Greater Than Games: A Casualty of the Tariff Wars

The board game community is reeling today with the news that Greater Than Games, a beloved publisher known for titles like Sentinels of the Multiverse and Spirit Island, has suspended all new projects and reduced staff, effective immediately. The announcement, initially shared by Creative Director Darrell Louder on Facebook, paints a stark picture: the escalating U.S. tariffs on goods from China have directly led to this devastating decision by their parent company, Flat River Group.

Louder’s words, “Due to current tariff war, Flat River Group has shuttered Greater Than Games effective today. Me and my team are now unemployed and disbanded. I’m shattered,” resonate with a profound sense of loss for the talented individuals behind these cherished games.

The move comes as the latest in a series of escalating import taxes, now reportedly at a staggering 145% on goods from China. For a company like Greater Than Games, which likely relies on manufacturing in China – a common practice in the board game industry – such exorbitant tariffs create an unsustainable financial burden.

A subsequent statement from Flat River Group confirmed the suspension of new projects but offered a glimmer of hope for existing fans. The company stated that their website would remain active, allowing customers to purchase in-stock items. Furthermore, they assured that “goods in the current catalog will still be produced as needed,” with updates promised at a later date for those who have backed upcoming products through crowdfunding or pre-orders.

The shuttering of new development at Greater Than Games marks a significant blow to the hobby games landscape. Since 2011, they have consistently delivered innovative and engaging gaming experiences, captivating players with their cooperative superhero battles in Sentinels of the Multiverse and the strategic depth of Spirit Island. Their acquisition by Flat River Group in 2021, while initially promising, has seen a noticeable slowdown in their release schedule, with projects like the Freedom Five board game taking an extended period to reach retail after a successful Kickstarter campaign.

This unfortunate news underscores the mounting pressure that the ongoing trade disputes are placing on the board game industry. Just yesterday, reports surfaced of over a million dollars worth of new games from other publishers being stranded in China, alongside warnings of impending price increases for consumers. The situation at Greater Than Games serves as a stark reminder that these tariffs have real-world consequences, impacting not only businesses but also the passionate communities that support them.

While Flat River Group’s distribution and fulfillment operations remain unaffected, the suspension of new projects at Greater Than Games leaves a void in the industry and raises serious concerns about the future of tabletop game development in the face of these economic headwinds. The gaming world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will allow creativity and innovation to flourish once again.