo copy to all retailers who place a pre-order at release. The game will hit stores in November 2023.

Contact sales@mighty-boards.com or your distributor to place your pre-order. mighty-boards.com

A rt A r y y t e i i Soocc S WA MITCH

“A very sharp and incredibly satisfying tile laying game” -Rahdo

L L AC E

Free Demo Copy with your order

Available End-November 2-4 players 30-60min.

10+

To order or organise a demo event contact sales@mighty-boards.com

A Look at Frosthaven Available Now

by Ross Thompson, Marketing Manager, Cephalofair Games

F

rom the #1 game on BoardGameGeek with Gloomhaven, to the top funding game on Kickstarter with Frosthaven, Cephalofair Games is excited to bring the Gloomhaven sequel, Frosthaven to retail!

This all-in-one adventure is available now through distribution or direct through Cephalofair’s retailer program.

Frosthaven is the story of a small outpost far to the north of the capital city of White Oak. The outpost is barely surviving the harsh weather and invasions from forces both known and unknown.

There, a group of mercenaries at the end of their rope will help bring back this settlement from the edge of destruction.

Not only will they have to deal with the harsh elements, but there are other, far more dangerous threats out in the unforgiving cold. There are Algox, the bigger, more yeti-like cousins of the Inox, attacking from the mountains; Lurkers flooding in from the northern sea; and rumors of machines that wander the frozen wastes of their own free will. The party of mercenaries must face all of these perils, and perhaps in doing so, make peace with these new races so they can work together against even more sinister forces.

Frosthaven is a standalone adventure from the designer and publisher of Gloomhaven that features 16 new characters, three new races, more than 20 new enemies, more than 100 new items 58

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and a new, 100-scenario campaign.

Characters and items from Gloomhaven will be usable in Frosthaven, and vice versa.

In addition to having the wellknown combat mechanisms of Gloomhaven, Frosthaven will feature much more to do outside of combat, such as numerous mysteries to solve, a seasonal event system to live through and player control over how this ramshackle village expands, with each new building offering new ways to progress.

Each scenario is played out through rounds of combat against fully automated enemies. Each round, you will play two cards to determine when and how your character will act out their turn. Each card has two special actions; on your turn, you can perform the top action of one card and the bottom action of another. These actions are powerful and unique, offering a plethora of choices and variety play

styles depending on the character you choose.

Frosthaven has a whole new set of items but there is a mechanic for bringing items over from Gloomhaven.

However, as it is a remote location, these products get imported and are not there as standard.

Resources are much more valuable and you have to build items through a crafting system rather than just buy them.

Frosthaven and its accessories are available now through distribution and Cephalofair’s retailer program. Contact their sales representatives at retailers@ cephalofair.com or your distributor to have Frosthaven in your store.

For other Cephalofair Game titles such as Gloomhaven, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion and their support accessories, such as Solo Scenarios and Sticker Sets, contact the Cephalofair Games sales representative. cephalofair.com

Frosthaven is a standalone adventure from the designer and publisher of Gloomhaven that features seventeen new characters, three new ancestries, more than twenty new enemies, more than one hundred new items, and a new, 138-scenario campaign.

In addition to having the well-known combat mechanisms of Gloomhaven, Frosthaven features much more to do outside of combat, such as numerous mysteries to solve, a seasonal event system to live through, and player control over how this ramshackle village expands, with each new building offering new ways to progress.

Player Count: 1-4 · Time: 30-120 Minutes · Ages: 14+ Available through major distribution or direct from Cephalofair Games!

FROSTHAVEN · SKU: CPH0601 · MSRP: $249.99 · Contact Information: Chris Kessler — retailers@cephalofair.com

Boogie Board Reusable Writing Tablets: The Ultimate Life Pads and

Ultimate Holiday Gift

by Monica Whitehurst, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Boogie Board

W

ith the holiday season fast approaching, you’re undoubtedly on the hunt for unique and exciting gift ideas to offer your customers. Look no further! This year, consider adding reusable Boogie Board LCD writing and drawing tablets to your lineup of holiday gift recommendations. These innovative writing devices are the perfect choice for the tabletop card gamer in every family.

Tabletop card gaming has seen a resurgence in recent years. From iconic card classics to newer titles on the scene, the world of card games is as diverse as it is thrilling. Whether gamers are seasoned players or new to the world of tabletop card games, Boogie Board tablets can enhance everyone’s gaming experience in more ways than one.

So why are Boogie Board Reusable Tablets a great gift for the holidays?

Authenticity and patented technology Boogie Board invented the world’s first reusable writing and drawing tablet in 2009, and ultimately the larger LCD tablet category at large. Today, there are multiple copycat versions of Boogie Board’s patented technology on the market. When recommending gifts for tabletop gamers this season, we encourage you to tell shoppers to “look for the scribble” in Boogie Board’s registered logo. It’s a sign of authenticity, superior quality and rigorous safety standards.

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Eco-friendly gaming Boogie Board tablets are the environmentally conscious choice for gamers. Say goodbye to stacks of disposable paper scorecards and life counters. With a reusable Boogie Board tablet, players can easily keep track of their scores, life totals and other gamerelated information without generating any paper waste. It’s a small step towards greener gaming, and it’s sure to resonate with sustainably-minded players.

Versatility Boogie Board tablets are not limited to just one function. They can serve as digital scorecards, life counters and notetaking devices. Their versatility makes them an invaluable tool for gamers who like to jot down strategies, make quick calculations or sketch out game plans on the fly. With Boogie Board, gamers have a multipurpose gaming companion that adapts to their needs.

Ease of use One of the standout features of Boogie Board tablets is their userfriendliness. They provide a familiar pen-and-paper feel without the mess or waste. Players can write, erase and rewrite effortlessly, making it a breeze to update game scores or take quick notes during a game without disrupting the flow of play.

