(or here’s a list of what launched yesterday that might deserve a closer look)

Project:  Ark Worlds: Moba Card Game

Designer:  Orion McClelland (Kepler Run, Salt)

Artists:  EJ Dela Cruz (Guildhall Fantasy: Alliance, Guildhall Fantasy: Alliance, Seafall), Orion McClelland (Kepler Run, Salt)

Publisher:  Unpossible Game Labs (Kepler Run, Salt)

Genre/Mechanisms:  2 player, action points, card drafting, card game, MOBA, secret unit deployment, variable player powers

Player Count:  2

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “A 2-player skirmish inspired by MOBAs and hero based team shooters.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $30

All-In (w/ free shipping):  $75, includes extras

Campaign Ends:  3/19

Game Ships:  July 2020

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 406%, with 28 days to go.

Project:  Batman: The Animated Series Adventures

Designers:  Pete Walsh (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: Change is Constant, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: City Fall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: Secret History of the Foot Clan), Kevin Wilson (Arkham Horror, Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, Cosmic Encounter, Descent: Journeys in the Dark, Descent: Journeys in the Dark 2nd Edition, Doom: The Board Game, Elder Sign, Fury of Dracula 2nd Edition, Fury of Dracula 3rd/4th Edition, A Game of Thrones, Sid Meier’s Civilization: The Board Game, Wiz-War 8th Edition)

Artists:  Dario Brizuela (Batman: The Animated Series – Rogues Gallery), Jose David Lanza Cebrian (Hellboy: The Board Game, Rum & Bones: Second Tide, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past), Chris Fenoglio (Batman: The Animated Series – Rogues Gallery), Jay Fotos (Munchkin Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ninja Pizza Party), Jack Lawrence (Batman: The Animated Series – Rogues Gallery), Ben Misenar (Monsterpocalypse, Rail Raiders Infinite), Questron Studio, Alain Viesca (Clank! Expeditions: Temple of the Ape Lords, Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated, Clank! In! Space!: Cyber Station 11)

Publisher:  IDW Games (Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga, The Game, Machi Koro, Tammany Hall, Torres, Yedo)

Genre/Mechanisms:  cooperative game, die icon resolution, miniatures, solo/solitaire game, variable player powers

Player Count:  1-5

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-heavy

Risk:  medium-low

Summary:  “Running off IDW Games’ miniatures-driven ‘Adventures Universal Game System’ (AUGS) engine, Batman: The Animated Series Adventures – Shadow of the Bat allows players to take the role of any hero in their roster in the game’s 24 unique missions, which are all inspired by fan-favorite episodes. Even villains can be swapped out in every mission to change up the threats that players will face.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $145

All-In (w/shipping):  $263, includes other games

Campaign Ends:  3/12

Game Ships:  Dec. 2020

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 226%, with 22 days to go.

Project:  Dragoon: The Might and Magma Expansion

Designers:  Jake Given (Dragoon, Human Era, Life Siphon), Zach Given (Dragoon, Human Era, Life Siphon)

Artist:  Nick Nazzaro (Dragoon, Human Era, Life Siphon)

Publisher:  Lay Waste Games (Dragoon, Human Era, Life Siphon)

Genre/Mechanisms:  action points, area majority/influence, area movement, dice rolling, fighting, grid movement, hand management, tile placement

Player Count:  2-6

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  light

Risk:  medium-high

Summary:  “Dragoon is an action strategy game with an ever-changing landscape. Village and city tiles populate the map each round using a coordinate system. During your turn, choose between claiming villages and cities that pay you tribute, or destroying them out right for instant gold.  In the new Might and Magma expansion, exploit the folly of humans that brought about the destruction of the surface and the disturbance of an ancient power that had lain dormant until now.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $30

All-In (w/shipping):  $1010, includes hand-crafted extras

Campaign Ends:  3/12

Game Ships:  Jan. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 639%, with 21 days to go.

