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

Project: Defending America

Designer: Gregory M. Smith (The Hunters: German U-Boats at War, 1939-43; Nightfighter Ace: Air Defense Over Germany, 1943-44;Silent Victory: U.S. Submarines in the Pacific, 1941-45)

Artist: Bruce Yearian (Amerika Bomber: Evil Queen of the Skies, Blue Water Navy: The War at Sea, The Russian Campaign)

Publisher: Compass Games (Crusade and Revolution: The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939; Enemy Action: Ardennes; The Russian Campaign)

Genre/Mechanisms: dice rolling, solitaire only wargames, wargame

Player Count: 1

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A solitaire, tactical level game which places you in command of an actual or experimental interceptor aircraft during a frightening look at what might have been in World War II. Each turn consists of one sortie, during which the player will fly a mission to intercept Amerika Bombers which are en route to bomb the mainland of the United States. As the player progresses, he may choose to upgrade to even more advanced interceptors in this alternate history game. It builds a strong narrative around the pilot as you look to earn skills, rise in rank through promotion, receive awards and survive a dangerous year above the Atlantic Ocean and America. While Defending Amerika is designed as a solitaire gaming experience, additional options for play are provided for both multi-player cooperative and competitive gaming sessions, and an option to link the game with Amerika Bomber: Evil Queen of the Skies.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $69

All-In (w/shipping): $95

Campaign Ends: 7/24

Game Ships: Sep. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 248% with 10 days to go.

Project: Ryder

Designer: Curtis Humphreys

Artist: Haydan O’Callaghan

Publisher: Urbantek

Genre/Mechanisms: action/dexterity, action/event, card game, card play conflict resolution, deck construction, deduction, fighting, hand management, medieval, memory, move through deck

Player Count: 2-8

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A game where luck is cast aside in honor of memory, strategy and, after some time, skill. Set in the time of knights & wizards. Battle your friends to earn the most gold for your treasury before the reserve runs out.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $24

All-In (w/shipping): $35

Campaign Ends: 8/11

Game Ships: Dec. 2021

Funding Status: Currently at 77% with 28 days to go.

Project: Winged Victory – Among the Clouds Above

Designer: Carlos Amaddeo (Legend: History of 1000 Miglia, We Were Brothers)

Artist: Carlos Amaddeo (Legend: History of 1000 Miglia, Triad, We Were Brothers)

Publisher: WBS Games (Legend: History of 1000 Miglia, Triad, We Were Brothers)

Genre/Mechanisms: action points, aviation/flight, dice rolling, hexagon grid, modular board, role playing, simulation, wargame, world war I

Player Count: 1-8

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “Second, improved edition of the acclaimed wargame of WWI aerial warfare. Winged Victory – Among the Clouds Above is a simulation about WWI aerial warfare featuring a side-view of the action. It focuses on planes’ energy management to achieve aerial victories and ultimately survive. It comes with solo and multiplayer scenarios as well as an immersive and dramatic campaign as a WWI flyer on one of the three available fronts: Western, Italian and Channel.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $48

All-In (w/shipping): $83

Campaign Ends: 8/2

Game Ships: Oct. 2021

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 124% with 20 days to go.