Long battery life No one wants their gaming session to be cut short due to a dead battery. Boogie Board tablets offer extended battery life, ensuring that they’ll last through even the most epic gaming marathons.

Compact and portable Reusable Boogie Board tablets like Jot and Jot Pocket are slim and lightweight, making them easy to carry to gaming events, meetups or game nights at a friend’s house. They slip into backpacks or card game deck boxes with ease, ensuring player always have their gaming essentials close at hand.

An unforgettable gift As the holiday season approaches, offering Boogie Board tablets as a gift option for tabletop card gamers is a smart choice. They provide a unique and practical solution for players looking to enhance their gaming experience, while also reducing their environmental impact. Plus, the product’s user-friendly design and versatility makes it suitable for gamers of all ages and experience levels.

myboogieboard.com

OPEN

Product views

RATES

Follows

Clic

Likes CLICK

I

n a world filled with data, understanding which data is important, and when, is critical. Marketing plans are no different.

As the paths to market products increase, so do the data points available.

While all information is valuable, it’s important to know how valuable each of the metrics may be to your company.

Determining the type of data that can predict success for your bottom line can be confusing, and even filled with distractions, but if you approach the information using a bit of logic, you can usually cut through the noise to create a strong plan for the road ahead.

Starting with social media, because it can be the “noisiest” when it comes to data and analytics, It’s important to understand what information actually impacts your business. While it may be nice to see the reach number go up or see a bunch of likes and comments on your posts, if those individual actions don’t drive business objectives, they can become distracting.

In other words, while it’s obviously great to develop social media content that grabs attention and drives engagement, because it allows more of your content 62

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to reach more people and creates greater brand awareness if you can’t drive the desired action (like buying a product!), then that gain is often wasted. While it’s great to know your number of reach/ impressions, likes and comments, make sure you’re also looking at how much traffic your website receives from links on social media. Because remember, while brand awareness is great, it can’t pay your bills. Ultimately, you need to convert those eyeballs into traffic to your points of sale, and ideally, into sales.

When you’re reviewing your social media activity (and you should absolutely review it at least once a quarter), be sure to ask yourself if social media is helping your business goals directly. You can always justify the indirect benefit of social media, but it needs to be an avenue for direct benefit as well.

Newsletters are another great tool for reaching out to customers, and they also have a bunch of different data points that can often create misunderstanding, and the wrong activities can often lead to misleading results.

For example, if you always have a great

open rate because you run giveaways in your newsletter every month, it’s fantastic that so many people on your newsletter take the time to open your message, but if you can’t get them to take an action other than trying for the free giveaway that week/month, then unfortunately all you’ve trained them to do is look for the free thing, and not actually have an interest in your new products, your products that are back in stock, or your upcoming products.

Resist the “quick fix” of getting new subscribers/followers/opens/etc by creating rewards that don’t ultimately benefit your business objectives. Building a marketing plan on a foundation of giveaways and free things is asking for an audience that cares about free things, and not about your brand, and sometimes it can be difficult to course correct down the line.

Instead of open rate, compare your email list to your customer list. See how many of those individuals have purchased from your webstore in the last year? How many have purchased multiple times? Is it worth creating some kind of VIP mailing list within your subscribers, where you reach out to those individuals specifically

Open Rates

Likes

VIEWS

Clicks

Click Throughs

Follows Product ks

K THROUGHS with a coupon or exclusive promo as a way of saying thank you for their loyalty? Doing so can potentially lead to greater customer loyalty, which can yield much better results than say giving away a popular title to boost your general numbers. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but be sure to measure objectively, and set the target ahead of time to be sure bias doesn’t impact your review of the results.

Advertising is another outreach tool that can yield a mountain of data, but it’s important to remember that not all of that data is useful in determining if your advertising was successful. It’s important to have a clear objective for your advertising (I want to sell this product OR I want subscribers to my newsletter OR I want followers on my crowdfunding campaign).

Then before you start advertising, be sure you can track the result you’re looking for from those ads. Whether that’s using items like Meta Pixel, campaign URLs, Google Tags, or other analytics tools, you’ll want to know with as much certainty as possible whether the money you’re spending is yielding the result you’re looking for. If you aren’t familiar with those

tools, it’s worth the time to learn more about them, because they can save you money in the long run.

For example, when running a campaign to drive new subscribers to your newsletter, stay focused on the true goal. Understanding your CPC (Cost per Click) is important but be sure to take it to the next step and understand how much you’re spending per new subscription from those ads. It’s very possible to have an ad that delivers a low CPC but doesn’t deliver on your end goal of new subscriptions. If that’s happening, don’t be afraid to change up your creative, copy, or call to action in order to drive the result you’re actually looking for.

Your website is a gold mine of data, but understanding what all of it means can be frustrating. Some key metrics you may want to understand a bit better include your traffic sources (where are the visitors coming from?) and the path they take once they get there (what pages do they visit?

Do they immediately leave?).

Traditional metrics like bounce rates and number of pages visited can give a small glimpse, but often don’t tell the whole

story. For example, if a customer visited 5 pages on their visit, is that a good thing?

What if they visited that many because they couldn’t find what they were looking for? Reviewing data like customer journey can reveal frustrating pinch points in your website, and allow you to improve your customer experience, which ideally leads to more sales.

All data can be helpful given the proper context and infinite time. But infinite time is something none of us have. It’s important to identify those key performance indicators and use those to drive your decision making. It’s easy to get caught up in the vanity metrics like followers and shares, and lose sight of the real goal, which is selling products.

Instead, evaluate success in marketing the same way you evaluate the rest of your business activity: How much did this cost vs. how much revenue did it generate?

When you can answer those questions about your marketing, you can make better choices about where you spend your time, effort and energy.

Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

63

Dragon Shield Non-Glare Matte Sleeves:

Glaringly Superb!

by Marie Canter, Arcanian Adventurer Extraordinaire, Peachstate Hobby Distribution

S

tep back in time with us, back to an age before the vast spectrum of colors permeated every glance, surface and physical matter; when everything existed in black and white. In a time where little of what was said was copied onto paper – certainly long before we used the recognizable, written language you are reading this very moment. Let’s go back to the beginning. This was the time when the first thoughts-turned-inventions made crucial impact on the world as it was. Fire.

The wheel. Non-glare matte sleeves.

Philistine critics will argue that the latter has no place in such a list of groundbreaking developments. Dragons of old would say otherwise.

The first flames of the forge were barely more than embers when the nonglare matte sleeves came into being.

Molded by innovative minds, they quickly became the prototype for new, bold and colorful offspring. But the originals

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disappeared into the shadows of the caverns. Time progressed and developments ensued, but the beginning of the matte sleeves lay packed away, seemingly forgotten by all.

But one day, a day much closer to our own timeline, the sweeper dragon clearing the corners discovered the dusty first creations. In a world of reflections and color, the non-glare matte sleeves in clear and black stood out. With the quick wipe of a damp cloth, their true brilliance was revealed, and the sweeper dragon sprinted over to their forge dragons gathered around the forge fires.

Grasped in their claws, the forge dragons held the sleeves up to the bright lights and marveled at the non-glare surface of each of them. The shuffle-feel

was outstanding, thanks to the matte surface on the sleeves back. From there, however, the two colors stood in contrast to one another just as day to night. As the forge dragons inserted a card into the clear sleeve, the illustrations and writing were clear as day. Fully transparent while remaining matte, the clear sleeve perfectly displayed the card protected within it. Yet the black sleeve seemed to engulf the back of the card; while transparent on the front, the back of the sleeves was impossible to detect – it was fully opaque.

The forge dragons exchanged a slow, appreciative acknowledgement of these qualities. No doubt was harbored by any of the master forgers. These sleeves would be fashioned over fire and set free into the wide world beyond the forge port.

Direct from the dragon’s lair, Dragon Shield is proud to release the player’s favorite Non-Glare Matte Clear and NonGlare Matte Black. Imbued with antireflective surfaces to prevent harsh glares on-camera and on-screen, these matte sleeves are perfectly suited for a friendly joust as well as tournament play. The only thing glaring is their superior shuffle-feel and high-quality production. phdgames.com

Code: ATMDSH11822 | MSRP: $13.99

Street Date November 17 Order Today at Portal.PHDGames.com PHD is a proud distributor of Dragon Shield.

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Unveiling Garden Guests Where the Path to Victory is Paved by Beetles

by Julie Ahern, Sr. Director of Operations, Van Ryder Games

E

nter the realm of Garden Guests, the newest game for two to six players

by Van Ryder Games, that promises a journey through a world of botanical beauty and strategic planning. Against the backdrop of exquisite paper-cut art, this board game invites players ages 8 and up to embark on an adventure, where cunning strategy and teamwork are the keys to success.

In Garden Guests, the objective is seemingly simple: players must create a continuous path across the garden board from one home base side to the other. However, the twist lies in the details as players take turns drawing cards, exchanging cards with teammates and utilizing their cards to either erect towering pedestals or extend their pathways. While a player is creating their path, so is everyone else, trying to cut each other off from the other side and from victory. It’s a blend of individual cunning and collective coordination that keeps players immersed in the gameplay.

The pedestals emerge as pivotal elements in Garden Guests, serving as crucial connectors between a player’s base and other towers, or as bridges from one tower to another. But here’s the exciting part: if you haven’t yet linked a pedestal to your pathway, your crafty opponents can seize the opportunity to steal it by constructing a larger pedestal with the appropriate cards. Once a pedestal is

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connected, the player’s colony can move in and claim it for the rest of the game.

Garden Guests demands flexible planning; do you outmaneuver your rival by protecting your tower from a rival colony, or should you save those flower cards to build a new pedestal somewhere else?

To construct a pathway, players discard cards that match the colors of each space in their intended route.

Colors are depicted by different types of flowers, which make up the garden board.

Once a path is established, it becomes a permanent fixture on the board. Your

opponents may find themselves needing to navigate their pathways around yours.

Ultimately, the winner in Garden Guests is the first team that successfully creates a pathway stretching across the entire expanse of the board.

Playing Garden Guests offers a unique and captivating experience that appeals to a wide range of players. Its beautiful paper-cut art adds an element of whimsy to this uniquely themed game.

With the variable player count and family friendly approachability, it is sure to be a favorite.

vanrydergames.com

Scented Products to Amplify Tabletop Experiences

by Carlos Tamajon, Owner, The Crafty Gamer

A

romas of Adventure began when we wanted more than just visuals and audio at the table, so we started looking for scents to create a truly immersive experience. However, we couldn’t find anything that fit the story we were playing. So, in 2018, we decided to create our own scented candles using a starter kit and some fragrance oils.

Our fragrances are meticulously designed and crafted to enhance your experiences when delving into the realm of tabletop roleplaying games.

Each of our scents are inspired by a range of atmospheric locations meant to immerse you further into your worlds.

Science tells us that our olfactory memories are uniquely powerful, often triggering emotions with intensity that other senses may struggle to match.

The waft of a particular aroma can transport you to a cherished place, a nostalgic time or even an unforgettable experience. Harnessing this connection can be a powerful tool in improving your gaming sessions.

Each of our products contains an adventure hook on every label meant to be the starting point for any session. We consider our products more than just scents; they’re portals to untraversed tales. As the flickering glow illuminates the room, our scent notes will guide your party to epic sagas, form unforgettable bonds and bring your session to life in untold ways.

