The summer months have been packed with impactful news, thought-provoking discussions, and exciting new releases in the tabletop gaming world. From expansions to controversies, and from industry-shaking acquisitions to insightful design analysis, here are some of the most compelling pieces from May through August that captured my attention.
Twilight Imperium fans had plenty to celebrate with the announcement of the Thunder’s Edge expansion. Wargamer highlights how this new addition brings fresh strategic depth and narrative layers to one of the hobby’s most epic space operas. For veterans of the game and newcomers alike, Thunder’s Edge promises to extend the already immense replayability of Twilight Imperium. Read more here
Not all summer news was celebratory. Wargamer reported on the backlash surrounding Ace of Spades, leading to a public apology from its publisher. The article sheds light on the importance of community accountability in the gaming industry and how missteps can lead to important conversations about inclusivity and representation. Read more here
In a fascinating feature, Wargamer also explored The Night Cage, a horror-themed board game that raises intriguing political questions. Beyond its chilling mechanics and tense gameplay, the article digs into how horror in board games can be used as a lens to explore social issues and power structures. Read more here
On the business side, one of the biggest industry developments came when Gamefound announced the acquisition of Indiegogo. This bold move, covered by PR Newswire, positions Gamefound as an even stronger crowdfunding platform and marks a potential shift in how board game projects will be launched and supported in the future. Read more here
Controversy also hit the spotlight with several prominent reviewers, including No Pun Included and Shut Up & Sit Down, boycotting CGE over the release of a new Harry Potter-themed Codenames. BoardGameWire’s coverage delves into the criticism of CGE for moving forward with a Rowling-linked product amid ongoing debates around trans rights. Read more here
Meanwhile, Wargamer revealed a new board game based on Take, expanding the presence of this popular franchise into the tabletop space. The announcement sparked excitement among fans eager to see how the spirit of the original will be captured in a new format. Read more here
Over at BoardGameGeek, their monthly rankings provided a snapshot of what players are most engaged with. June’s list gave us insight into early summer favorites, while July’s ranking highlighted how quickly trends can shift in the gaming community. Together, these lists capture the evolving pulse of the hobby. See June’s list here | See July’s list here
The Player’s Aid brought us an in-depth interview with designer Mark Wiley about his upcoming game World War II Solitaire: Echoes of War. This conversation shines a light on the creative process behind designing a solitaire wargame, providing insights into both historical representation and engaging solo mechanics. Read the interview here
On a lighter note, TheGamer offered a fun ranking of board game boxes by playtime, exposing the “lies” behind the durations listed on boxes. Equal parts humorous and useful, the piece resonates with any player who has ever looked skeptically at a promised “30-minute game.” Read more here
Finally, Meeple Mountain closed out their acclaimed series on perfected mechanics with Volume 6. This concluding article ties together the insights from the series, reflecting on mechanics that not only define the board games we love but also show how design choices shape our experiences at the table. Read more here
From major expansions and industry shake-ups to thoughtful critiques and design insights, the summer months were filled with stories that highlight both the joys and the challenges of the board gaming world. For more exciting updates, keep an eye on the Curation section of aellomegames.com 🔗, where news and highlights from the coming months will continue to keep you connected with the latest in the board game universe.