Many of you told us how much you appreciated us giving you a Buyer’s guide to our 2024 Fall Sale, so as we approach our Special Spring Sale that starts on Tuesday, April 1, Rachel and I have updated this Buyer’s Guide to try to give you some of that information to help out with your buying choices. We encourage you to use this information and the links below to build your sale carts on the GMT website between now and Tuesday when the sale begins. I hope you find this Buyer’s Guide useful.
Where Can You Find ALL the Eligible Sale Items?
We’re trying to make things a little easier for all of you this year, so can find all of the games you can buy in the sale in one department on the GMT Website. Just click Spring Sale 2025 (or choose it from the left side menu on any page in the “Browse by Series/Type” section except the front page on the GMT website) to see a list of every item that you can buy with the 40% off sale discount.
Which Games are Close to Going Out of Stock?
Here’s an alphabetical list of our lowest-stock games, with current quantities on hand for all games with less than 200 copies currently in stock:
NOTE: The following games have been “OUT OF STOCK” on our website for a while, but in our latest physical inventory, we’ve found some copies in the warehouse (quantities noted below). Good while stocks last:
Note that some of the games pictured may already be out of stock now (updated 4/1)
Which Games in the Sale have the highest retail prices?
Here’s a descending order list of our highest retail priced games, for those of you looking to optimize value. Price listed is BEFORE your 40% sale discount:
We hope you find this Buyer’s Guide useful and that you all get some 40% off games in the sale that will bring you many hours of enjoyment! – Gene & Rachel
Tom: Hello Gamers; big and small and wide and tall. This is going to be a very brief ‘This Month In’ because July is, to quote myself right now, ‘Popping Off’! Let’s GET TO IT!
The big event early this month is that we’ll be spilling every single bean on all our future plans in a summer update video and newsletter. The video itself will give you the rough idea; but if you’re a donor to the site the next newsletter in your inbox will be absolutely rammed with details about all the new plans we’re going to tinker with in the near future.
Videos! We’re actually recording a bunch of reviews for the future, so you might see a small dip in the pace we’ve been setting recently, and a surge of content when the games we’re chatting about actually release. We will have a video very soon, though, for a game you couldn’t possibly predict! We’re also hoping to have recorded a bit of a convention report whilst we’re at RopeCon in Helsinki; so expect no video that week whilst we’re busy getting beaten by the Finns, and a bruised and bloody report soon after.
Podcasts! We’ll be chatting about Golem, we’ll be rambling about My Island, we’ve got further thoughts about Iki, we’ve entered My Gold Mine, we’re taking on the Great Machine, and we’ve… Zoo Vadis’ed? So many games, lots of them good, and we’re jazzed to tell you more about them all. We’re also trying to record more in-person pods – they’re lovely for energy and ease and so I think, perhaps, going back to them might be the way forward.
Streams we’re running will be kept continually pretty chill and inconsistent, as per usual. It’s fun to hang out exactly when I’ve the energy for it, and so far the slightly pottering pace has been perfect!
That’s all for this month! Plenty to come very soon…
Beaks is a Roblox game where you explore different environments and use a dart gun to safely collect birds by putting them to sleep. It shares similar mechanics with Fisch, focusing on tracking, aiming, and building up your collection. As you progress, you’ll discover new bird species and upgrade your gear to become a better collector. This Official Beaks Trello and Discord guide will help you join all the community HUBs
Beaks Trello and Discord Guide
Hunt them all!
Here are all the links you need to start your Bird gallery:
Sadly, Beaks doesn’t have a Trello board at the moment, and the developers haven’t shared a link yet. Since many Roblox games use Trello for FAQs and updates, there’s a good chance one might be added later. If not, a Beaks Wiki will likely be available instead.
The Discord server is a good place to start instead. You can ask specific questions in the Questions channel and get insights from Testers and experienced players. It’s also a nice spot to share cool moments in the Media channel and connect with the community. Here is all the information you can find on the Discord:
General Game Information
Links and Socials
Community Updates
All Birds
Community Rankings
Future Updates
Regular Developer Notes
It’s also a great place to keep up with the game’s progress. The announcements channel shares news about updates, and the sneak peeks give you a look at what’s coming next. You’ll also find occasional updates presented by NEKAMI. On top of that, it’s the best spot to find the latest codes.