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thecraftygamer.com

Insuring L

Toy and Game Manufacturers for a Half Century

by Bob Witkin, Toy Industry and Juvenile Products Specialist, York Jersey Underwriters

ocated in Tinton Falls, NJ, York Jersey Underwriters was founded in 1926. Since then, we have pioneered insuring a variety of businesses in the toy industry. We are licensed in all 50 states and represent many leading insurers as an independent agency. We are a successful insurance program manager for specific industries and are pleased to offer our Liability Insurance Program for the toy, game, hobby and juvenile products industries.

Program highlights include: • A ++ rated insurer with $20 billion in assets • Exceeds all leading retailers’ insurance requirements • Variable rates based on sales projections • Foreign and domestic liability coverage • Blanket additional insured vendors • Employee benefits liability • All certificates and claims are handled in house • Quick quotation turnaround • Product Recall Expense – $250,000 • Umbrella up to $50 million • Ocean cargo • Property • Workers sompensation • Intellectual property • Bond • Commercial auto • Cyber

To learn more, visit toy-insurance.com, call 800-392-6958 to connect with Jason Welch (ext. 318, jawelch@york-jersey.com) or Robert Witkin (ext. 331, bobwitkin@york-jersey.com).

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york-jersey.com

Life is unpredictable...are you PROTECTED? Over 90 years protecting people and businesses from the unexpected.

Program Highlights • A++ rated insurer, $20 Billion in assets.

• Exceeds WalMart and other leading retailers insurance requirements.

Serving All Your Insurance Needs Since 1926

Toy Insurance York-Jersey Underwriters

has been in business since 1926 and has 40 years experience with the Toy Industry. We are licensed in all 50 states and represent many leading insurers as an independent agency. We are successful insurance program managers for specific industries and are pleased to offer our Liability Insurance Program for the Toy, Hobby & Juvenile Industries.

Jason Welch x318

• Variable rates based on sales projections.

• Foreign & Domestic liability coverage.

• Blanket additional insured vendors.

• Employee benefits liability.

• All certificates and claims handled in house.

• Quick quotation turnaround.

• Product recall expense at no cost from $50,000 to $250,000.

Additional Coverage

jawelch@york-jersey.com

• Umbrella up to $50,000,000.

Robert Witkin x331

• Ocean Cargo & Property.

bobwitkin@york-jersey.com 185 Newman Springs Road Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

(800) 392-6958 www.toy-insurance.com Available to meet you at the show!

Juvenile Products

JPMA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

• Workers Compensation.

• Commercial Auto.

• Intellectual properties (copyrights, trademarks & patents).

• Cyber, D&O, E&O and EPLI • US Customs Bond Insurance.

Art Society from Mighty Boards is a tile laying, family game. With simple, intuitive rules, it’s a fantastic gateway game for those new to the hobby, while rewarding mechanics keep seasoned gamers engaged. sales@mighty-boards.com

Dragonbane from Free League Publishing is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game. It provides laughs at the table, while still offering brutal challenges for adventurers.

Freehand from Indie Game Studios lets anyone can make a masterpiece. Players secretly choose an image card, then try to paint something – with cubes! – close enough for others to guess what it is.

dragonbane-rpg.com

psiplayhouse.com/ wp/?product=freehand Vindication Archive of the Ancients Edition from Orange Nebula Includes all the major expansions, Kickstarter bonuses, modules, promos and most the packs and nick-nacks from across its five-year history. retail@orangenebula.com

In Catapult Feud from Vesuvius Media, build your castle, place your troops, and launch the catapults to knock ‘em down!

More than 100,000 already sold! vesuviusmedia.com

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The Jot Reusable Writing Tablet from Boogie Board is perfect to use as a gamer’s life pad, take down notes or doodle and draw. Write with the included stylus or even your fingernail. games@kentdisplays.com

Annapurna from Fiat Lucre is a tactical game about climbing the world’s most dangerous mountain.

The second edition is now out and offers four games in one box. annapurnaboardgame.com/about-1

Shadows of Brimstone: Thunderforged Titan XXL Deluxe Enemy Pack from Flying Frog contains everything you need to have epic battles, including a new deck of Titanic Devastation cards and a new mission, “Twilight of the Gods.” ethan@flyingfrog.net

Warpaints Fanatic from The Army Painter is great for gamers, painters and hobbyists of all skill levels. The Mega Paint Set includes 50 high-quality paints and a free Paint Station. thearmypainter.com/fanatic

More New Products on pages 28, 38, 39, 49, 85 Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

75

Tell Your Own Story in

Night City I

By J. Gray, Cyberpunk RED Line Manager, R. Talsorian Games

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n 2022, famed Japanese animation firm Studio Trigger brought the gritty, neon-soaked streets of Night City to life in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Set in the world of Cyberpunk, created by Mike Pondsmith and R. Talsorian Games and further expanded by CD Project Red in the AAA video game, Cyberpunk 2077, this awardwinning anime focused the spotlight on Edgerunners: street mercenaries earning their money doing jobs on the edge of society and outside the heavily structured grind set up and controlled by the world’s Megacorporations.

Edgerunners fight, dance and live in the dark, dangerous space between the gutters and the stars. They aren’t heroes. They’ll never be the ones who save the world.

If they’re lucky, they just might be able to save themselves.

Few Edgerunners are ever lucky.

The journey to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners began in 1988, when R. Talsorian Games published the first edition of Cyberpunk (also known by fans as Cyberpunk 2013), the roleplaying game of the Dark Future. The first tabletop roleplaying game of the genre, Cyberpunk set the standard when it comes to near future, dystopian RPGs. The tradition continued strong into the modern era, with Cyberpunk RED, the latest edition, published in 2020. That same year CD Projekt Red released Cyberpunk 2077, the expansive, open-world video game set in the

same universe. Since 2020, the world of Cyberpunk has expanded with comics from Dark Horse, a novel from Orbit Books, and, of course, the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime.

