This is a copy of the “script” we used to organise Brainwaves Episode 170. It is not a full transcript but should give you an overview of the news as we reported it. Quotes are in italics.
Headlines
Spiel breaks records
- On the 27th of October, SPIEL Essen, the world’s largest board game fair, which this year was held from the 23rd to the 26th of October, announced that the event broke a number of records.
- Not only had all tickets sold out 9 days before the event, but there were also a total of 220,000 visitors over the four days, which surpasses the previous record of 209,000 visitors set in 2019, as well as last year’s figure of 204,000 visitors.
- 948 exhibitors from 50 nations were in attendance, having more than 1,700 new games on show.
- To accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, a new exhibition hall, Hall 7, was added for 2025, which expanded the total area of the event to 77,500 m².
- Carol Rapp, Managing Director of Merz Verlag, said this about the extra space:
- “Actually, I didn’t want to open a new hall this year, but the demand for booth space from our exhibitors was so high that it was the only way we could fulfill the many requests. [Also] with Hall 7, we were able to increase the number of available tickets. The fact that we were nevertheless sold out again on all days is absolutely impressive.”
- Exhibitors were also very positive. Hermann Hutter, owner of Hutter Trade/Huch! and Chairman of the Spieleverlage e.V., had this to say about SPIEL Essen:
- “We see the enthusiasm for the topic every day at our booth; all our tables are continuously occupied. For us as exhibitors, that is one of the most rewarding aspects of the fair, the direct feedback from people. Here we meet the fans of our games in person. A lot of business takes place at the fair away from the gaming tables. We meet partners, designers, associations, and media who come from all over the world. There is nowhere else where you can cultivate contacts as efficiently as at SPIEL.”
- The fair also featured a large stage area in Hall 4, which meant the fair’s event programme was available directly from the show floor. Events included panels on industry careers, live role-playing games, cosplay performances, and discussions of international gaming events.
- Next year’s SPIEL Essen will be held from the 22nd to the 25th of October 2026.
Deutscher Spiele Preis 2025 Winners
https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/program/dsp
- The winners of the Deutscher Spiele Preis for 2025 have been announced.
- The Deutscher Spiele Preis is an annual community award, voted on by members of the public, that is completely separate from and independent of the Spiel des Jahres awards. The award’s winners are always announced during Spiel Essen, the world’s largest board game fair.
- This year’s winner of the main prize, the Deutscher Spiele Preis, which is given to family and grown-up games, went to SETI by Tomáš Holek from CGE and their German localisation partner HeidelBÄR Games.
- Endeavor: Die Tiefsee (Endeavor: Deep Sea) by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray from Frosted Games / Board Game Circus came second, followed by Bomb Busters by Hisashi Hayashi for Pegasus Spiele in third place.
- The Kinderspiel Preis, which goes to children’s games, went to Die kleinen Alchemisten (The Small Alchemists) by Matúš Kotry, also from CGE / HeidelBÄR Games.
Asmodee wants the precious
- Asmodee, the worldwide tabletop gaming giant, is about to become even larger.
- After Embracer Group split into 3 publicly traded companies in 2024, it saddled Asmodee with almost 900 million euros in debt. That doesn’t seem to have affected the company’s ambitions, as it has been, once more, on a bit of a buying spree.
- The next target for Asmodee is the Lord of the Rings franchise. In a recent acquisition, Asmodee has become the sole owner of all tabletop gaming licenses relating to Lord of the Rings. It has bought these rights from another of the Embracer spin-off groups, Middle Earth Enterprises. Middle Earth Enterprises is the licensor of all of Lord of the Rings and related properties across the globe.
- In a statement on the 7th of October on Asmodee’s site, the company said this:
- The goal is to provide Middle-earth fans with the best tabletop gaming experience through a coherent portfolio across all genres and audiences while growing Middle-earth Enterprises’ footprint in the industry. Existing licensing agreements between tabletop game publishers and MEE will continue in their current form.
- CEO of Asmodee,Thomas Koegler said this about the agreement:
- “Becoming the exclusive category manager for such iconic works is an exciting milestone and a testament to 25 years of a successful relationship with Middle-earth Enterprises.
- Our teams share a passion for connecting people, creating memorable experiences and immersive storytelling that have resonated with fans around the world. We’re looking forward to ensuring that high-quality, innovative tabletop games set in Middle-earth, whether coming from our studios or external publishers to Asmodee, continue to meet and exceed fan expectations. This also speaks to our broader commitment to maximizing strategic collaborations with IP owners to develop worlds that inspire players.”
