OUT OF THE DARK

WELCOME

Like a long weekend that vanishes into what feels like

NEED TO KNOW…

READY, SOMERSET, PLAY

FIRST TURN REINER KNIZIA

The German veteran of 600-odd published titles looks back on the one that was (arguably, kinda) his very first: Digging, also known as Desperados

MY FAVOURITE GAME

Treefrog Games’ founder and the designer of Brass, Age of Steam and Hit Z Road considers how Terra Mystica overcomes its Euro trappings

COUNTER VIEW

The co-owner of Reading’s friendly local games store Eclectic Games seizes the opportunity to delve into balancing cost and benefits

10 OF THE BEST…

SHORT-TIME GAMES

ROLE CALL

This year continues to throw up surprising new additions to the thriving roleplaying genre, including ‘80s-inspired sci-fi, fantasy favourites, cult comic adaptations and magical ponies

ALL THE JAHRES

James Wallis replays the winners of the Spiel des Jahres in order

INSIDE THE SECRET BOARD GAME MAKER

We throw back the curtain on the unsung manufacturer responsible for producing some of the most acclaimed tabletop titles of the last decade – and a name you’ve probably never heard before

AN INTRODUCTION TO…ECLIPSE

Touko Tahkokallio’s epic sci-fi 4X title has been a tabletop favourite since it first warped in, but it remains an imposing box for many newcomers. Here’s our quick guide to getting on board

THE MAKING OF CALL OF CTHULHU

More than 35 years after it debuted, Chaosium’s seminal RPG remains one of the most illustrious tabletop reimaginings of horror author H.P. Lovecraft’s twisted universe. Original designer Sandy Petersen and current line editor Mike Mason reflect on the title’s creation and lasting legacy

FEVER PITCHES – BLOOD BOWL VS GUILD BALL

With Games Workshop and Steam forged both returning to the fantasy football field in recent months, there’s rarely been so much choice for fans. But if you’re new to the genre, where should you start: with the seasoned veteran or fresh talent? We weigh up the choices

DON ESKRIDGE – LORD OF THE LIES

The Resistance and Avalon creator is renowned as a master of the social deception genre, and this year he returns with his next attempt to breed distrust in the name of fun. We join him as he prepares to Abandon Planet

A DOCTOR, A JUDGE AND A WARLORD…

Warlord Games is stepping further outside of its historical roots with tabletop takes on some of the best that British pop culture has to offer. We ask the miniatures publisher about its plans for the Doctor Who and 2000 AD universes.

HOW BOARD GAMES CONQUERED KICKSTARTER

Kickstarter has radically transformed the face of tabletop gaming, allowing first-time designers and ambitious projects too risky or costly for traditional publishers to find an audience and raise millions. Five years on from the start of the crowdfunding revolution, head of games Luke Crane and some of the creators who have successfully used the platform reflect on its rise to the top

WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE

From peasants to kings, players around the globe have been enjoying dexterity games for the pas t 500 years. Join us as we pull, tumble and flick our way through the genre’s history

HOT POTATO

After a massive 12 months, UK publisher Big Potato is already gearing up for an even better 2017 with three new party games in the works. Co-founder Tristan Hyatt-Williams peels off the jacket

‘WE’RE ADVENTURING IN THE PAST, DUSTING OFF TABLETOP TREASURES LOST TO TIME’

Publisher Restoration Games is on a mission to bring forgotten gems back to the tabletop. President Justin D. Jacobson talks about teaming up with SeaFall designer Rob Daviau, discovering the soul of games and reveals why he feels like the industry’s Indiana Jones

THE BOARD GAME THREE DECADES IN THE MAKING

Nicola Iannone has been working on his tabletop debut for two-thirds of his life. As Medioevo Universalis prepares to finally release in 2017, the first-time designer looks back on the culmination of 29 years

BOARD IN THE UK

UK Games Expo celebrates its tenth birthday in 2017, and it looks like the Birmingham-based convention plans to party in style. We round up some of the titles worth your attention

ENTER ANOTHER DIMENSION

The lines between the virtual and physical worlds are

MECHS VS MINIONS

The first tabletop title from the developer of the world’s biggest video game is a triumph of production, narrative and mechanics

VINHOS DELUXE EDITION

Vital Lacerda’s gorgeous game of strategic winemaking is a veritable Nebuchadnezzar of mechanics and theme