Now, R. Talsorian Games is going full circle by announcing the release of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit. This standalone box set will allow gamers to visit Night City as portrayed in the anime and follow in the footsteps of the Edgerunners portrayed in the series, answering questions about what happens after the anime ends and how their own characters survive in Night City and deal with the legacy of David, Lucy, Rebecca and the other cyberpunks who blazed so brightly in those episodes.

The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit will provide new content for fans of the Cyberpunk franchise on multiple levels. Fans of the lore will learn new information about the world of Cyberpunk and the characters of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Gamers looking to transition into Cyberpunk as a tabletop roleplaying game will find the Mission Kit to be an easy point-of-entry at a lower cost than purchasing a full rulebook. And since Cyberpunk RED, the most recent edition of the tabletop roleplaying game, takes place in the year 2045, existing players purchasing the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit will receive their first glimpse into the unique cyberware, weapons and abilities of the 2070 era. They’ll be able to wield guns capable of penetrating or even ricocheting around cover, implant now-iconic cyberware such as mantis blades and gorilla arms into their bodies, and utilize quick hacks to invade the cybernetics of opponents and bend them to their will.

Featuring new character designs, created specifically for the box set by Cyberpunk: Edgerunners director Hiroyuki Imaishi, the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit is in development; an announcement on release will be coming soon. rtalsoriangames.com

The

Magnet Baron

Is Perfect for Tabletop Gamers

by Constantine Greanias, Owner and The Baron, Magnet Baron LLC

M

agnets, how do they work?

Thankfully, I’m not answering that question today, otherwise you wouldn’t actually want to read this article.

If you want to know, contact me at constantine@themagnetbaron.com.

A better question is how can The Magnet Baron help your shop? The answer is with custom super magnetic solutions for the tabletop miniature gaming community that are uniquely designed to solve a customer’s problem.

Miniatures hobbyists need a whole lot more after they buy a model. You carry glue, paint and brushes already.

We offer customized magnetic solutions to make your store become a true onestop shop. Whether they need a basing magnetic solution from our line of Flush-Fit Basing Magnets, customized magnetizing tools for option swaps on wargaming miniatures or reliable posable magnetic flight stands, The Magnet Baron has a huge selection of custom magnetic solutions. Take a look at themagnetbaron. com.

We at Magnet Baron carry the highest grade N52 Neodymium Super Magnets.

Grade N52 magnets are 1.5 times stronger than N35 magnets. From our custom model magnetization kits to our posable 78

AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

magnetic flight stands, we have something for every modeling enthusiast.

Check out our Magnicators designed to help hobbyists magnetize like a pro.

Magnicators are designed with magnets in the tips – one facing north, one facing south. Place a magnet on the tip of the Magnicator and glue the magnet in place.

Magnicators are designed to keep your fingers away from super glue; with their super glue-resistant tips, you won’t have to worry about gluing them to the magnet you are working with.

The Magnetization Starter Bundle is the best place to start for the budding magnetizing enthusiast. The pack comes with a variety of sizes, appropriate drills, drill handle, Magnicators and super glue for gamers to get an all-inone magnetization bundle for their first projects.

And if you need help knowing where to start, we are more than happy to hop on a call or provide recommendations via email. Just give us a shout at constantine@ themagnetbaron.com or 626-657-8462 and The Baron himself will get you squared away.

When you’re ready to place an order, we accept all major credit cards and don’t charge a fee for using them, so you don’t

have to apply for credit with us separately.

Through the end of the year, we’re offering a free POP display with your first order over $200, along with your standard free shipping in the U.S. over $100.

All magnetic products are 45 percent off MSRP. If you have high volumes of a specific magnet or custom magnet you need, we are more than happy to accommodate and work to find a perfect solution for you.

Come sign up for your wholesale account at magnetbaronwholesale.com today!

After 10 years in the magnet business, Constantine at The Magnet Baron has launched Vox Link, The Ultimate Tabletop Gaming Community App, which is designed to connect all of the tabletop wargaming community together. Check out what’s been called “The greatest technological advancement in the tabletop gaming industry in a decade” at voxlink.app.

Good-bye for now! business.voxlink.app

The Ultimate tabletop gaming community app!

Get on the tabletop event schedule today!

Get in front of gamers with the fastest growing tabletop community building app.

Sea of Lies: Where Deception Runs Deep

by Otavio Lessa, President, Mind’s Vision

W

elcome to the world of Sea of Lies, where the truth sinks and the lies float! In this successful crowdfunding project from Brazilian authors Vinicius Szabo and Bruno Zinneck, players must pick their pirate and get the crew’s support to become the ship’s new captain!

The game features amazing hand-drawn artwork by cult artist Leopoldo Anjo, an independent comic book illustrator who is quickly becoming a rising star in the industry.

With an average rating of 8+ on Ludopedia.com.br, Sea of Lies quickly

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became a reference in party games with social deduction gameplay, reaching multiple top lists in its home country.

With a colorful cast of 12 unique characters and a lot of replayability, the game is easy to learn and quick to set up.

It has no player eliminations, another factor that makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Since thieves have no honor, tall tales will be told to gather the necessary votes from the crew, and it is up to others to smell if something is fishy. Each character has special abilities and must pick one of the three types of story: a major feat of strength, a creepy

story or a hot gossip. You can either tell a story that matches the type you’ve got or simply make your rivals guess which card type you have. They can challenge your tale by betting their own crew members; if you win, the support is yours. Get caught, and you lose your turn.

Get your crew together on this highseas adventure of intrigue and strategy.

