German children’s book publisher ArsEdition launches board game arm under former Amigo, Ravensburger exec Volker Hirsch

German children’s book, gifts and stationery publisher ArsEdition has expanded into board games with the launch of a new publishing arm led by former Amigo and Ravensburger exec Volker Hirsch.

ArsEdition said it will focus on family-weight games for ages 6, 8, and 10 and up, with the opening slate of seven titles including Reiner Knizia designs Oshiya Tokio and Guardian of the Treasure, and Sophia Wagner’s Twilight Watch.

The publisher said it plans to focus on a mix of established and award-winning authors and illustrators, as well as promising newcomers, according to German trade magazine Das Spielzeug.

ArsEdition publisher CEO Dagmar Becker-Göthel said, “Games are a rapidly growing product category in the toy trade.

“Games are also becoming increasingly important in the book trade, offering exciting opportunities to expand the product range.

“Our games program ideally complements our existing offerings, leveraging our many years of experience in both program design and production and distribution.”

ArsEdition’s board game unit lead Volker Hirsch previously spent six years as creative director at Amigo Spiele until 2001, and has also since worked as head of product development at Ravensburger Digital, and as a partner at former Games Workshop collectible card games subsidiary Sabretooth Games.

The company says it plans to release new games twice a year, in the spring and the autumn.