That is all for our Beaks Trello and Discord guide. Check out our Beaks Codes article for some freebies that can help you progress through the game with ease.
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At the start of each year, we take a look at what games are coming in the next twelve months. Some of these will inevitably slip into the next year and we’re really basing this on the publishers timelines. So, here are twenty games that we’re excited about that are slated for release this year.
Galactic Cruise
Publisher:Kinson Key Games Designer: T.K. King, Dennis Northcott, Koltin Thompson Release Window: Q1 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Everyone
Galactic Cruise is a game that we’ve seen for almost 3 years as the team at Kinson Key Games has polished every part of this project. The final game will arrive to Kickstarter backers in Q1 and it’s pretty amazing. Players are building space cruises as they attract clients for out of this world travel.
The artwork and iconography from Ian O’Toole really makes this game shine. Galactic Cruise is a game that is on everyone’s radar for good reason. Thankfully, the wait is almost over and I get most of the year to play this gem.
Wine Cellar
Publisher:25th Century Games Designer: Andrew Stiles Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ric and Bob
As trick-taking games become more and more popular, it’s good to see those that add solid creative twists. I’m a fan of the auction sub-genre, where the trick results impact the acquisition of different assets. That’s what you’ve got with Wine Cellar, a game originally designed by Andrew Stiles for an 18-card design contest. In this game, you’ll all be working to create the best wine collection, and each bottle scores differently based on its “age”… that is, its location in your collection.
The little wine bottle cards aren’t everyone’s thing, but I love them. I like the look when they’re all lined up at the end of the game, ready for scoring. It also plays up to 8 people, and more people don’t necessarily stretch the game too long or too thin. With easy-to-learn rules and quick gameplay, I think this will end up as one of the more versatile titles in my collection.
Deep Regrets
Publisher:Tettix Games Designer: Judson Cowan Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
This dark and unsettling fishing game really impressed us when we previewed it in 2024. The artwork for Deep Regrets pulls you in as you try and balance your mental state during your time at sea. Players have to find ways to mitigate regret cards while still finding wild creatures at sea.
This is Tettix Games second design and even at the prototype level, the game was really well made. Deep Regrets is a game that I understood better each time it hit the table and I’m itching for more. You can learn more in my preview from 2024.
Azul Duel
Publisher:Next Move Games Designer: Michael Kiesling Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan and Erin
Do we need another version of Azul? Possibly. Azul Duel is built for a 2-player focused experience and we’re hearing good things from people who have played it. Azul (and its board game siblings) are pretty solid at most player counts. I’m not 100% sure that this game is necessary but it could surprise me.
Azul is a game that has made its way into so many game shelves. If Next Move Games can shake up the formula enough to stand out, Azul Duel may be a great purchase for Erin and I. Our 2-player focused selection of games is growing and we’ll be watching for this release before summer.
Lairs
Publisher:Kids Table Board Gaming Designer: Christopher Westmaas Release Window: Q3 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan and Bob
Lairs is a unique take on dungeon crawling for 2-players. Each player builds out the dungeon that their opponent has to move through. Using traps and monsters, players are trying to keep the other player from easily grabbing the loot and finding the exit. Erin and I had a great time trying the game out at Origins last summer prior to the Kickstarter campaign launch.
What makes Lairs so cool is that after playing the game, you’ll start opening new content that makes dungeons more dangerous and introduces new features. This game builds on itself the more you play. Lairs is a fun time and the KTBG crew has a great game on their hands as we head into 2025.
Luthier
Publisher:Paverson Games Designer: Dave Beck, Abe Burson Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ric
I’m quite tired of fantasy, space and even nature-themed games. So it’s always nice to see a game asking me to do something I haven’t really done before. That’s what I’m seeing in Luthier. You’re a crafter of instruments, and you must manage your shop so that you build the strongest reputation.
