Board game designer and entrepreneur Jamey Stegmaier, known for successful titles such as Scythe and Wingspan, expressed concern over the future of the gaming industry this week. In a recent blog post, he described a challenging creative process, stating, “Last night I tried to work on a new game I’m brainstorming…but it’s really hard to create something for the future when that future looks so grim.” He referenced the newly introduced 54 percent tariff on goods imported from China as a significant factor in his somber outlook.
The majority of board games in the United States are manufactured in China, although Germany also has a presence in the industry. While some printed games can be produced domestically, the intricate components necessary for modern board games, such as custom dice and specialized wooden pieces, are largely unavailable in the U.S. Stegmaier noted the exorbitant costs of local production, recalling a quote of $10 for a basic game box from an American manufacturer, emphasizing that the same cost could produce an entire game in China.
Meredith Placko, CEO of Steve Jackson Games, echoed Stegmaier’s sentiments. In her own blog post, she addressed the challenges of U.S. manufacturing, stating, “Some people ask, ‘Why not manufacture in the US?’ I wish we could. But the infrastructure for full-scale board game production—specialty dice making, die-cutting, custom plastic and wood components—doesn’t meaningfully exist here yet.” Despite her efforts to find suitable factories, she confirmed that the necessary resources and timelines are lacking.
The implementation of new tariffs has instilled a sense of anxiety within the board gaming community, which typically operates on tight margins. Placko referred to the current situation as “not just a policy change” but rather “a seismic shift” for the industry, while Rob Daviau, co-founder of Restoration Games and designer of titles like Pandemic Legacy, described the atmosphere of recent meetings as one filled with existential dread regarding the industry’s future.
Daviau, a self-proclaimed pessimist, has been vocal about anticipated challenges, predicting a potential “great collapse in the hobby gaming market in the US” if the tariffs were enforced. While dedicated gamers are unlikely to stop playing altogether, they may choose to revisit older titles or shop exclusively online, further jeopardizing local game stores facing economic pressures. Alternatively, there is concern that quality may decline as companies seek to cut costs, which would have a negative impact on the gaming landscape.
Stegmaier’s outlook is similarly bleak. He projected that within months, many U.S. companies could face significant financial losses or even go out of business, leading to inflation for American consumers. Although it is possible for game makers to avoid tariffs by shipping directly to foreign distributors, the U.S. market remains vital; Stegmaier highlighted that 65 percent of his sales come from within the country, indicating that the tariffs will profoundly affect operations.
For games that are still in development, adaptation may be feasible, but those that have already been produced may face additional hurdles. Delays in shipping could lead to increased costs that must be absorbed by U.S. importers. Chris Solis of Solis Game Studio shared his frustration regarding this situation, stating, “I have 8,000 games leaving a factory in China this week and now need to scramble to cover the import bill.”
The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the trade organization for board game publishers, has been actively lobbying against the tariff measures, although notable success has yet to be achieved.
