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

Project: Fighters of the Pacific

Designers: Didier Dincher (Fleet Commander: 1 – Ignition, Speakeasy), Frank Garibaldi

Artists: Alexandre Bonvalot (Heroes of Normandie, Shadows Over Normandie: Achtung! Cthulhu, Warhammer 40,000: Heroes of Black Reach), Antoine Schindler (Fleet Commander: 1 – Ignition)

Publisher: Capsicum Games (Fleet Commander: 1 – Ignition, Kodama: The Tree Spirits, Siggil)

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 players, aviation/flight, grid movement, hexagon grid, modular board, movement points, moving multiple units, simulation, wargame, world war II

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A tactical boardgame of air battles in the Pacific during WW2. Dominate the sky and destroy enemy aircraft and carriers. Relive the fury of air and sea combat in the Pacific during World War II. Direct each plane in multiple fighter and bomber squadrons to lead attacks on the enemy’s carriers and island bases. No dice, no rulers, only dozens of planes and ships! A fast-paced and streamlined game mechanic that plunges you in the heart of the battle. Move each plane individually on a hex grid. When you maneuver to get an enemy plane in your sights, it must try to dodge or else take damage. Some planes can use torpedoes and bombs do destroy ships and ground installations. Stay in formation to keep the initiative and dominate your opponent. Each plane has its own attributes in terms of speed, armor, and special abilities.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $79

All-In (w/shipping): $122

Campaign Ends: 6/25

Game Ships: Feb. 2022

Funding Status: Currently at 84% with 28 days to go.

Project: School of Sorcery: Pet Pack

Designer: Steve Finn (Biblios, Herbaceous, Sunset Over Water)

Artist: Lawrence van der Merwe (Biblios Dice, Cosmic Run, Cosmic Run: Regeneration)

Publisher: Dr. Finn’s Games (Biblios, Herbaceous, Sunset Over Water)

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 players, area majority/influence, dice, dice rolling, expansion

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “The School of Sorcery Pet Pack includes 1 instruction card, 3 pet cards, and 5 new sorcery cards. The pet cards introduce a new mechanic into the game, while the 5 new sorcery cards introduce new powers to the normal game. School of Sorcery is a re-implementation and revision of The Institute for Magical Arts. The game contains many of the same game mechanisms, but with a number of new rules changes. Some of the components have also been upgraded and the card powers have almost all changed. It also introduces a number of new cards with a variety of powers. Collect powerful magical items and build friendships to build your reputation at the School of Sorcery.

School of Sorcery is a two-player dice and area control game in which players use dice rolls to place “crystals” onto different cards in an attempt to win those cards. Once won, cards offer either special powers or victory points or both.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $6, Pet Pack expansion only

All-In (w/shipping): $25

Campaign Ends: 6/8

Game Ships: Aug. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 183% with 11 days to go.