Project:  Feudal Endeavor

Designer:  Andrew Zimdahl

Artists:  Alyssa Fernandez, Jared Sanford (Into the Black: Boarding Party)

Publisher:  I Will Never Grow Up (Into the Black: Boarding Party)

Genre/Mechanisms:  auction/bidding, economic, grid coverage, set collection, simultaneous action selection

Player Count:  2-6

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  A simultaneous bidding auction game where “players take on the roles of the lords and ladies of the noble families in 18th Century Imperial Russia, competing against their neighbors to earn prestige and the favor of the Empress, Catherine the Great.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $45

All-In (w/shipping):  $57

Campaign Ends:  3/19

Game Ships:  Mar. 2021

Funding Status: Currently at 23%, with 29 days to go.

Project:  Gladius

Designers:  Alexander Uboldi, Victoria Cana

Artist:  Cheryl Young

Publisher:  Cat Quartet Games

Genre/Mechanisms:  betting & bluffing, bluffing, card game, deduction, hand management, variable player powers

Player Count:  2-5

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “In Gladius, play as cunning Roman spectators trying to make the most money by betting on gladiators competing in the gladiatorial games. Through the skillful use of underhanded tactics, players can help and hinder teams to alter the outcome of each battle.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $30

All-In (w/shipping):  $520, includes vanity rewards & hand-crafted extras

Campaign Ends:  3/20

Game Ships:  Feb. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 265%, with 28 days to go.

Project:  Gruff: Whispers of Madness

Designer:  Brent Critchfield (Gruff, Gruff: Clash of the Battle Goats: Gruff: Rage of the Trolls)

Artists:  Avery Coleman (Gruff, Gruff: Clash of the Battle Goats), Virginia Critchfield (Burgle Bros., Gruff, Gruff: Clash of the Battle Goats)

Publisher:  Studio Woe (Gruff, Gruff: Clash of the Battle Goats: Gruff: Rage of the Trolls)

Genre/Mechanisms:  campaign/battle card driven, card game, fighting, variable player powers

Player Count:  2-4

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “A tactical ‘Expandable Card Game’ about mutated monster goats. Players create a customized team of monster goats called Gruffs led by a shepherd, and win the game by crushing through the enemy line of gruffs and killing the opposing shepherd.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $37

All-In (w/shipping):  $157

Campaign Ends:  3/5

Game Ships:  Jan. 2021

Funding Status: Currently at 74%, with 15 days to go.

Project:  Reach & Okazaki

Designer:  Patrick Engro (Melody Station, Okazaki, Reach)

Artist:  Masayoshi Ninomiya (Melody Station, Okazaki, Reach)

Publisher:  Engro Games (Melody Station, Okazaki, Reach)

Genre/Mechanisms:  2 players, abstract strategy, card drafting, card game, hand management, trick-taking (Okazaki); 2 players, action/dexterity, card game, communication limited, cooperative game, simulation, three dimensional movement, variable player powers (Reach)

Player Count:  2

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “Two very unique 18 card micro-games for 2 players, packaged into limited edition custom designed & hand-crafted button-string envelopes.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $18, one game

All-In (w/shipping):  $32, both games

Campaign Ends:  3/10

Game Ships:  July 2020

Funding Status: Currently at 57%, with 19 days to go.

Project:  The Red Dragon Inn: Allies – Evil Pooky

Designers:  Jennifer Kitzman (The Red Dragon Inn 7: The Tavern Crew Collectors Edition), Jeff Morrow (The Red Dragon Inn 3, The Red Dragon Inn 4, The Red Dragon Inn 5), Sam Waller (The Red Dragon Inn: Battle for Greyport, The Red Dragon Inn 4, The Red Dragon Inn 5), Erin Wong (The Red Dragon Inn: Allies – Ohava vs. Murgath)

Artists:  Rose Besch (The Red Dragon Inn 2, The Red Dragon Inn 3, Super Dungeon Explore), Megan Langan (The Red Dragon Inn Smorgasbox), Erin Wong (The Red Dragon Inn: Battle for Greyport, The Red Dragon Inn 5, The Red Dragon Inn 6: Villains)

Publisher:  SlugFest Games (The Red Dragon Inn, The Red Dragon Inn 2, The Red Dragon Inn 3)

