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

Project: The Big Shuffle

Designers: James Ellerby, Evan Hitchings, Kenneth Oum

Artists: Issaca, Milkqui, Kenneth Oum, Peggy Shu, Henderson Yan

Publisher: Previously Pluto

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, interrupts, move through deck, movie/tv/radio theme, negotiation, role playing, take that, variable player powers

Player Count: 2-4

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A film noir card game where you make your way in an uncaring city. Play a classic noir character trying to set up the perfect scene for their agenda. Everyone receives a different set of win conditions, and must stop the other players from completing theirs with scene cards. Full of role-playing opportunities, The Big Shuffle pairs well with a cigar, whiskey, and smooth jazz.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $35

All-In (w/shipping): $310, includes vanity rewards

Campaign Ends: 1/9

Game Ships: Aug. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 150% with 26 days to go.

Project: Shikoku 1889

Designer: Yasutaka Ikeda (Owner’s Choice, Shadow Hunters, Shikoku 1889)

Artists: Karim Chakroun (Alien Frontiers, Hammer of the Scots, Shikoku 1889), Erik Frobom

Publisher: Grand Trunk Games (1861/1867 Railways of Russia/Canada, 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire, Shikoku 1889)

Genre/Mechanisms: 18xx, auction/bidding, economic, market, netowrk and route building, ownership, stock holding, tile placement, trains, transportation, victory points as a resource

Player Count: 2-6

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: heavy

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “An 18xx game set in Shikoku Japan. The rules are similar to 1830: Railways & Robber Barons, on a smaller and terrain-heavy map. Players use money to purchase shares in railroad companies during Share Dealing Rounds. Between subsequent Share Dealing Rounds, railroad corporations then conduct operations on the game board, with the decisions being made by the player who is the major share holder. The game simulates the progression of railroad development during an historic period on Shikoku. Old trains become obsolete while the revenue earnings from cities grows over time. Players try to purchase the most profitable shares at the right times of the game to maximize earnings in dividends and stock value gains. In the end, the player with the highest value of personal cash and held stocks is the winner.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $70

All-In (w/shipping): $70, same as above

Campaign Ends: 1/1

Game Ships: Sep. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 349% with 18 days to go.