I haven’t gotten to dive into the rules and gameplay as much as I would like. However, from what I’ve seen, it provides the opportunity for those chain reaction decisions I love so much, where a choice lets you do something, which leads to another thing, and so on.
The only thing holding me back from more excitement is the price. You’re getting a lot in the box, but $75 for retail is generally outside of my price range, no matter what I do. Here’s hoping I can find a good deal and/or unclaimed bag of cash in the near future…
Speakeasy
Publisher:Eagle-Gryphon Games Designer: Vital Lacerda Release Window: Q3/Q4 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan and Bob
One of my favorite gaming experiences of 2024 was playing Speakeasy with family and friends. This Vital Lacerda game quickly climbed my list of favorite games after just a single play. Players will align themselves with mobsters as they take over parts of Manhattan during the Prohibition Era.
Speakeasy has artwork from Ian O’Toole, incredible player boards, and a sprawling city to take over. The way Lacerda ties this game to the real world mobsters of the 1920’s brings so much depth to this game. Look for Speakeasy to hit a game table near you before the end of the year.
Camping Season
Publisher:SweaterBear Games Designer: Casey Mattes, Zoey Mattes Release Window: Q3/Q4 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
I love the idea of managing a campground where people are going to adventure and make memories. Camping Season is a game that is supposed to simulate running the facilities where campers are choosing to vacation. I love the look of the game and just the idea of managing reservations and facilities sounds super fun to my messed up brain.
The couple behind SweaterBear Games seems to love the great outdoors and the Kickstarter did really well back in October. I’m hoping this game can be found at retail after they fulfill orders to backers later this year. This is a game that is definitely on my radar going into the fall.
Scoville 2nd Edition
Publisher:Trick or Treat Studios Designer: Ed Marriott Release Window: Q1 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
This game made my 2024 most anticipated list but it looks like it will show up one more time before the game arrives. Scoville is a pepper farming game that I’ve always wanted to play but with it being out of print, I wasn’t willing to pay the inflated price.
Scoville is getting a brand new release from Trick or Treat Studios (Halloween, Blood Orders) and it has artwork from Vincent Dutrait. I’m so pumped to finally play this game and cannot wait for this new edition with its previously released expansion already in the box. Hopefully it will show up early in the year so that I get loads of time with the game in 2025.
House of Fado
Publisher:Eagle-Gryphon Games Designer: Vital Lacerda, João Quintela Martins Release Window: Q1 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ric
When we played Speakeasy with Ryan, I was definitely a fan. However, I know that I will rarely be able to get a game that complex and that lengthy onto the table with my friends and family. It’s just not in the cards for me these days. Or the dice. Or the meeples.
So that’s why I’m excited about the release of House of Fado from Eagle-Gryphon Games. Even before I knew it was a Lacerda co-design, I was drawn in by the artwork and concept, as was my wife (which is likely more important if I’m wanting the chance to play). There seem to be plenty of important choices to make as you control your restaurant, hoping to feature the best music to attract the most customers.
A small box with big decisions and cool artwork? These days, that’s my sweet spot.
Publisher: Restoration Games Designer: Lots of people Release Window: Q3 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan and Ric
You know that Unmatched has to show up on this list somewhere. Unmatched Adventures was a big hit for us in 2023 and when you throw the Ninja Turtles into the mix, oh snap! I’m excited to see how each of the turtles play against other Unmatched fighters. Restoration Games does such a great job of creating a co-op experience, and this time you’ll go toe-to-toe with Shredder and Krang.
TMNT is a license that so many people are excited for. It’s not often that an 80’s kid and their 19 year old kid are excited about the same game. Unmatched Adventures: TMNT should be arriving to Kickstarter backers at the tail-end of summer. Look for this to hit retail around fall of 2025.
ULTRAMASSIVE
Publisher:Studio Unknown Designer: Alex Greenberg & Jacob Phillips Release Window: Q3 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Phil
I had the pleasure of being introduced to ULTRAMASSIVE at One Board Day and am quite eager to get this on the table at home. This strategy game invites you to take the role of a fledgling black hole with one simple goal: get BIGGER! This is carried out by manipulating two tracks on your player board, adding matter or antimatter and delivering it to the center to fuel your growth.
