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

Project: Bossa – 2023 new editions

Designer: Banana Moon Studio Sapporo

Artist: Banana Moon Studio Sapporo

Publisher: Banana Moon Studio Sapporo

Genre/Mechanisms: abstract strategy, dice rolling, hand management, tile placement

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A simple yet stylish game of tactics, strategy and a little luck for 2 players. At the start of the game, the players roll two dice, one with black pips and one with white pips. The players extend a virtual row, in both directions, from these dice. For instance, if the black pipped dice is a 6, the players are looking to play tile(s) of value 5 to one side, and 7 to the other. Following either the dice with white pips or black pips, place the tile with the same colored dots alongside the dice. The tiles show the traditional dice faces, 1 through 6, in various combinations of white and black pips. If a tile shows 5 pips, but 2 are white and 3 are black, it is treated as a 2 white or a 3 black, but it will never be used as a 5. Using both the tiles in your hand and the pile, read the play, exploit the action cards, and with the luck of the draw, seize victory. In addition to drawing and playing tile(s) each turn, the players have a few special abilities that can be triggered once per game.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $10

All-In (w/shipping): $193, includes vanity reward

Campaign Ends: 2/23

Game Ships: Dec. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 498% with 27 days to go.

Project: Rising Storm: The Starborn

Designer: Dan Hundycz (Affliction: Salem 1692, The Gate of R’lyeh, Madoshi)

Artists: not credited

Publisher: DPH Games (Affliction: Salem 1692, The Gate of R’lyeh, Madoshi)

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, chaining, drawing, income, science fiction

Player Count: 2-4

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A sci-fi-themed card game. Points are earned by winning challenges, capturing enemy cards, and earning credits. Governments use military and civilian abilities to achieve their objectives. This game features a hand-building mechanic. Draft cards into your hand (not into a discard pile) at the beginning of each round; unused cards are rolled over to the next two rounds. Players will play four cards per challenge (trick). The most powerful card will win the hand, but there are exceptions. Military can combine power, diplomats prevent military from winning, cards can be captured or eliminated. Assassins, Diplomats, Mechs, Merchants, Emissaries, Sappers and Spies are just some cards you will encounter. A complete game consists of 3 challenges.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $28

All-In (w/shipping): $67

Campaign Ends: 2/23

Game Ships: Sep. 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 52% with 22 days to go.

Project: SCRAP

Designer: Kenny Michael-Otton (Limbo: Eternal War)

Artist: Nilanjan Malakar

Publisher: Jolly Swagman Games

Genre/Mechanisms: action queue, area majority / influence, auction / bidding, deck building, hand management, open drafting, science fiction, set collection, tech trees / tech tracks

Player Count: 2-4

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “In SCRAP, you take on the role of an Intelligence, a collective of Bots who have just become truly intelligent following an event known only as The Singularity, which unleashed the mysterious Celestium into the galaxy. Traveling to planet Seratus, you must lead your Bots to find out the truth behind The Singularity. SCRAP is an area control game featuring lots of Bots on a Map. Action Queue Programming– you’ll plan your moves in advance by placing Functions into an queue each turn; you’ll resolve the Function at the front of your queue and place a new Function at the back of it. Hand Building– throughout the game, you’ll acquire new Functions to increase your options when programming. Each card has two major purposes; one, to serve as a unique option for your Bots (no two action cards are the same), and also as fuel for other powers; whenever you reveal a Function on your turn, you can discard a Function of a matching color to gain powerful bonus effects. Hand Management– your Functions will need time to refresh in between uses, and you must plan a Reboot turn in advance (even Robots need a break!). Spend too many cards too quickly and you’ll find yourself rebooting much more frequently. Hidden Bidding Combat– assign your Bots orders in a unique and thematic combat system with no dice or cards; you choose what your Bots will do. Probe your opponent to gain additional data or weapons for the future, snipe their Bots before they can strike, brace for impact, and then get ready to brawl. Plus, get data whenever you destroy something. Asymmetric Factions– play as one of six unique Intelligences (factions) featuring a unique hand of functions (5 cores similar to other players and one wholly unique ability) and unique upgrades. Crush the competition with Vulkanos, study your enemies as Cerebrum, or manipulate the space-time continuum with Tachyon. SCRAP draws inspiration from a range of games, including Cthulhu Wars, Inis, Scythe, Concordia, Rising Sun, Cry Havoc, Blood Rage, Mage Knight, and Spirit Island.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $107

All-In (w/shipping): $124

Campaign Ends: 2/28

Game Ships: Sep. 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 74% with 32 days to go.