Plus, don’t forget to register for our newsletter at minds-vision.com to get a first glimpse at our latest announcements, promotions and giveaways.

minds-vision.com

GAMA news

Garima Sharma Elected to GAMA Board of Directors The Publisher Voting Member Group recently elected Garima Sharma with Skybound Entertainment as their new representative to the Board of Directors. This special election was to serve the remainder of the unexpired term that runs until March 31, 2025.

Please join us in welcoming Garima to the GAMA Board of Directors!

MEET GARIMA: What is your industry experience?

“I’ve been in the games industry for 7+ years, having worked in all areas of games publishing, development and distribution.

I’m currently the head of merchandise, tabletop and licensing at Skybound Entertainment (home to IPs such as The Walking Dead and Invincible). I’ve been in this role for 4+ years and have grown our tabletop catalogue from 4 to 18+ games, taking our titles global through a series of strategic and licensing moves.

Prior to Skybound, I was the VP of Product & Strategy at Studio71 where I connected the dots between creators and community through merchandise, tabletop games and mobile games. My work on boardgame Kickstarters such as The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls and Joking Hazard, has been featured in Publishers Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, Polygon, Destructoid, Entrepreneur, and Variety.”

Why would you like to serve on the board of directors?

“I came to the tabletop industry as a young, Indian female immigrant and despite the labels that I was experiencing elsewhere, I found a lot of helpful faces and friends willing to introduce me to the ins and outs of the industry. Seven years later, I continue to do the same in my role as an entrepreneur and executive. There are several reasons I would like to serve on the board of directors: Help create more inclusion and diversity within the games industry, especially through mentoring and guiding female talent.

Helping share my business chops with younger and less experienced designers and helping them navigate business strategy. I have three master’s degrees, each of which helps me in being a strong business leader. But I often come across talented creators, designers and marketers that don’t always understand numbers and end up citing business/spreadsheets as a weakness.

As a publisher, I have firsthand experience of a lot of pinpoints within the industry that I can help highlight and find solutions for.

I bring a global perspective to the table. Before getting my start in the US merchandise and tabletop industries, I was a leading journalist in India for 7+ years, writing on everything from the business of entertainment to entrepreneurship and education.”

GAMA Exploring MEWA GAMA recognizes that access to affordable health insurance is important to its members. GAMA is once again trying to provide a solution for our US-based members by exploring a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA). MEWAs enable smaller employers to join together and share in the overall claims risk to offer predictable rates and competitive benefits. As a non-profit, we are investigating the creation of our own group program.

As every small business has a unique set of circumstances to be considered when determining the best benefits option for their company. A census was conducted in October, and we received enough interest to move forward with the process.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

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Monthly Webinars Available on GAMA.org GAMA is providing monthly webinars on a variety of topics, and it’s all included in your membership!

Visit GAMA.org for more information or a schedule for the upcoming months.

Dragon Shield from Arcane Tinmen contains matte sleeves crafted by forge dragons with high quality and care. The winning color and artworks of the second annual Dragon Shield Player’s Choice Contest will be released November 17. dragonshield.com

QUEERZ! from Japanime Games is a super sentai roleplaying game where you fight intolerance and prejudice with love, empathy, strength, style and amazing superpowers! Play characters powered by their uniqueness; your passion is your power source. japanimegames.com

Kites – Time to Fly from Floodgate Games is a best-selling family game that makes an excellent gift! Learn to play in 30 seconds and enjoy the frantic fun of this real-time cooperative game.

MSRP: $19.95 SKU: FGG-KIT

The first line of All Game Terrain is a complete scenery system made for tabletop gaming. One convenient merchandiser has all the products needed. The merchandiser can convert to a pegboard or slatwall display. sales@allgameterrain.com

Legendary: What If…? from Upper Deck is based on the hit Disney+ animated series, “Marvel Studios’ What If...?” Explore parallel realities from around the multiverse and team up with heroes from beyond our world. upperdeckstore.com/legendary-what-if.html

More New Products on pages 28, 38, 39, 49, 74, 75 Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

85

GAMA news

2023 Horizons Fellows Announced The GAMA Horizons Fellowship is an eight-month accelerator for prospective and newly established tabletop game publishers and retail store owners. It was created by GAMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to help address the needs of communities that have been historically underrepresented in the tabletop industry.

The Fellowship connects participants with industry professionals who will serve as mentors and peer coaches and will provide access to grants and resources essential to developing and sustaining successful business relationships. GAMA is excited to announce the third cohort recently launched this month and will conclude at GAMA Expo in Louisville, KY, held from March 3-7, 2024.

Please welcome the 2023 GAMA Horizons Fellows!

Publishers • Emily Vincent, Pink Hawk Games • Coco Chen, Beaniverse International LLC • Cat Drayer, Drayer Ink LLC • Luis Alejandro, Martinez Flores, Allison Silverman, Lamf Games • Julie Chen, Hawberry Games • Kimberly Hughes, Golden Lasso Games • Pauline Kong, Marie Wong, Hot Banana Games Inc Retailers • Cullen Clancy, Prism Games Chicago • Anthony Vizzone, Slow Your Roll • Amy Covey, Dani Covey, Emerald Haven • Morgan Zeitler, Nicholas Zeitler, Lunar Landing Games • Jennifer Oven, Robyn Ranari, Benjamin Oven, Oddwillows Game Haven 86

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GAMA Speaker’s Bureau in Development The Speaker’s Bureau Target Media List is a project that the Market Expansion Committee has recently been working on. This list is for GAMA to be able to provide a curated list of experts from the tabletop industry to speak at media outlets. The list will contain people who have been nominated and/or approved by the Marketing Expansion Committee to speak on different subjects.

People on the Speakers Bureau List will be assigned to categories based on their experience, background, and skill set. They will be well-spoken, enthusiastic, and able to speak on a broad range of industry knowledge. The different categories are detailed below.

