Hachette becomes exclusive UK, Ireland distributor for Captain Flip publisher PlayPunk, taking over from Asmodee UK

Hachette has signed an exclusive UK and Ireland distribution deal with Captain Flip publisher PlayPunk, the board game studio launched three years ago by 7 Wonders and Hanabi designer Antoine Bauza and Repos Productions co-founder Thomas Provoost.

The French publishing giant will take over UK and Ireland distribution from Asmodee UK for PlayPunk’s existing titles, the Spiel des Jahres-nominated Captain Flip and Kennerspiel recommended title Zenith, and upcoming expansions Captain Flip: Isla Bomba and Zenith: Secret Agents.

The deal comes a month after Codenames and SETI publisher Czech Games Edition signed its first-ever distribution agreement with Hachette – for the UK distribution of its new title Wispwood – following a decade of Asmodee being the sole distribution partner for its titles in the country.

A statement from PlayPunk said, “We are more than delighted to be working with the Hachette UK team. They are true enthusiasts who have shown nothing but genuine passion for our two games.

“We are confident that Captain Flip, Zenith, and our future titles are in good hands!”

Hachette Boardgames UK CEO Flavien Loisier added, “We are humbled to work with PlayPunk. They have immense industry experience and knowledge, and have set out to produce high-quality, long-lasting games developed with passion and attention to every single detail.

“We can see that passion in the two brilliant titles they have already published. It is their goal to create ageless, evergreen games that make them and their titles a perfect fit for our portfolio. We are beyond excited about this partnership!”

Hachette began a heavy push into board games in 2019 by picking up French tabletop publisher and distributor Gigamic, French distributor Blackrock Games, and by founding in-house publishers Studio H and Funnyfox.

It has since gone on to buy publishers including Le Scorpion Masqué, Sorry We Are French, Catch Up Games, La Boîte de jeu and Hiboutatillus, Canadian board game distributor Randolph, and now runs Hachette branded board game operations in the US, UK and the Benelux region.

Hachette Boardgames UK, which was launched in 2021, currently localises and distributes more than 200 games in the UK and Ireland.

Other distribution deals signed by Hachette Boardgames in the last couple of years have included taking over US distribution rights for Super Meeple from Asmodee USA, scoring a deal to distribute MicroMacro publisher Edition Spielwiese‘s games in the US and UK, and picking up the UK rights for distributing Trefl games.

Bauza and Provoost officially unveiled PlayPunk in the summer of 2023, almost a year after it began quietly hunting for prototype designs to craft into finished games.

Bauza made a name for himself with Ghost Stories in 2008, before going on to design the widely lauded 7 Wonders in 2011 and Spiel des Jahres winner Hanabi in 2013. His other games include 7 Wonders Duel, Draftosaurus, Conan and Terror in Meeple City.

Provoost previously co-founded 7 Wonders and Ghost Stories publisher Repos Productions in 2004, before selling the business to board game giant Asmodee six years ago.

Bauza explained the pair’s decision to strike out and launch their own publisher in this extensive interview with BoardGameWire in 2023.