The Biggest Board Game News of January 2025!

[@jksalamon]

All those commenting on Finspan being milked, what about Pandemic, Clank, Ticket To Ride, Dune etc etc... Folks like Wingspan and stuff related to it, they are getting what they want. And nothing wrong in Stonemaier wanting to explore all possible avenues to monetize.

[@Schlagathor78]

I think they have all gotten comments about being milked at one point or another. I don't care either way. Stonemaier will eventually make Spamspan then I will buy in

[@TCGHeroes]

Those are also milked lmao like what. Two things can be true

[@TateRoberts_007]

No one is saying that those other games weren't milked. This is a straw man argument. Both things are true: yes, other games milked gamers. But also yes, Stonemaier is milking gamers. Hence, it's equally valid to question the motives of SMG.

[@86Disab]

I think it's because of how stupid the name is.

[@arcaderunner2188]

It’s like saying “other people do crappy things so this crappy thing here is ok”.

[@Epsilon081]

You should definitely pick up survive the island. I nabbed it for $15 from target for my 10 year old to play with his friends. I helped them play through the first game and they loved it. Its definetly lighter weight and there is some luck to winning but most of the fun is just the interaction between players... and feeding your rivals to the sharks! PS: Opened my copy of Splender duel at the request of a friends daughter ~10 year oldish. And we played 3 times in a row she was addicted. She asked me to buy it for her for her birthday. Great game

[@patrickleder8415]

With Arcs I think we had to balance the impact of the announcement with not announcing it. People were asking us frequently if they could port it or when it was coming out. Now we benefit from a pat answer though. Agree though a year is a long time.

[@mrsteve4569]

I’m in a dedicated Root group who always has a game going in the app. This announcement for Arcs has us thrilled. IMO, Arcs if #1 in 2024.

[@86Disab]

Im holding out for Bugspan.

[@joshfrench5858]

What about antspan?

[@86Disab]

@joshfrench5858 well.. a necessary expansion of course, which adds 18 different breeds of ant, with optional deluxified tokens.

[@86Disab]

Along with the ant hill storage container

[@joshfrench5858]

@@86Disab will there be some sort of king of the ant hill mechanism?

[@86Disab]

@@joshfrench5858 seems best saved for another necessary expansion.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

31:28 Sounds like what happened with Mage Knight - They released the “Mage Knight: ULTIMATE Edition” and then released another expansion afterward… They really shouldn’t do the “Ultimate Edition”s until the very end!… Kind of like the “Greatest Hits” album of (musical) artists!

[@Sirpoupadoumax]

Survive was played a bit in our home, but our kids do prefer coop like yours, as they tend to smash during competitive games... So king of take that quickly returned in the game cupboard 😊

[@Arthur-CSS]

Village Attacks! is in the 'Top 10' in my gamegroup. So looking forward to getting more :)

[@sethpeterson8261]

Haven't watched the video yet, but VA was top of my most wanted and I finally found myself a 110%+ all-in with every expansion, every dice set, all DR crossover content, all in boxes, all sleeved, all boxes, color printed booklet of every digital scenario all for a crazy low price. And it was worth the wait, freaking awesome effing game

[@jeffersonwu952]

Wow, Finspan! I have no interest in the game mechanism, but I am definitely interested in the fish cards. Get the kids to learn a few fish would be great!

[@mrsteve4569]

Really looking forward to Arcs digital. We will continue with the physical copy until then. You forgot they also have to fulfill Ahoy!

[@Olorin323]

I like Wingspan, but prefer Wyrmspan. This is too much for me and I'm probably out on Finspan unless the gameplay just turns out to be significantly better. I'll stick with the dragon theme as my preferred "span". Also, thanks for the recommendations on Mindbug, Keep the Heroes Out!, and Leviathan Wilds! I picked them up on your recommendations and they are all some of my favs now! I wouldn't have found them without your plugs!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

I think Chris just said in this video that Finspan is going to be a lighter version of Wingspan.

[@alenkulic4648]

I honestly am not going to play new Finspan, did not even manage to play Wrymspann. I do not know is it just me , but from all the games you have mentioned , I am looking most forward to Ice Cool wizard, Ghost Hunters , the shorter games. Some stuff looks great , but they are thematic the same, mechanic as well. There are not a lot of unique games. But it seems this year there is going to bee just too much new games. Probably over 5000 without expansions. I am starting to miss days when board games were not mainstream. They tested more games, and there was no FOMO fear.

[@Mepper.]

At first glance I didn't think Gone to Gaia was anything special but then I looked at it again and I'm quite interested in it. I'll definitely be waiting for more information on it.

[@Whist75]

Thanks for the video!

[@Efendiwu]

Hi, can you find any information about smallworld big box or anniversary edition ?

[@haxan6663]

I love Village Attacks but it is a game that really needs at least some of the expansions, as the core box is too limited. I will be interested in Grim Dynasty.

[@tiredguy2753]

I am curious if cmon wil do anything to tweak the difficulty for the newest MD.

i'd be surprised if they didn't. campaign date announced today as feb 5

[@tiredguy2753]

The lack of difficulty seems to be the most common complain/ criticism with MD 2 so I am hoping it wil be addressed for shadow reach though to be fair cmon may ignore the too easy complaints .