Education: Able to speak to topics in relation to games with Homeschooling, Teachers, Kids, Family, Austin Spectrum and more.

Scientific: Ability to speak about games from a scientific setting.

Diversity & Inclusion: Ability to speak on Diversity & Inclusion in the tabletop industry.

Publishing: Background in tabletop publishing and can share experience and perspective as a publisher.

Digital Platforms: With the emerging digital space for tabletop gaming, these speakers would be leaders on the platforms.

Crowdfunding: Many companies seek funding on multiple platforms, the business behind crowdfunding is changing constantly. Able to share experiences in best practices for crowdfunding.

Media & Events: This person can talk about industry events and marketing tools and successful campaigns.

Retailers: The retailer speakers would be able to speak from experience with running a store or currently in business.

Wholesaler: From the publisher to the retail store, the wholesaler is an essential part of the three-tier system. Having the ability to share about the market & industry, purchasing trends, logistics and more.

Support Services: Managing a crowdfunding campaign, building marketing assets, coordinating shipping logistics and connecting to a wholesaler, providing multiple services to companies to facilitate business is essential in tabletop. These people are able to speak on a variety of topics with expertise.

Production: Able to speak with expertise on producing games.

Creatives: Ability to speak on creating games.

The Marketing Expansion Committee is working on a form for members to submit recommendations or themselves for the Speaker’s Bureau. Thanks to Ross Thompson for leading the charge on developing the Speaker’s Bureau.

GAMA news

Now Accepting Exhibitor Registrations for

Origins Game Fair 2024!

Planning ahead for Origins 2024? Exhibitor applications are now being accepted! To streamline the booth application process for Origins 2024, we are using a new software platform called Map Your Show.

In addition to applying and paying for your booth on this platform, you will have the opportunity to purchase sponsorship and marketing (packages, coupon book page, game night tables, etc.) when those items are available, through the Sponsorship & Marketing Guide.

If you have already booked your booth - you should have received an email confirming your booth and payment, plus your login details for the Map Your Show site (username & password).

If you exhibited this year but haven’t booked your booth yet - you should have received an email with your unique booking code for your booth and a link to the registration site.

Remember - Voting Members of GAMA receive a discount on the Origins Booth Rate!

Registration & Final Payment Deadline is February 2, 2024.

If you have questions – please email Julie Yeager, our Exhibitor Manager at julie.yeager@gama.org.

Q4 2023 • AROUND THE table

87

INDEX OF advertisers

Fighter Weapons School Is In Session!

Airbattle RAG #6 brings 11 tournament-proven scenarios to

With jets ranging from the Cold War to the F-23A that lost the fly-off to the F-22 Raptor, Airbattle RAG #6 is ready to take off for your customers and push the envelope!

ADA 31806 - $38.95

November 2023

Company..................................... website

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9th Level Games................................... 9thlevel.com........................................... 24....................25 Ares Games SRL.................................... aresgames.eu........................................... 3................... FC Ad Astra Games..................................... adastragames.com.......................................................88 Arcane Tinmen...................................... arcanetinmen.com................................ 50....................51 Arcane Wonders................................... arcanewonders.com.....................................................29 Battlefront / Gale Force 9.................... gf9.com.................................................... 80....................81 Boogie Board eWriters........................ myboogieboard.com............................ 60....................61 Brotherwise Games, LLC..................... brotherwisegames.com....................... 32....................33 Cephalofair Games.............................. cephalofair.com..................................... 58....................59 Czech Games Edition.......................... czechgames.com................................... 42....................43 Fiat Lucre............................................... annapurnaboardgame.com........................................87 Fireside Games LLC.............................. firesidegames.com................................ 16....................17 Floodgate Games................................. floodgategames.com............................ 30....................31 Flying Frog Productions...................... flyingfrog.net.......................................... 44....................45 Free League Publishing....................... freeleaguepublishing.com........................................ IFC GoChuckle............................................. hastybaker.com...............................................................8 Grand Gamers Guild............................ grandgamersguild.com........................ 14....................15 Indie Game Studios............................. indieboardsandcards.com.................. 40....................41 Japanime Games................................. japanimegames.com............................ 26....................27 KTBG/Burnt Island Games................. kidstablebg.com.................................... 12....................13 Lightspeed Global Distribution......... lsghobby.com......................................... 18....................19 Magpie Games...................................... magpiegames.com............................... 48..............46-47 Mana Project Studio............................ manaprojectstudio.com...................... 52....................53 Mighty Boards....................................... mighty-boards.com.............................. 56....................57 Mind’s Vision.......................................... minds-vision.com.................................. 82....................83 Onyx Path Publishing.......................... theonyxpath.com.................................. 20....................21 Orange Nebula...................................... orangenebula.com................................ 10....................11 Paizo Inc................................................. paizo.com................................................ 36....................37 Peachstate Hobby Distribution LLC... phdgames.com...................................... 66....................67 Pegasus Spiele North America.......... pegasusna.com........................................ 9......................6 R. Talsorian Games, Inc....................... rtalsoriangames.com............................ 76....................77 Renegade Game Studios.................... renegadegames.com............................ 34....................35 Steve Jackson Games......................... sjgames.com.......................................... 89..................IBC The Army Painter.................................. thearmypainter.com............................. 54....................55 The Crafty Gamer................................. thecraftygamer.com.............................. 70....................71 Upper Deck............................................ upperdeck.com..................................... 90...................BC Van Ryder Games LLC.......................... vanrydergames.com............................. 68....................69 Vesuvius Media..................................... vesuviusmedia.com........................................................4 Vox Link Ltd........................................... business.voxlink.app............................ 78....................79 Woodland Scenics............................... woodlandscenics.com......................... 64....................65 York-Jersey Underwriters................... york-jersey.com..................................... 72....................73

To advertise, contact Amy Colburn at 315-789-6431 or amy@fwpi.com

Issue

AROUND THE

www.adastragames.com Available through Distribution or Direct 88

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® A Publication by the Game Manufacturers Association

2024

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Deadline Dec. 29 Apr. 12 Jul. 12 Sep. 27

Mailing Date

Feb. 2 May 17 Aug. 16 Nov. 1

The Road to Pathfinder Revolution!

