French board game publisher IELLO has given Blue Orange USA exclusive first pick on bringing its titles to the US, having left former partner Flat River Group after it slashed its North American hobby game distribution operation.
Donald Trump's emergency tariffs are an "existential crisis" to board game companies and threaten tens of thousands of jobs in the industry, the Game Manufacturer's Association has said, amid joining its second lawsuit fighting the US President's ability to unilaterally impose the import charges.
Board game manufacturing major Panda says it plans to stick with its new Brazilian production operation, despite its first expansion outside of China immediately falling foul of a surprise 50% tariff announcement from the US.
Donald Trump's tariff policies and the restriction of liberties in the US are threatening the creation and release of new board games, the chairman of the Spiel des Jahres association told attendees at the high-profile award ceremony this year.
Board game distributor, publisher and e-commerce specialist Flat River Group has downsized again, with industry veterans Jules Vautour, Colin Young and Danni Loe leaving to revive distributor Luma Imports as part of ACD Distribution.
Restoration Games, the US board game publisher focused on reviving and rejuvenating classic titles, is benefiting from foresight in staffing up across the last year as the impact of tariffs continues to make itself felt upon the industry.
Board game manufacturing major Panda has expanded its production operation outside of China for the first time by launching a joint venture in Brazil, as unpredictability over US tariffs continues to weigh on the tabletop industry.
Board game giant Asmodee's plan to reignite its strategy of buying up smaller board game publishers and distributors remains "completely unchanged" by the tariffs volatility, with company CEO Thomas Koegler saying the uncertain times in fact "present opportunities for strategic acquisitions".
Part 2 of our ongoing series exploring the trials and tribulations of launching a board game-focused YouTube channel in 2025. JC Wollslager is now seven months into his attempt to “flip the script” on How To Play videos with his channel How To Teach, which he believes fills an underexplored niche in the industry. But the chaotic US tariffs situation is affecting more than just publishers and manufacturers - and in this edition JC details the impact on his fledgling channel, his mental health, and what the future holds for the project.
Elevated tariffs continue to threaten the board game industry despite a 90-day 'truce' between the US and China - with publishers now facing a spike in shipping prices and a battle for limited container space as businesses race to take advantage of the lower-tariff window.