[@oliverellison9844]

I'm one of the rare people that does not like 7 wonders duel. So I have avoided all the duel games. As the economics of board games becomes challenging this year and next, I expect companies to only back properties they think will do well, thus the duel games for every game that was a success for the past 5 years. Ark Nova duel, Dune Imperium duel, Wingspan Duel, Root Duel, Heat duel, Cascadia duel and Sky Team duel.

[@TheDilla]

sky team duel hahaha

[@joshfrench5858]

@@oliverellison9844 not sure if your a fan of splender or not but if you are the duel version was very good.

[@sergi0YT]

are there any Tower/Castle attack games? when you're attacking, not defending?

[@sethpeterson8261]

Massive Darkness, Assault on Doomrock and Village Attacks are all in our top all-time best, favorite games. Not all that interested in Chinese fantasy for the new VA, but the new Doomrock expansion sounds awesome (they've released quite a lot of details actually) and new MDarkness expansion is a must, but hopefully it doesnt sprawl to much (sucks the rpg portion is 5e though, lame)

[@bluedevil3d104]

Positive/negative on CMON, they *might* be able to save money by consolidating shipping containers? Dune Kwizats Hadderach edition is likely to follow a similar model as the Firefly 10 Year Anniversary Edition.

[@aaronarnold6444]

Star Trek will be tough to pass up, even though I’ll likely never get it played. Picked up the game on 2019 after experiencing it at GenCon. Also picked up one of the expansions. We’ve played it maybe once since then. Always talked about playing it, but i never get the right people to the table for long enough to play it. Sad face, but I’ll buy it.

[@greggates7039]

I mean I’m glad there’s games getting people into the hobby but man I’m so over anything Xspan

[@Twineandribbon]

I am verrrrry interested in Gone to Gaia.

[@Backyard.lumberjack]

Couldn’t care less about Finspan, or Stonemaier releasing more in the same line. I just think the name is poop

[@sergi0YT]

The most fun thing about Finspan, that all the hate that are going to be produced right now will just increase the sales. I'm subscribed to SM channel. How did I hear of FS? BrotherMurph parody news.

[@joshfrench5858]

@@sergi0YT that’s the most fun thing about the game? Well if that’s the case than there is no point in buying it. Thanks for the heads up. 👍

[@sergi0YT]

@joshfrench5858 no, that's the most fun thing about wankers who don't like Wingspan.

[@jeffersonwu952]

We've got at least 3 more spans to go. Dogspan Catspan Pokemonspan

[@nahtanahtan]

... I would unironically play a Pokemonspan.

[@matissmatiss3126]

There is no pre order for finspan.. It will be available some time 20 ish Jan for order.. I got Wyrmspan and now trying to sell it, Wingspan was better for me, and I do not care about dragons, so I think I’ll pass “finspn” 😀

[@lilformersmatt]

I don't think Akropolis: Athena is new? because I have it...

[@joshfrench5858]

Finspan? Is this April 1st?

[@craigandrews7544]

Check Stonemaier’s registered trademarks. It gets worse.

[@lit_wick]

The thing with the Riot (leauge) tcg, is that riot is a very dedicated company. All of their side projects are usually super good and polished. I have no doubts at all that the tcg will be good. They already have practice with card games as they have a digital one already. I can see people complaining about reused assets though.

[@IronSalamander8]

Dogs of War is good stuff.

[@argy8141]

****span, I keep hearing that Earth is a better game inspired by those mechanics. Wingspan never floated my boat (theme), Wyrmspan I just didn't like the mechanics, it seemed over procedural to me (know thyself), will Finpsan be better? i don't know.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Finspan is supposed to be lighter (gameplay-wise) than Wingspan.

[@tehpickle1250]

Span’t

[@petergross7235]

Not really excited about Fin-span. I'm holding out for Marvel-span in 2 years. 😉

[@egd277]

You should try your kids on Stoneage.

[@TheCardboardWarlord]

I have to believe that Wingspan sold so many copies because it was gifted to non-gamers more than any other game. I think that makes it commercially successful but Idk how to gauge it's success at pulling people into the hobby. I have a coworker who owns a copy, gifted to her by her brother... never played it. I borrowed it to show another couple who love birdwatching but don't play board games. We played it once, they seemingly enjoyed the experience but a year later... they still don't own it or any other board game for that matter. It has beautiful artwork and solid thematic ties that pulled a lot of people in but I don't think the gameplay was all that compelling.

[@xshadowscreamx]

My fear would be the gameplay be too complex for non gamers, it should not be the first board game for non gamers. Learning the card interaction got to be a mind melt.

[@kbzombie84]

Too much Span for me, all of wingspan plus wyrmspan and future expansion is too much.

[@jefflanzilotta2057]

Wingspan flogging that horse...but I will defo buy it. 😂🤣😅

[@MyKonaRC]

Finspan - the milking continues from Stonemire games

[@andyandersen7898]

Quit whining. If you don’t want it, don’t buy it. No one cares. And its Stonemaier.

[@joshfrench5858]

@@andyandersen7898he’s free to make a statement or hold a opinion. You’re the only one whining.

[@sergi0YT]

@@joshfrench5858 so does everybody else. but thanks god you jump in, counselor

[@joshfrench5858]

@@sergi0YT and thank pazuzu that you were here to tell me that. I needed your reassurance for free speech.

[@xshadowscreamx]

Literally just the third game, not the 10th.

[@vantuantran5160]

Finspan? Now that tells me they are trying to milk their audience before they get too tired of the span franchise