Two Legendary Companies Work Together To Revitalize A Fan Favorite

by Katie Duffy, Marketing Manager, Steve Jackson Games

S

teve Jackson Games introduced the first version of Revolution! to tabletops in 2009. The game is one of political scheming – the object is to gain influence over a fictional city using gold, blackmail and force as leverage. The original setting and characters were generic, which allowed players to construct their own narrative around the game if they wished.

But when it came time to release a new version of Revolution!, Steve Jackson Games wanted to try something new. The company reached out to Paizo, the company known for the Pathfinder tabletop roleplaying game, to inquire about collaborating on a new version of Revolution! This new project gave both teams the opportunity to take their partnership to the next level.

Bringing Revolution! to Golarion The official setting for Pathfinder is Golarion, a planet that is home to numerous continents, cultures and cities.

Among these is Korvosa, the largest city in a region called Varisia. Korvosa’s rulers sit upon the Crimson Throne, but they are beset with a curse – no one who rules the city dies of old age. These and other themes are explored in an Adventure Path titled Curse of the Crimson Throne, which was first published in 2008.

The themes surrounding Korvosa, its monarchy and Curse of the Crimson Throne made it a natural fit for a game like Revolution! But developers from Steve Jackson Games were faced with a

sjgames.com

challenge. Tabletop roleplaying games are driven by a narrative structure, while boardgames are primarily driven by turn-based mechanics. Was it possible to rework Revolution! into a game that was backed by a compelling story, but not driven by it?

Fortunately, Korvosa’s colorful lore was the perfect vehicle for a game based on themes of revolution and subterfuge.

The bidding locations from the original version of Revolution! had analogs in Korvosa, which meant that the Steve Jackson development team could update the locations without confusing fans or significantly changing the original game mechanics.

Similarly, the game’s bid board could be reworked to replace the influential citizens of Revolution! with characters and groups that play a part in the Curse of

the Crimson Throne. The final result was Pathfinder Revolution!, a game that was true to its roots and broadly accessible while offering fans of the Pathfinder universe a new way to experience Golarion.

A Successful Partnership Pathfinder Revolution! is a testament to the power of collaboration within the gaming industry. Working together, Steve Jackson Games and Paizo created a boardgame that appeals to a broad range of players thanks to its unique mechanics, setting and gameplay style. By introducing Revolution! – and Korvosa – to a new generation of players, Steve Jackson Games, Paizo and fans of both companies will benefit from a partnership that aims to create a compelling tabletop experience.

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89

Follow Us, and Dare to Face a Brand-New, Unknown Core Set –

Legendary: What If…?

by Jade Sigmund, Marketing Coordinator of Entertainment Products, Upper Deck

W

elcome to our long-awaited new core set: Legendary: What If…?

This set is based on the hit Disney+ animated series “Marvel Studios’ What If...?,” which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and inspired by the classic Marvel What If...? comic series.

This 350-card set includes brand-new content and contains everything you need to play the game. Fight against four new Masterminds, four new Schemes, five new Villain groups, and three new Henchmen groups using eight new Heroes and five new Special Bystanders! You will explore parallel realities and significant moments around the Multiverse from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This thematic new core set captures Uatu the Watcher’s view of the horrifying turning points in parallel dimensions.

Everything comes to a head when Ultron gains all six Infinity Stones, conquers his Earth, and attempts to invade the entire Multiverse. The Watcher breaks his oath not to interfere, gathering heroes from alternate dimensions: Peggy Carter who took the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers, T’Challa who was kidnapped from Earth to become Star90

AROUND THE table • Q4 2023

Lord instead of becoming Black Panther, Doctor Strange who dangerously stole the souls of demons to resurrect his lost love, and more. Now, you can team up with heroes to undergo a journey far beyond the limits of this world!

For anyone who hasn’t experienced our deckbuilding game Legendary, the game itself fights back against you, with a different dark mastermind pursuing a different evil scheme. Only you can stop them by recruiting heroes, fighting villains and eventually challenging the mastermind themself. For our experienced Legendary players, the game system has some key updates in Legendary: What If…? We’ve updated the rules for Solo Mode as well as games with larger player counts. These changes should improve the feel and flow of games. There also is now a “Starting HQ Mulligan” if multiple cards in the starting HQ cost seven or more, making early game recruiting more accessible.

We’re introducing new Keyword Abilities in Legendary: What If…? First, we have the namely What If…? keyword.

This highlights how a Hero’s destiny can pivot on a single crucial choice, with

consequences that spill through the rest of that dimension. Players will guess the class or hero name of the card on top of their deck, and if they’re correct, they will get the abilities on the card with the What If…? keyword. Additional new keywords include Soulbind and Liberate. Soulbind incorporates defeated villains your victory pile to set off effects. Liberate adds more attack only against villains holding bystanders or the mastermind. With these new abilities on your team, you’ll be able to take down the new masterminds such as Zombie Wanda and Ultron Infinity!

If you or a friend has considered exploring the expansive Legendary family, Legendary: What If…? is a perfect starting point. Long-time players also won’t want to miss 350 cards of all-new content. This core set is 100 percent compatible with all Legendary expansions, and fits especially well with other sets from the MCU, such as Legendary: Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy and Legendary: Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga. …? Team up with heroes from beyond our world and save the Multiverse, available now at local hobby shops and at upperdeckstore.com! upperdeck.com

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