Genre/Mechanisms:  betting and bluffing, card game, hand management, party game, player elimination, variable player powers

Player Count:  2-4

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  light

Risk:  medium-high

Summary:  “The Red Dragon Inn is a game for 2 or more players with each player taking on the role of a heroic adventurer (or sometimes a dastardly villain) in a wild free-for-all party at a fantasy tavern. Brawl, drink and gamble the night away to prove your mettle and be the last player standing at the end of an evening of bad decision making.  Evil Pooky is the 50th character in the long-running series.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $25

All-In (w/shipping):  $1,150, includes vanity rewards

Campaign Ends:  3/10

Game Ships:  Dec. 2020

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 584%, with 19 days to go.

Project:  Rival Restaraunts: Back For Seconds

Designers:  Gary Alaka (Rival Restaurants), Rob Chew (Rival Restaurants), Jon Kang (Rival Restaurants)

Artist:  Audrey Jung (Rival Restaurants)

Publisher:  Gap Closer Games (Rival Restaurants)

Genre/Mechanisms:  auction/bidding, events, set collection, simultaneous action selection

Player Count:  2-6

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “Rival Restaurants is the competitive restaurant owning game where food meets fun. Rival Restaurants’s first-ever expansion, Back For Seconds, includes 8 new chefs, 6 additional restaurants, 9 new action cards, and an Event Deck.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $25

All-In (w/shipping):  $154, includes base game & extras

Campaign Ends:  3/17

Game Ships:  Nov. 2020

Funding Status: Currently at 33%, with 26 days to go.

Project:  Scattered Nexus

Designer:  Eli Beaird

Artists:  Eli Beaird, James Burton, Jason Dube, Timothy James, Melissa McCommon, Rustin Patrae, Evan Quiring, Mark Ried, Noel Serrato, Maxwell Shepard, Brian Stewart

Publisher:  Eli Beaird

Genre/Mechanisms:  action points, card drafting, card game, cooperative game, fighting, simultaneous card selection

Player Count:  1-4

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  HIGH

Summary:  “A battle style card game based on indie comics. Players use action points to play cards from their hand, and attack opponents until they are defeated. Includes co-op and competitive modes.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $30

All-In (w/shipping):  $260

Campaign Ends:  3/19

Game Ships:  Aug. 2020

Funding Status: Currently at 9%, with 28 days to go.

Project:  Testament

Designer:  Yasushi ‘Kuro’ Kuroda (The Ravens of Thri Sahashri, Rent a Hero, Unicornus Knights)

Artists:  various (include 34 different artists)

Publisher:  Japanime Games (Heart of Crown, Krosmaster: Arena, Tanto Cuore)

Genre/Mechanisms:  cooperative game, dice rolling, role playing, variable player powers

Player Count:  1-4

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-heavy

Risk:  medium-high

Summary:  “A Final Fantasy-inspired cooperative monster-battle card game modeled after the typical ‘MMORPG trinity’ of tank, healer, and damage dealer.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $64

All-In (w/shipping):  $89

Campaign Ends:  3/5

Game Ships:  Sep. 2020

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 112%, with 14 days to go.

Project:  Universal Rule: Singularity and Solo AI

Designer:  Chip Beauvais (Chroma Cubes, Smoke & Mirrors, Universal Rule)

Artist:  Sara Beauvais (Liberation, Smoke & Mirrors, Universal Rule)

Publisher:  Button Shy Games (Circle the Wagons, Sprawlopolis, Tussie Mussie)

Genre/Mechanisms:  4x, card game, hand management, space exploration

Player Count:  3-5

Solo Mode:  no

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  medium-low

Summary:  “In Universal Rule, players battle for control of the universe in a pocket-sized 4X style game. Singularity is a new 18-card set that brings forward a few new themes. It can be played standalone, or combined with Universal Rule and/or Universal Rule: Second Wave. Solo AI is a 5-card AI opponent with varying difficulties that can be played with any combination of the Universal Rule games.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $14

All-In (w/shipping):  $60, includes multiple games

Campaign Ends:  2/29

Game Ships:  May 2020

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 369%, with 9 days to go.