Gloomhaven 2E in Limbo: Trump Tariffs Paralyze Cephalofair Games

The eagerly anticipated Gloomhaven 2E and other Cephalofair Games products are caught in a devastating limbo, trapped overseas by the escalating Trump tariffs. This week, Cephalofair Games COO, Price Johnson, revealed to CNN that a staggering $1.2 million worth of their product, representing about 60,000 units across 25 forty-foot containers, is being held hostage by the sudden and drastic tariff increases.

The crux of the issue? A jaw-dropping 145% tariff now imposed on goods from China. Johnson explained that Cephalofair Games manufactured these products when the tariff rate was zero, making the current financial burden utterly untenable. “We’re being told unless we pay the US government a 145% tariff tax bill, we’re not getting that product,” he stated, highlighting the stark reality facing the company.

For those unfamiliar, a tariff is essentially a tax on imported or exported goods. While its effects ripple across the entire economy, the tabletop gaming industry is particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on overseas manufacturing, primarily in China.

The situation is dire, forcing Cephalofair Games to seriously reconsider its U.S. operations. As Johnson put it, “We’re going to need to pivot essentially all of our U.S. sales operations.” The daily volatility and unpredictability of the market have effectively halted sales in the U.S., as the financial viability of bringing Gloomhaven 2E and other titles under these tariffs shifts “every day.”

The lack of domestic manufacturing options adds another layer of complexity. Cephalofair Games is now compelled to explore expanding its operations outside the U.S., a painful decision driven by the absence of government incentives or infrastructure to support domestic production. Even the machinery required to manufacture these games is sourced from China, highlighting the industry’s deep reliance on the region.

This crisis hits Cephalofair Games particularly hard, given the overwhelming success of their Gloomhaven 2E crowdfunding campaign, which garnered over $5 million on BackerKit, alongside the Gloomhaven RPG and a second printing of Frosthaven. The backers who eagerly supported these projects are now left in a state of uncertainty, as the exorbitant tariffs make it financially impossible for Cephalofair to bring their products stateside.

Cephalofair Games is not alone in this predicament. The escalating Trump tariffs are creating a ripple effect throughout the tabletop gaming industry, forcing publishers to make difficult choices that threaten their viability.

It’s important to note that the U.S. Constitution grants tariff power exclusively to Congress, meaning they have the authority to intervene and halt these tariffs. As the fate of Gloomhaven 2E hangs in the balance, concerned backers and industry enthusiasts are being urged to contact their representatives and voice their concerns. The future of this highly anticipated game, and potentially the broader tabletop gaming landscape, depends on it.