- Middle Earth Enterprises’ CEO Leo Guinchard echoed this enthusiasm:
- “We’re excited to have Asmodee looking after our portfolio for tabletop games. With its unique combination of games creation, publishing and distribution capabilities, Asmodee has defined modern tabletop games for the past 30 years. This is an exciting new chapter in our long-standing relationship with Asmodee. We believe they are the best placed company to help make such an incredible world as Middle-earth, thrive.”
- Transparency: Oliver has done paid demo work for Asmodee.
Asmodee announces new studio
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60787/asmodee-launches-new-party-game-studio
- Not done with Asmodee quite yet. As we mentioned above, Asmodee seems to be on a bit of a buying spree.
- On the 14th of October, Asmodee announced the launch of Moodbox Games, a new US-based studio dedicated to developing party games for the mass market.
- Moodbox Games will be led by Kelli Schmitz, Director of Sourcing and Innovation for the social-play type, and Shaina Olmanson, Operations and Communications Manager.
- The company will focus on creating casual play titles aimed at broad consumer audiences.
- The new studio represents a strategic move by Asmodee to deepen its presence in the US mass-market segment of party games, complementing its existing catalogue and distribution network across more than 100 countries.
- Moodbox is already accepting submissions from designers and inventors at upcoming industry events, and is partnering with Hedyverse, a creative development studio founded by industry veterans Liza Keckler and Jessica Aceti. The collaboration aims to produce titles with strong visual appeal, quality components and accessible pricing.
- Jean‑Sébastien De Barros, Chief Product Officer and EVP Publishing at Asmodee, said this about the new studio:
- “We are thrilled to launch Moodbox Games studio. […] It will strengthen our presence in a category where Asmodee studios, such as Exploding Kittens and Zygomatic, are already seeing great success. I truly believe Moodbox will become a hub for creativity and innovation, giving inventive designers the space to explore new ideas and continue delivering engaging experiences for players in the US market.”
- There is one more Asmodee acquisition coming in the Updates.
Hasbro 3rd Quarter Results
https://www.rascal.news/sigil-suffered-a-slow-ignoble-death
- On the 23rd of October, Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2025.
- Revenue for the quarter amounted to approximately 1.39 billion US Dollars, representing an 8 % year-over-year increase. Operating profit was at 341.1 million US Dollars, a 13 % increase compared to 2024.
- The Wizards of the Coast & Digital Gaming segment delivered a revenue growth of 42%, led by a 55% increase in the performance of Magic: The Gathering, and a 21% rise in licensed digital gaming revenue. The operating profit for the segment rose by 39% to 252 million US Dollars, with a 44% operating margin.
- The report says that this growth was driven by releases like the Spiderman and Edge of Eternities sets for Magic.
TheConsumer Productssegment, which includes core brands such asNERF,Play-DohandMonopoly, as well as licensed partnerships such asStar WarsandMarvel, experienced a 7% decline in revenue down to 797 million US Dollars, primarily due to a decline in US retail orders, while operating profit decreased to 80 million US Dollars.- Chief Executive Officer Chris Cocks said this about the results:
- “Hasbro delivered another quarter of growth, highlighting the strength of our brands and Playing to Win strategy. Wizards of the Coast led the way as MAGIC: THE GATHERING continues to break records. […] With major announcements coming at The Game Awards in December, we’re poised to enter 2026 with momentum.”
- Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Gina Goetter added:
- “We managed tariff volatility with agility, protected margins through cost productivity and pricing discipline, and continued to advance our transformation initiatives.”
- For the full year of 2025, Hasbro now expects its revenue to grow in the high single digits and its operating margin to be between 22% and 23%.
- The results follow Hasbro’s strategy of shifting toward higher-growth areas such as digital gaming and licensing, and reflect the ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency.
Updates
Upper Deck goes back to the well
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60786/judge-rules-against-upper-deck-ravensburger-suit
- It’s been a while but Upper Deck are once more trying to get their hands on some of that Disney Lorcana money.
- Upper Deck started court proceedings against Ravensburger just before Disney Lorcana came out in September of 2023. They claimed that the designer of the game, Ryan Miller, took an idea he was developing for Upper Deck to Ravensburger when he was hired there. That idea became Disney Lorcana.
- The accusations started flying back in 2023 and have been plodding their way through the legal system for the last 2 years.
- Finally on the 3rd of October 2025 Judge Kymberly Evanson ruled in favour of Ravensburger dismissing all of Upper Deck’s claims. These included allegations of copyright infringement, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unfair competition.
- A final claim directly against the designer Ryan Miller is set to go to trial soon.
- In ruling for Ravensburger the court said this of the claims that Disney Lorcana bears resemblance to the game Rush of Ikorr that Miller was developing for them:
- “although the games are somewhat similar, ‘there is no more than the similarity that must unavoidably be produced by anyone who wishes to use and restate the unprotectable ideas contained’ in Rush of Ikorr and pre-existing TCGs.”
