Stonemaier Games, a major US-based tabletop game publisher known for hits like Wingspan and Scythe, has joined a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump in response to new US tariffs on Chinese imports. These tariffs, which have soared to 145%, are dramatically impacting the board game industry, which heavily relies on Chinese manufacturing. Stonemaier’s president, Jamey Stegmaier, explained that the company faces nearly $1.5 million in upcoming tariff costs on pre-produced inventory. With no grace period for goods already in production, the publisher is now storing stock in China and selectively shipping to the US to avoid unsustainable costs, while also encouraging other affected companies to join the lawsuit.

The tariffs have already led to significant disruptions within the industry, including layoffs and halted operations. Greater Than Games, another respected publisher behind Spirit Island and Sentinels of the Multiverse, has been forced to reduce staff and suspend all new projects due to the rising costs. Parent company Flat River Group cited “economic pressures” as the reason, and although in-stock products remain available, the company’s future projects—many crowdfunded and long-awaited—are now uncertain. Industry insiders warn that these tariffs could deal a blow worse than COVID-19, threatening the survival of small publishers and disrupting supply chains across the US tabletop gaming community.

Evil Hat Productions has announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to produce a print edition of Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts, an expansion to the popular indie tabletop RPG created by John Harper. Previously released in digital form, Deep Cuts introduces a wealth of new material to enrich the game’s setting, Doskvol. It features 27 new factions, over 100 background and heritage packages, technological innovations, and the introduction of “Catalysts”—campaign-altering events. It also updates core mechanics, offering a streamlined advancement system, alternative action mechanics, and new rules for downtime and harm, making it a robust “director’s cut” of the original game.

The Heroes of Might and Magic TTRPG distinguishes itself in the crowded fantasy RPG space by focusing on epic, large-scale battles where players act as commanders of armies. Set in the iconic world of Enroth, the game adapts the 2d20 system and includes dramatic campaigns like “The Restoration of Erathia.” 

Kickstarter recently suspended Don Simpson’s crowdfunding campaign for Megaton Man: Multimensions, a 214-page comic anthology, due to the inclusion of four pages by Iranian artist Milo Trent—sparking outrage from creators and supporters. Simpson, a veteran of the indie comics scene, refused to remove Trent’s work, criticizing Kickstarter’s vague and unaccountable policies, which appeared to reject the project based solely on Trent’s nationality. Despite the project’s diverse and celebrated lineup, which includes major names like Alan Davis and Stephen Bissette, and its readiness for publication through Cosmic Lion, Kickstarter cited “safety and trust” concerns without clear guidance or opportunity for appeal. Contributors and colleagues have condemned the decision as censorship and discrimination, with many rallying behind Simpson and seeking alternative funding platforms. The incident highlights growing concerns about algorithmic overreach and opaque decision-making by major crowdfunding platforms.

#heroesofmightandmagic #stonemaier #deepcuts #megatonman

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