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

Project: Encyclopedia

Designers: Eric Dubus (Dominations: Road to Civilization, Museum, Museum: Pictura), Olivier Melison (Dominations: Road to Civilization, Museum, Museum: Pictura)

Artists: Joëlle Drans (Caesar’s Empire, Museum: Pictura, Rallyman: DIRT), Ronan Toulhoat (The Court of Miracles)

Publisher: Holy Grail Games (Dominations: Road to Civilization, Museum, Rallyman: GT)

Genre/Mechanisms: animals, exploration, set collection, worker placement

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “A dice-based worker placement game. At the beginning of each round, you’ll be drawing and rolling dice, then placing them on your player board. These dice can then be used to perform an action each turn, depending on their color and value. Your action can be preparing your expeditions by going to the Embassy, visiting the Bank to raise funds, or hiring your research team at the University. Once you’re ready to go, you’ll choose the Animal cards you wish to study, then organize expeditions to observe them in their natural habitats. When your research is complete, you’ll then be able to publish your findings in an attempt to become the biggest contributor to Buffon’s Encyclopedia. Every publication you make will earn you Victory points, and at the end of the game, you’ll score points based on collections of Animals and research amassed during play. The naturalist with the most points wins.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $54

All-In (w/shipping): $102

Campaign Ends: 4/14

Game Ships: Sep. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 594% with 19 days to go.