'Trickster: Champions of Time' on Kickstarter

Howdy all! Long time no see. It's been a wildly busy couple of months since last year, most of which culminates in this new game from Action Phase Games and Indie Boards and Cards.

Trickster: Champions of Time is a big polished update of my old game series Trickster which long-time followers might remember from a few years ago. The art is all new, the base game contains more hero cards, and the expansions planned introduce even more. I handled art direction and Beth Sobel did the illustrations. I'm happy to have a diverse and inclusive cast of characters from across time and space so skillfully depicted in the game.

Check out the video above and help spread the word. Thank you!

Dreamwell from Action Phase Games on Kickstarter

Oh wow, check out Dreamwell, a gorgeous game with art from Tara McPherson. I really love it when tabletop publishers give new and interesting art styles a stage to shine. Action Phase brought in Kwanchai Moriya for Kodama: the Tree Spirits, which was a really great call. Looks like they're keeping up that track record with Dreamwell. The gorgeous blend of theme and presentation that makes my inner art director so, so happy. Check out the quick tutorial below:

And pledge here!

Fate More and Do: Fate of the Flying Temple Launch on Kickstarter!

Watch the skies! The Fate More kickstarter is live, with Do: Fate of the Flying Temple as a headliner. If you loved Pilgrims of the Flying Temple but wanted to play with the Fate system, here's your chance! :D

Last day to back Kodama: the Tree Spirits on Kickstarter!

Whoa.

That's all I can say for how amazing the Kodama: the Tree Spirits campaign has been the past 30 days. Hard to believe what began as this weird little idea a few years ago has grown so big. As of this post, we're just over $90,000 and 3000 backers with 14 hours left. This is by far the most successful project I've been a part of and a wonderful way to close out the year.

If you haven't backed yet, please do so! And tell your friends!

Thank you!

Kodama: the Tree Spirits is live on Kickstarter!

Kodama: the Tree Spirits is now live on Kickstarter! In this game, you and the other players are caretakers of the forest and its inhabitants. You must grow a tree as a new home for Kodama, the tree spirits. Each Kodama has its own preferences, so you'll have to grow carefully and select the right adornments to get it just right!

I'm so pleased with how much Action Phase Games has put into this project already. Watch the video below for an overview:

Here's the rulebook or watch the tutorial below for how to play:

To find out more about how Action Phase and I developed a new game based on Kigi, check out this designer diary on BoardGameGeek.

And, of course, back the project to get your copy! US shipping is free and it's EU-friendly! Thanks so much for your support! 🌱

Trickster: Starship and Trickster: Symbiosis now live! (Plus Kickstarter plans!)

 

I'm happy to say the two newest Trickster sets are now live at http://www.smartplaygames.com! Trickster is a series of fun casual strategy card games featuring heroes from many genres and universes. You’re trying to keep those gallant chumps from meddling in your business. Lure them toward your opponents and try to keep them away from you. Whoever has the fewest heroes will be the winner!

Each Trickster set is a standalone game, but you can mix heroes from different sets to customize the play to your group’s tastes.

Trickster: Starship is a fast-paced and competitive set featuring the motley crew of the starship Emphasis as they explore the unknown. Art by Brian Patterson.

Trickster: Symbiosis is a highly strategic set featuring characters from the biopunk setting Symbiosis by Steven Sanders.

Both games are completely compatible with Trickster: Fantasy and Trickster: Tianxia. For more news on the future plans, see below.


Kickstarting Trickster

Yes, it's long overdue, but I'm finally taking the plunge into crowdfunding again! The plan is to fund a print run of 1000 copies of Trickster: Fantasy in a two-part box with a full-color rules sheet. I'll need to raise about $15,000 to make that happen. I'll add more Trickster sets as stretch goals to the campaign at key funding milestones thereafter.

This is a big step for my company and one I've been reluctant to take for a long time. It takes a lot of time and money up front to get into retail channels and I've grown comfortable with my POD model the past few years. But it's become evident that I shouldn't put all my eggs in one basket like that.

I feel strongly about Trickster's potential in the wider market and I'm eager to see what comes of it. I hope I can count on your support as Smart Play Games takes this next step!