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

Project: Barbarians at the Gates

Designer: Kris Van Beurden (Europe in Turmoil: Prelude to the Great War, Nine Years: The War of the Grand Alliance 1688-1697)

Artist: Shayne Logan (Armageddon War: Platoon Level Combat in the End War, Old School Tactical: Volume 1 – Fighting on the Eastern Front 1941/42, Old School Tactical: Volume 2 – West Front 1944/45)

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

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 player only games, ancient, campaign / battle card driven, wargame

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A card-driven game for two players set during the final century of the Western Roman Empire. The Roman player commands the Roman legions loyal to the failing central authority and those Germanic peoples who have settled peacefully inside the Roman Empire, while the Barbarian player leads Usurper Emperors, and controls the migrations of the savage Germanic peoples, who are the Barbarians at the Gates. The game is played on a point-to-point map of the Western Roman Empire, divided into 11 diocese (administrative districts) such as Gallia Belgica, Caledonia or Italia Suburbicaria, each composed of spaces such as Roma, Massilia or Nova Carthago. These spaces are connected to each other through the network of Roman roads, rougher connections (mostly in uncivilized territory) or river connections (mostly the Donau and the Rhine). Players take turns playing cards in order to activate Generals (Loyalist Roman generals such as Aetius, Usurper Emperors like Magnentius, and Barbarian leaders such as Atilla or Alaric) for movement and/or sieges, bring new Barbarian invasions into play, recruit new Legions, lead barbarian bands in raids across the border into the Roman interior, settle formerly hostile tribes on Roman soil, or even successfully usurp the Imperial Throne from its previous occupant. As leaders move, they will encounter enemy armies and battle, earning eternal glory or an unrecognized grave. Barbarian tribes will probe the fortified border for weaknesses, while the outnumbered Legions have to use interior lines (and the excellent Roman road network) to face each threat to the unfortified Italian, Iberian and Gallic diocese.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $90

All-In (w/shipping): $198, also includes Paper Wars 95: Hannibal and Cradle of Civilization

Campaign Ends: 3/26

Game Ships: May 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 259% with 11 days to go.

Project: Football Fortunes

Designers: Brian Clough, Marty Neill

Artist: Joe Merriman

Publisher: Marty Neill

Genre/Mechanisms: action / event, auction: sealed bid, closed economy auction, dice rolling, roll / spin and move, simulation

Player Count: 2-6

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “Football Fortunes is a board game that allows you to manage your club, playing squad, finances and tactics against your friends and also computer controlled teams while the companion apps take care of the fixtures, league tables, points earned, chance cards and more. In the game you’ll encounter all of the ups and downs of football management. React to various crises. Stave off bankruptcy. Sign the best players from the current Premier League crop of superstars. Out-think your opponents tactically. Improve your coach and youth team to become world beaters. The skillset required to succeed will be varied and the hurdles challenging, just like they are in the real world. Can you conquer the Football Fortunes league and cups before storming the giants of European football?”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $58

All-In (w/shipping): $58, same as above

Campaign Ends: 4/10

Game Ships: May 2022

Funding Status: Currently at 15% with 26 days to go.

Project: Hoops! Basketball League Tabletop Game

Designer: Romino Poul

Artists: Adrián Coral, Maximilian Gotthold, Vlado Trtic

Publisher: Dozens of Us Games

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, dice rolling, income, ownership, sports

Player Count: 2-5

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A dynasty building card game where 2-5 new team owners compete to win the inaugural and coveted Hoops! Championship Trophy. Owners will spend their weeks preparing for their upcoming games by bolstering their roster, improving their stadiums, raising funds, getting in some last minute training, or seeking to sabotage their rivals. Games will occur at the end of each week where owners will roll die to discover just how well their players performed against their foes. Calculate the scores and determine a winner. The first franchise with seven wins will be declared champion.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $37

All-In (w/shipping): $520, includes vanity rewards & extras

Campaign Ends: 4/10

Game Ships: Nov. 2022

Funding Status: Currently at 37% with 26 days to go.