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

Project: Bardwood Grove

Designer: Carl Van Ostrand (Kapow!, Merchants Cove, Ophidian 2350 CCG)

Artist: Mihajlo Dimitrievski (Architects of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Raiders of the North Sea, Valeria: Card Kingdoms, Viscounts of the West Kingdom)

Publisher: Final Frontier Games (Coloma, Merchants Cove, Rise to Nobility)

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, deck building, end game bonuses, fantasy, movement points, solo/solitaire game, tableau building, variable player powers

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A tableau-composition euro game where each player assumes the role of a fantastical Bard. Set in The Five Realms universe (Merchants Cove, Rise to Nobility, Cavern Tavern), players adventure to the Halfling Realm, the home to the finest, highly-talented, and most-legendary Bards of all the land. As Bards, players will manage a unique tempo dial mechanism to build temporary Song tableaus from your deck, while exploring and activating locations around the lush woodland city. Each Bard starts with asymmetric skill decks that match their style, such as the Bardbarian, Sword Dancer, and Wardrummer. Learn new Bardic skills, tell tales and perform gigs, soothe the dissonant creatures invading the Grove, and contend with other Bards for the most Glory and Fame. Once all Glory has been collected, the Bard with the most combined Glory and Fame wins. Each turn, players draw two cards from their unique skill deck, play one to their Story (discard pile) for instant benefits, and add the other to their Song (tableau). Bardwood Grove challenges players to carefully craft their Song tableaus, coordinating them with their Composition cycle that governs how frequently they sing. As players strategically use resources to upgrade their decks, Songs will release powerful combos and allow players to interact with multiple locations. This creates a unique ebb and flow to the game, as players build their songs, and then decide when and where to sing them. As the game is played and decisions are made, players will unlock content and evolve the game naturally. An achievement system tied to the choices and performances of each game will guide players through a series of unlockable content. As new content emerges through each play, the game will provide players with new content that is based on unique outcomes and player decisions. Grove locations will change, additional Bardic skills can be unlocked, Bard decks become more powerful, new Bards arrive in town, and a variety of characters both good and bad can enter the game.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $71

All-In (w/shipping): $128

Campaign Ends: 11/4

Game Ships: Aug. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 370% with 20 days to go.

Project: Hysteria

Designers: Ryan Kelems, Cory Muddiman

Artists: Vanessa Morales

Publisher: Brouhaha Games (Pumpkin Patch: Bad Seeds)

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, deduction, roles with asymmetric information, team-based game

Player Count: 6-9

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A quick, rules-light social deduction game with a Dia de los Muertos theme. Players may actively switch teams during the game. This allows people who don’t like being deceptive a chance to choose a different team. Second, every player has to rely on information that has been filtered through other players’ memory and intention. Is someone suspicious or just forgetful? Hysteria is played with a small row of cards face down in front of each player. The game has three rounds each played in two separate phases: The Information Phase and the Capture Phase. During the Information Phase, players get new cards, pass cards, and share information honestly or deceptively. During the Capture Phase, players attempt to convince others of what they have seen. The game ends after three rounds.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $25

All-In (w/shipping): $31

Campaign Ends: 11/3

Game Ships: Aug. 2022

Funding Status: Currently at 40% with 20 days to go.

Project: Telepatio

Designer: Hein Espen Hattestad

Artist: Anna Maksimenko

Publisher: Gamepire Studio

Genre/Mechanisms: action timer, party game, real-time, simultaneous action selection, track movement

Player Count: 3-6

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “Telepatio is turn-based and played over 24 rounds, or until the first player reaches 17 or -11 ESP points. You score ESP points by successfully sending or receiving the correct telepathic signals. Every round a player assumes the role of a ‘Sender’. The Sender rolls the Zener dice with the dice cup and views the result in secrecy. The Sender then flips over the hourglass, and must try to telepathically communicate the right Zener symbol to the other players. No words or visual cues of any kind are allowed, you must rely on the power of your mind. By the time the hourglass runs out all other players, known as ‘Recipients’, must have chosen a Zener card with the symbol they believe is being telepathically sent to them. The Sender then reveals their dice roll and Recipients reveal their cards. Was the Sender successful in communicating the Zener symbol? Did the Recipients read Sender’s mind, or did they score by simple guesswork? If a Recipient chooses the wrong card, the Recipient moves one step back. The Sender moves as many steps forward as the number of correct matches from the Recipients, plus two extra steps. If the Sender does not match up with any of the Recipients, the Sender stays put.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $53

All-In (w/shipping): $53, same as above

Campaign Ends: 11/12

Game Ships: May 2022

Funding Status: Currently at 13% with 28 days to go.