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

Project: KeyForge: Winds of Exchange (on Gamefound)

Designer: Richard Garfield (Android: Netrunner, Bunny Kingdom, King of Tokyo, King of Tokyo: Dark Edition, Magic: The Gathering)

Artists: not credited

Publisher: Ghost Galaxy

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 player only game, card game, collectible components, fantasy, fighting, hand management, take that

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “While the software used to produce prior KeyForge products was tragically lost in that baleful year 2020, all hope was not extinguished. Fate would have it that, at the time we were approached to purchase KeyForge, a sister-company to Ghost Galaxy was already in the process of building new software to produce card games via digital printing. Immediately after we closed on the KeyForge purchase this past June, we contracted that brilliant team (several being among the FFG team who built the original KeyForge software) to do the hard work of rebuilding the KeyForge deck-generation engine from scratch. They are already making rapid progress. Proceeds from this campaign will help fund this expensive digital endeavor. In addition to a whole new batch of cards and mechanics, Winds of Exchange also introduces the game’s eleventh house, the Compacts of Ekwidon. This is a mercantile house founded by the asymmetrical Getrookya, and it’s all about themes of trade and exchange. Joining the Ekwidon are six returning houses, including Brobnar, Sanctum, Saurians, Star Alliance, Unfathomable, and the long-awaited return of Mars.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $62

All-In (w/shipping): $774

Campaign Ends: 9/26

Game Ships: Jan. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 814% with 14 days to go.

Project: Morpho

Designer: Jeffrey CCH (Age of Civilization, Age of Galaxy, Eila and the Something Shiny)

Artist: Pagas Chan

Publisher: ICE Makes (Age of Civilization, Age of Galaxy, Eila and the Something Shiny)

Genre/Mechanisms: alliances, bluffing, card game, deduction, hidden roles, party game, player elimination, spies / secret agents, traitor game, variable set-up

Player Count: 3-9

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “A quick and portable social deduction game. You will control two identities to attain their winning condition. You could investigate the identities of other players to figure out the situation, hit the right timing to take action, or even change your character to explore a new winning condition. Apart from the basic identities, you may also add the special ids– Outsiders and Aliens to the game. Their abilities and goals can definitely provide diversity and fascinating experiences.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $25

All-In (w/shipping): $30

Campaign Ends: 10/1

Game Ships: Jan. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 156% with 18 days to go.

Project: Schnell Boats

Designer: Joe Carter (Devil Boats: PT Boats in the Solomons)

Artist: Joe Carter (Devil Boats: PT Boats in the Solomons)

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

Genre/Mechanisms: dice rolling, nautical, paper-and-pencil, print & play, solo / solitaire game, wargame, world war II

Player Count: 1

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A tactical-level wargame where you (as the Captain) take the command of a German Kriesgsmarine type S-100 Schnellboot fast attack torpedo boat squadron in the English Channel during 1943-1944. Your main goal is to survive while sinking as many enemy ships as you and your squadron can. Missions include offensive patrols, minelaying, and search and rescue missions. Enemies you and your crewmen will face include a variety of ships, patrol boats, and patrol aircraft. Weather conditions and sea state are also modeled. The player moves their squadron through various travel boxes on a map of the English Channel during each mission on their way to the patrol area, then must successfully return back to home base. Game components include a crewmen placement mat, strategic map mat, Tables book, crewmen status sheet, campaign log, and counter sheet representing individual S-Boats, enemy aircraft, ships, etc.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $74

All-In (w/shipping): $82

Campaign Ends: 9/21

Game Ships: Nov. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 223% with 9 days to go.

Project: Tales of War

Designer: Krzysztof Kulak

Artist: Sasha Radivojevic (Dwellings of Eldervale)

Publisher: Raven Games

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 player only games, action points, advantage token, area movement, fantasy, line of sight, movement points, open drafting, rock-paper-scissors, scenario / mission / campaign game, simulation, wargame

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A competitive tactical board game for two players, which places you in the roles of army generals in the conflict for the Cross of Eternity, an ancient artefact holding the key to immortality. The game board represents an open book filled with ever-changing terrain and mighty heroes leading their armies of medieval troops and fantasy creatures into battle. Each time you play the game, you write a new tale. It is your very own tale of war. Players take turns activating one unit at a time and either move it to another position or attack an opponent´s unit. Tales of War doesn’t use dice, nor cards to resolve combat. Instead defeating enemy units is as simple as either moving your melee unit onto a square occupied by them or positioning your ranged units in the line of fire and range. Each unit has different equipment, which defines its special rules. For example, units equipped with spears will automatically repel a direct cavalry charge and archers cannot make a frontal assault on units armed with shields. A player can still use the cavalry to outmaneuver a unit equipped with spears and devastate it with a flank or rear charge, just as archers may trap a shielded enemy by attacking at an angle. There are 21 unit types and each has unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses. As the campaign progresses, your initially small force expands to include units, such as Elves, Dwarves, Fire and Ice Sorceresses, Giants, Hydras, Fire Elementals or even Vampires.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $97

All-In (w/shipping): $97, same as above

Campaign Ends: 10/9

Game Ships: July 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 12% with 26 days to go.