Incorporating drafting, engine building and clever manipulation of player boards via wormholes and gravity, ULTRAMASSIVE presents itself as an excellent introduction to strategy gaming with enough complexity to keep veterans puzzling out new strategies. What I saw in my demo session seemed like a perfect match of theme to mechanics and I look forward to the final product.
Botswana
Publisher:25th Century Games Designer: Reiner Knizia Release Window: Q3 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
About 6 years ago, Bob Crowell introduced me to Quandary, an out of print game by Milton Bradley from Reiner Knizia. My immediate reaction was “how come this is out of print?!”. Eagle-Gryphon Games brought back the game under the title Botswana, then Wildlife Safari. This summer, 25th Century Games is bringing Botswana back into print with completely new artwork from the phenomenal Weberson Santiago.
This is one of Reiner’s more simple designs with players placing an animal card and drafting one of the animal types from the center of the table. Once the cards of one animal type are all on the table, the game ends. Players get points based on the top card value for each animal type that they have. This is such a great filler game and with the new artwork, I cannot wait to introduce the family to Botswana.
Power Creep
Publisher:PNP Arcade Publishing Designer: Jason Greeno, Jason Tagmire Release Window: January 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ric
Print-and-play games are becoming the main thing I purchase on Kickstarter these days. They’re significantly cheaper, they take up way less room, and they often provide just as strong of a gameplay experience.
Dungeon Pages stood out back in 2023 with its unique approach and solid gameplay. A fun recreation of a classic dungeon crawler, you used dice to help you navigate around, defeat enemies, and collect items. The base game came out with a few maps and characters, which you could mix and match together to your liking. Dangerous Space used the same format with some extra bells and whistles. I’ve played through both, and while they kicked my butt several times, I kept coming back to the games, hoping a better approach or character choice would improve my chances.
Power Creep promises to take the best parts of both games and make an even better overall experience. Plus, the creators are continuing with their year-long support option in which they’ll release a new map every week of 2025, along with a new character every month. I’ve not tried this out with the other titles, so I’m excited to start playing once the content begins delivering in January.
Spooktacular
Publisher:Level 99 Games Designer: D. Brad Talton Jr. Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
Last summer I got to play a digital version of Spooktacular with a member of the Level 99 team. This game puts players in the role of monsters that are haunting a movie theater in the 80’s. Each monster has unique abilities and powers that will help you terrorize the patrons of the theater.
Each monster has a movie poster tied to them and is a throwback to a movie monster from the past. I loved the flow of this game and was really impressed with the amount of player choices that come in the box. Level 99 Games has a hit on their hands and I’m ready to check out the final product when it becomes available later this year.
Popcorn
Publisher: iello Designer: Victor Saumont Release Window: Q2/Q3 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
I love the theme of running a movie theater and trying to find the right movies to fit the audience. Popcorn is a bag building game where players will build their theater, then draw audience members from their bag to pair them with the right experience.
Over nine rounds, players are building and even stealing patrons from other players using advertising. If this game is as fun as it sounds, this might be a “must buy” for us this year. It sounds a little like the tableau building game Funfair which is another favorite of mine.
I sometimes get sucked into scrolling through Kickstarter for an hour or two, seeing if I can find something awesome I’ve never heard of. That’s what happened with Eternal Decks. I didn’t see or hear ANYTHING about this title, but I’m hopeful it catches some attention once it hits tables early next year.
What you’ve got is a cooperative card-playing game in which you’re all working together to complete different stages. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to unlock an Eternal, which will add more cards to a player’s deck.
I’m hopeful that the challenges will increase as you go from stage to stage, and that you’ll have to make important choices as to who gets what cards and when. I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity here for a special game built on an easy-to-learn rules set. We’ll get to find out early next year!
My kids and I spent so many hours playing Don’t Starve on Playstation over the years. I’m really intrigued with how this game will play out as a tabletop experience. They have a solid track record of bringing video game content to the board game space which is promising.