A FINE YEAR

Vinhos designer Vital Lacerda discusses his return to the beautiful winemaking Euro, his lifelong love of Portugal and his next big project, Lisboa

DOOM: THE BOARD GAME

We rip and tear our way into this hellish adaptation of the gloriously gory video game icon

V-COMMANDOS

This co-op romp is an accessible and exciting take on World War II

GOING COMMANDO

Thibaud de la Touanne left behind a two-decade career developing blockbuster video games to open his own tabletop publisher. We catch up with the Triton Noir founder and V-Commandos designer

AEON’S END

Kevin Riley’s unique co-op fantasy card game is a deckbuilding delight

BLOODBORNE: THE CARD GAME

Eric Lang’s adaptation of the gothic video game is a gripping blend of card combat and social deception.

COTTAGE GARDEN

Uwe Rosenberg puts down the needle and picks up a trowel with this relaxing sibling to Patchwork

MY LITTLE PONY: TAILS OF EQUESTRIA: THE STORYTELLING GAME

Is this kid-friendly introduction to roleplaying worth ponying up for?

POWER GRID: THE CARD GAME

Is this energy-themed spin-off a bright spark or lump of coal?

JUMP DRIVE

Does this fast-paced introduction to the Race for the Galaxy universe live up to its legacy?

MANSIONS OF MADNESS: BEYOND THE THRESHOLD

The first full expansion for the horror hit’s second edition is sure to make you thrall in love

BOARD GAME CRATE

We see if the dream of receiving surprise board games through the post is as good as it sounds

BOXES IN BOXES

Phil Collins talks about starting up the UK’s first board game subscription crate and offers a look ahead at 2017’s monthly arrivals

MACHI KORO: BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

This remixed edition brings together the best – and worst – of the dice- rolling citybuilder and its expansions

WAR OF THE RING: WARRIORS OF MIDDLE-EARTH

Eagles, spiders and ents, oh my! Factions come calling in the second expansion for the epic Lord of the Rings game

THE TITANS OF GAMING SERIES

We take a look at the first three releases in the ongoing run of gateway games by legendary designers

PLANET RUSH

This sci-fispin on Reiner Knizia’s Tower of Babel might leave you with a feeling of déjà vu

BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES – ALMOST GOT ‘IM CARD GAME

The Dark Knight returns in this stylish social deduction title

HOLOGRID: MONSTER BATTLE

HappyGiant | $30 | Hybrid card battling | 2 players

HAPPY SALMON

North Star | £12.99 | Party | 3-6 players 5 minutes

HOP!

This kid-friendly game of throwing rainbows and climbing clouds is a simple delight

ROBO RALLY (2016 EDITION)

Richard Garfield’s chaotic robot-racing title has been given a tune-up and fresh coat of paint, but is that enough to survive today?

POCKET MADNESS

Funforge | £13.99 | Card game | 2-4 players 30 minutes

SUPERHOT CARD GAME

Board & Dice | $20 | Deckbuilding | 1-3 players

ADVENTURE REALM RPG MAP TILES: TOWN AND WILDERNESS

For all the wonder and fun that experiencing a roleplaying

PAINTING GUIDE: STAR WARS REBELLION

Good, good. Let the paint flow through you and bring a galaxy far, far away to life by learning how to decorate the fantastic miniatures included in Fantasy Flight’s epic title

THE DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE TO… BUILDING AN RPG CAMPAIGN

Our ongoing column focuses on providing tips, guidance and advice to Dungeon Masters as they establish their own worlds to run campaigns in. Some of the advice will be specific to the latest fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, but the majority of the concepts are applicable to any setting, game or ruleset that you prefer. The second entry in the series looks at the first steps of creating a world

EVENT REPORT – REVELATION

Organiser Graham Spearing checks in following the first roleplaying game convention Powered by the Apocalypse

CLUB DIRECTORY

Royal British Legion, Market Square, Oldmeldrum, AB51

SHOP SPOTLIGHT DRAUGHTS

London’s first board game café is still one of the best. Events and social media manager Russell Chapman talks about serving tabletop-friendly munchies and the unlikely popularity of A Dog’s Life

TABLETOP TIME MACHINE BATTLE GROUND CROSSBOWS & CATAPULTS (2007)

Phil Robinson is a game historian and the founder of

IN THE NEXT ISSUE… BEARS VS BABIES

Can the creators of party phenomenon Exploding Kittens do it again?