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

Project:  DIE in the Dungeon!

Designer:  Wesley Woodbury

Artist:  Tristam Rossin (3 Laws of Robotics, Rune, Tranquility)

Publisher:  FunDaMental Games

Genre/Mechanisms:  dice rolling, solo/solitaire game

Player Count:  1-2

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-light

Risk:  medium-high

Summary:  “In this Solo, dice-loaded, fantasy tabletop boardgame you will take on the role of a powerful dungeon monster. Your goal is to explore the various dungeons below DieCity, defeating the pesky and irritating heroes that are trying to thwart the DieMaster, the evil wizard who summoned you here. Once you have defeated the Epic Heroes in each of the Dungeons, you may return to the realm from whence you came.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $53

All-In (w/shipping):  $217, includes extras & other games

Campaign Ends:  6/23

Game Ships:  Jan. 2021

Funding Status: Currently at 85%, with 15 days to go.

Project:  Merchants of the Dark Road

Designer:  Brian Suhre (Coldwater Crown, Freshwater Fly, Paradox)

Artists:  Andrew Bosley (Blood Bowl: Team Manager – The Card Game, Citadels, Everdell, Mission: Red Planet Second Edition, Tapestry), Matt Paquette (Call to Adventure, Mystic Vale, Thunderstone Quest, Tiny Towns)

Publisher:  Elf Creek Games (Atlantis Rising Second Edition, Honey Buzz, End of the Trail)

Genre/Mechanisms:  dice, exploration, rondel, worker placement with dice workers

Player Count:  1-4

Solo Mode:  yes

Complexity:  medium-heavy

Risk:  medium-high

Summary:  “In Merchants of the Dark Road, you are one of these brave few merchants that travel the dangerous paths between cities. Discover the capital city where most of your actions will take place using a rondel action system. Collect and produce items to add to your caravan, or sell these items to local heroes and hire them to travel with you. Manipulate the market price of items, visit the back alley sellers, or delve a nearby dungeon for magical items to gain the potential for even more coin and notoriety. Gather lanterns to ease your passage along the dark roads as you guide your caravan to distant villages. Deliver goods and heroes to the best destinations and gain fame for your bravery. Balance the money you earn with the height of your fame because your final score after a number of game rounds will reflect the lowest of these two values.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping):  $56

All-In (w/shipping):  $132

Campaign Ends:  6/26

Game Ships:  Jan. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 395%, with 22 days to go.