Don’t Starve: The Board Game should launch any time now on Kickstarter. I have some concern that we may not see this project on the table this calendar year. If you’re a fan of this digital game, chances are that you’ll be watching this project like we are.
RA and Write
Publisher:25th Century Games Designer: Reiner Knizia Release Window: Q2 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan and Erin
Last year, we were excited to see a flip and write game associated with the classic bidding game RA. This new game from Dr Knizia is such a streamlined experience that is still rooted in the original game. RA and Write was one of our favorite games we played in 2024 and we’re excited to have the fully published game this coming year.
While I’m (Ryan) a big fan of the original RA, Erin absolutely adores RA and Write. The bidding mechanic is removed and players are choosing their path from the cards that are rolled out each turn. Flipping out the third RA card will end the era, triggering scoring for that portion of the game. RA and Write should be here before the summer which means that this is probably the game you’ll see on our table all summer long.
The Dark Quarter
Publisher:Lucky Duck / Van Ryder Games Designer: Evan Derrick Release Window: Q1 2025 Excitement Level: Nominated by: Ryan
Way back in the year 2022, Lucky Duck and Van Ryder Games combined forces to create a game called The Dark Quarter. This narrative driven game brings players into the dark and seedy underbelly of New Orleans in the 1980’s. Raising over a million dollars through Kickstarter, this is a game that I’m excited to see finally arrive on the game table.
Backers of the game will be receiving the game at the start of the year, with the game hitting retail later in the year. Lucky Duck has a proven track record with creating immersive experiences using a digital companion (Chronicles of Crime, Destinies). We’ll definitely be sharing our experience once this game finally hits our hot little hands.
In Battlestar Galactica can a character use actions from cards while in the brig or is the sole action available to the character, during his turn, is to try to get out? Also can other action cards that have effects on rolling, crisis resolution, etc. be used? Thanks in advance for the help!
Some weeks ago, an enterprising YouTuber, Andrew Choong, with his delightful British accent, posted several videos singing eloquent praise of GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas: a seminal game of the American Civil War at sea and the major rivers of North America by Mark McLaughlin (Mark and I enjoyably teamed together on several GMT games over the years).
First, readers should know that while Rebel Raiders on the High Seasis currently out of print and unavailable for purchase directly from GMT, the game remains available via the “after-market” and, most conveniently and importantly, can be electronically obtained for play via Vassal!
Yes, the talented Joel Toppen, who most recently assisted Mark and I by creating a wonderful Vassal Module for Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East, authored a fine Rebel Raiders on the High SeasVassal Module. Here’s the link to access it: Category:GMT Games – Vassal. Then there’s Joel’s detailed description of how the Module works: Rebel Raiders on the High Seas – Inside the Game.
Furthermore, Joel so enjoyed the game that he did this interesting and entertaining Review /Description /Retrospective After Action Report (of a December 1864 clutch Union win, “snatching victory from the jaws of defeat”, as Joel incredulously puts it) of playing the physical game: Rebel Raiders – Inside the Game
Ah, but if the preceding entices you, dear reader, here are links to what Andrew Choong more recently released via YouTube!
Thank you Andrew and Joel for these video creations which so well show-case the game as well as your respective articulate, enthusiastic presentation skills, skills that could hopefully rekindle the GMT family’s interest in Rebel Raiders on the High Seas!
Odd creatures are lurking in the woods. Your job is to collect these creatures and out score your opponents in this cutthroat card game from Twisted Branch Games. Let’s get to know these odd little creatures that make up this game.
An Odd Collection
Players are creating a tableau of cards from the carious woodland creatures they find during the game. Each round of Oddities is marked by a Season card which dictates which creatures they can collect in that round. Simple oddities are common and are the most common card that you’ll come across. Rare oddities have unique magical abilities that will help strengthen your collection.
At the start of your turn, draw the top card off the deck, adding a new card to your hand. Then, play a single action on your turn. You can “search” by drawing another card, “strengthen” by playing a card into your collection, “sabotage” lets you play a misfit oddity into another players collection, or you can “strike” which lets you play a quirk card.
