Industry News: Ensemble in North America, Fluxx in Wonderland, and Luma to Sit Down

Industry News: Ensemble in North America, Fluxx in Wonderland, and Luma to Sit Down
Board Game: Ensemble
Ares Games has signed a deal to publish and distribute original games from Italian publisher Ergo Ludo Editions in English, starting with the Q4 2021 release of the co-operative game Ensemble from Luigi Ferrini and Daniele Ursini. Here's an overview of that title:
Quote:
All players must vote — without communicating — on one of the cards on display that they think best matches a card in the middle of the table. Communication is allowed only once all the players' votes have been revealed, and if all players have voted the same way (with a small, variable tolerance depending on the number of players), the group moves on to the next level. Otherwise, they lose a life.

The goal of the game is to win level 9 — and once the game is won for the first time, the first scenario deck (of three) is unlocked, with new rules and cards being available for future games.
Following that, Ares will publish an English language version of Ergo Ludo Editions' Cangaceiros, with this game being "inspired by the outlaw gangs of Brazil's Northeast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries".

Here's more on this late 2021/early 2022 release from the press release:
Quote:
To counter the overwhelming power of the large landowners called "Coronéis", armed gangs were created to oppose these despots and the government, fighting for survival, freedom, and revenge. Players are bandits trying to become the most famous gang of the Cangaço, surviving in the impervious hinterland, hunted by military units sent by government to capture or kill them.
From gallery of W Eric Martin
• Luma Imports, a subsidiary of Canadian distributor Luma Games, has signed a deal with Belgian publisher Sit Down! for "exclusive English-language distribution" of its game catalog, starting with the upcoming releases Dive (covered here) and Rush Out! (covered here) in the first half of 2021 and continuing with reprints of Magic Maze and Magic Maze Kids. Here's an excerpt from the press release announcing the deal:
Quote:
Didier Delhez, co-owner of Sit Down!, said, "We are very happy with this new partnership with Luma Imports. Our games will now be able to largely reach the American public, thus responding to the many requests that we have received. We know the effectiveness of Luma Imports and are excited to start this new partnership!"
• Eric Hanuise of Flatlined Games has started a YouTube channel titled "Board Game Publisher" in which he promises to "publish videos about all aspects of the board game publishing trade: sourcing, development, manufacturing, logistics, marketing, regulations, DTP and Pre-press, the list goes on." If you've thought of taking the plunge — or have already plunged — perhaps these videos will be of interest to you. Here's one to get you started, focusing on why you might not want to do this:


From gallery of W Eric Martin
• Spielwarenmesse — the annual toy and game fair in Nürnberg, Germany — has cancelled its 2021 event (previously rescheduled from Jan/Feb to July) and announced that the next fair will be held February 2-6, 2022.

• To increase availability of its games in Canada, Looney Labs has signed a deal with Universal Distribution that goes into effect as of April 14, 2021. An excerpt from the press release: "Universal Distribution has been a long-time industry friend and brings strong insights into the game and hobby market in Canada. With three shipping locations across Canada, they are more convenient for some retailers. This addition of Universal as a distributor does not replace any existing channels for obtaining Looney Lab games but rather adds opportunity for specialty retailers to get our games at their convenience."

Board Game: Wonderland Fluxx

Speaking of which, Wonderland Fluxx is a short-run release from Looney Labs for which retail preorders end on April 16, 2021. The short story behind this title: U.S. retailer Books-A-Million was interested in an "Alice in Wonderland" themed Fluxx, and designer Andy Looney had one on hand, so it's now going into production primarily for BAM!, while also being available to other retailers who want to carry copies.

Related

Make Hot Sauce, Mix Colors, and Balance Angels and Demons to Achieve Virtue

Make Hot Sauce, Mix Colors, and Balance Angels and Demons to Achieve Virtue

Apr 08, 2021

• Virtue is a 2-4 player co-operative game from designer Max Robbins of Dragon Egg Games, who debuted with the "your life as a bee" game Apidaia in 2020 and who fulfilled a Kickstarter in March...

Grow a Hermit Crab Shell, Listen to Safes, Avoid Suspicion, and Catch the Bomber

Grow a Hermit Crab Shell, Listen to Safes, Avoid Suspicion, and Catch the Bomber

Apr 07, 2021

Let's check out a few more Japanese game releases ahead of the Tokyo Game Market event that will take place on April 10-11, 2021. Not all of these titles will necessarily be available at the...

Drive a Bus with Dice, Make Eight Cards Ten, and Crush Others with Blocks

Drive a Bus with Dice, Make Eight Cards Ten, and Crush Others with Blocks

Apr 06, 2021

• As the COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out in countries around the world, Tokyo Game Market is one of the few game events taking place, with TGM next taking place on April 10-11,...

Links: Changing Times in the Game Industry

Links: Changing Times in the Game Industry

Apr 05, 2021

• On March 15, 2021, Z-Man Games' Head of Studio Steve Kimball posted an article titled "An Ode to the Euro Classics", which simultaneously announced the end of the "Euro Classics" game line...

Dig up Dunes in Lençóis, Stay in Order in Barakka, and Ride the Highs and Lows of Day & Night

Dig up Dunes in Lençóis, Stay in Order in Barakka, and Ride the Highs and Lows of Day & Night

Apr 04, 2021

• Designer Andrea Mezzotero debuted in 2018 with the card game Crystal Clans from Plaid Hat Games, a two-player battle game that had a half-dozen expansions to bring more clans to the table.For...

ads