In 2017, the debut of Gloomhaven marked a significant turning point for the tabletop gaming industry. This well-crafted board game, weighing nearly 18 pounds, included modular tiles, plastic miniatures, maps, and secret envelopes, offering a memorable experience over 100 unique sessions with friends and family. Its success and innovative nature reshaped consumer expectations for tabletop games, all credited to its creator, Isaac Childres, from Lafayette, Indiana.
However, the updated version, Gloomhaven: Second Edition, faces challenges overseas due to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on goods from China. These tariffs have surged from 145% to a staggering 245%, significantly increasing the costs Cephalofair Games, the game’s publisher, now struggles to bear. "These tariffs are a doomsday scenario for the US board game industry," said Childres in an email to Polygon, expressing concern over the feasibility of importing games under the current circumstances.
Price Johnson, COO of Cephalofair Games, revealed in a CNN interview that the company cannot afford to import the game under such tariffs and may have to completely pivot its U.S. sales strategy. With approximately 60,000 units held overseas and stark import costs potentially turning $1.2 million in initial costs to roughly $4.14 million, the situation appears dire.
Originally launched in 2023 through a successful BackerKit campaign that generated over $5 million, Gloomhaven: Second Edition shares this raised amount with other products yet to be manufactured. Tariffs threaten Cephalofair’s sustainability, and Johnson indicates they are now past the point where U.S. imports and sales are viable in the foreseeable future.
Beyond Cephalofair, the aftermath of these tariffs could lead to empty retail shelves and exacerbate the challenges for numerous other small publishers facing similar hurdles. Johnson emphasized the broader industry impact, reflecting on the strong ripple effect the tariffs will have.
Adding to the complexity, Johnson mentioned difficulty communicating concerns to his local congressman, which echoes frustrations as trade policies continuously evolve. Despite these hurdles, production proceeds in China without certainty about final shipment plans. Childres remains hopeful, focusing on potential solutions to ensure the game reaches its audience.
As the situation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing challenges of international trade dynamics, sparking questions about the broader impacts on smaller entities and the necessity for infrastructural changes to minimize reliance on foreign trade.