A players collection sits in front of them, scoring a single point for each oddity. Specific oddities give additional points and misfits will add a wrinkle to your collection. The sabotage action adds some “take that” to the game. Ultimately, players are racing to be the first one to have six points in their collection.
Watch Out for the Misfits
Oddities gameplay is a quick teach and easy to understand. Each card has an icon designation that makes it easy to recognize the card type. There are four different seasons in the game that get drawn at the start of the round. During the Winter season, only oddities with the Winter icon, or the “any season icon” can be played. Keeping a variety of oddities in your hand gives you the flexibility to play into your collection across the various rounds.
Misfit cards can be played in any season and will target another player at the table. These cards are mostly inconvenient but can be removed through various rare oddity abilities or quirk effects.
Quirk cards are effects that immediately take place when they are played. Some of these cards can be down right mean when they wreak havoc on your collection. Some quirk cards can also protect your collection from your opponents.
Oddities is a solid card game for families who are looking for a game that everyone can play. The cards are pretty straight-forward and the game supports up to eight players. Erin and I both enjoyed the game at two players, but noticed some balance issues. The team at Twisted Branch Games is addressing this by modifying the deck at that player count.
I really enjoy the whimsical look of the creatures in Oddities. The game is cute and even my daughters remarked on the art throughout the game. We had the most fun with Oddities at three to five players (we didn’t play at the highest count). Since misfit and quirk cards can target your opponents, it was nice having a couple options when choosing who to target.
If you’re looking for a fun easy to teach card game with charming artwork, Oddities is a game you should definitely check out.
Oddities is being funded through Kickstarter by Twisted Branch Games. Check out the campaign that launches on February 2, 2025.
A prototype of the game was provided for this coverage. Components and rules covered in this preview are not finalized. Read more about our preview policies at One Board Family.
I’ve been internally referring to August as ‘Big Month’ for the past few weeks but the more time I spend sort-of-planning-it-out the more I realise a better way to describe it might be ‘CHAOS MONTH’.
We’ve got some videos planned! What are they, and when are they coming out? Science bears no answers.
Podcasts? Oh yeah, we’ve got a few, and they’ll be near your ears… soon? Yeah, probably! Help.
Please bear with us, for August is the month that we’re actually launching the studio stuff to donors at the same time as both Matt and Quinns taking time off. I’m truly laying the train track whilst it runs, Gromit-Style. Wish me luck!
Helo can do anything other than move or take actions while stranded, i.e. he skips the Movement Step and the Action Step during his turn. He still does the Receive Skills and Crisis steps. He still participates in skill checks, can use his once per game ability, etc. Other than skipping Movement and Action, he can do anything any other player can do.
More than a decade ago, Assassin’s Creed 3 came out, serving as the follow-up to a trio of well-received games featuring fan favorite character Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Set during the American Revolution and featuring a more stoic protagonist, far removed from the previous games’ roguish Ezio, AC3 garnered a reputation among many players for being a series misstep. Approached with fresh eyes and many years of hindsight, though, it’s easier to see that Assassin’s Creed 3 is perhaps the strongest AC to date thanks to its unique world design and strong story. Now, anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to the more recent Assassin’s Creed Shadows is in luck as AC3 is currently available at a steep discount.
Assassin’s Creed 3 takes the series’ stealth game design out of the European cities of the AC2 trilogy and into the forests, waters, and less densely constructed settlements of North America. Because of this choice, players spend as much time clambering between tree limbs as they do scaling towers, and, in one of the smartest expansions to the AC formula, take part in naval battles.
Aside from the change in setting, Assassin’s Creed 3 stands out for an engaging exploration of its time period, which follows the birth of the United States from the perspective of a protagonist whose parents are Mohawk and British and whose personal journey across the game reflects the chaos of the era. The ‘present day’ plot line is as drab as most of the series and the game is still plagued by the repetition and bloat of many Assassin’s Creed entries, but, for those willing to overlook its flaws, there’s plenty to appreciate.
Assassin’s Creed 3 Remastered is currently available with a 75% discount, bringing its price down to $9.99 USD / £8.49. Grab a copy on Steam right here.
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