- The court also dismissed claims relating to the fact the Miller worked on Rush of Ikorr and Disney Lorcana at the same time due to him being only a freelancer with Upper Deck. It said he was not subject to any non-compete clauses because of his work status.
- Greg Tito, director of communication at Ravensburger said
- “This judgment is important for more than just this case, since Ravensburger’s steadfastness in rigorously defending against this lawsuit has protected game designers across the industry from this type of litigation in the future.
- “We stand by our game designers as we stand by all our employees to operate with integrity and honesty in the work of designing, manufacturing, and marketing games for millions of fans to enjoy for years to come.”
- Thanks to Boardgamewire for this story
Asmodee acquires Cthulhu Death May Die from CMON
https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/cthulhu-death-may-die-ip-and-games-now-part-of-asmodee
- On the 20th of October 2025, Asmodee announced the acquisition of the Cthulhu: Death May Die intellectual property and associated games from CMON, which has been in financial trouble for some time and is continuing to try to stabilise its operation.
- Cthulhu: Death May Die, a cooperative board game series designed by Eric M. Lang and Rob Daviau, was first released in 2019 following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The series has since expanded through multiple editions and scenarios, becoming renowned for its cinematic tension, thematic immersion, and high replayability.
- Asmodee’s acquisition includes the latest instalment, Cthulhu: Death May Die – Forbidden Reaches, which had raised 3.9 million US Dollars through crowdfunding on Gamefound.
- Despite the transition, CMON assures that existing backer pledges and rewards will remain unchanged, though delivery will be delayed.
- This acquisition is part of Asmodee’s broader strategy to enhance its presence in the crowdfunding space, complementing previous acquisitions such as the Zombicide franchise.
- Thomas Kœgler, Chief Executive Officer of Asmodee, said this of the acquisition:
- “The addition of Cthulhu: Death May Die strengthens our position in the cooperative and crowdfunding game segment and provides a platform for future growth and innovation in immersive board game experiences.”
News
Amigo games US shutters
- Amigo Games is a German-based publisher with a large variety of titles to its name with Bohnanza probably being its most famous title.
- The company has recently decided to shutter its US arm. In a statement on Blusky the company said this
- “In the past 12 months, even more uncertainty (in the US market) has been introduced. This year’s tariff disputes with the US, the lack of predictability, and significant additional costs gave the AMIGO management the final impetus to make the difficult decision to close Amigo Games Inc (the US branch of the company).
- Alexander Jost, CEO of the company goes onto give his thanks to the team at Amigo Games Inc, and says it is the right decision given the current circumstances.
Cards Against Humanity and against SpaceX
https://uk.pcmag.com/networking/160848/cards-against-humanity-we-forced-spacex-to-get-off-our-land
- Cards Against Humanity is well known for their outrageous game of the same title and also their publicity stunts with a humanitarian edge.
- In 2017, the company bought a plot of land, with funds raised from customers, on the Texas/Mexico border to protest against the then-imminent border wall being built by President Donald Trump.
- In September 2024, they announced they were suing SpaceX and its boss Elon Musk for trespassing on their land to test rockets as part of a planned Mars mission. The suit was going to go to trial next month, but it appears the companies have reached a settlement.
- In an email, Cards Against Humanity said SpaceX had:
- “admitted on the record that they illegally trespassed”.
- Cards Against Humanity did not, however, secure compensation for damages totalling $15 million, which Cards described as:
- ”the legal equivalent of throwing dust in our eyes and kicking us in the balls,”
- In an interview with PCMag, the company added:
- “A trial would have cost more than what we were likely to win from SpaceX… Under Texas law, even if we had won at trial (and we would have, given their admission to trespassing), we likely wouldn’t have been able to recoup our legal fees. And SpaceX certainly seemed ready to dramatically outspend us on lawyers.”
- The upside is that SpaceX has removed their construction equipment from our land and we’re able to work with a local landscaping company to restore the land to its natural state: devoid of space garbage and pointless border walls.”
D&D Club goes to court
- Sticking with legal matters, a gaming club in central London is embroiled in a legal battle over inappropriate contact by one of its owners with one of the many people who run tabletop games there.
- Arcadia Club, which opened in May, promised a £300 a month experience of workspace and “unlimited” sessions of Dungeons and Dragons, was set up by Raonaid Adrianna Ryn, with assistance from her ex-husband Alexander Forsyth and his wife Madeleine Wilson.
- Two allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour have been brought against Mr Forsyth, according to papers lodged with Central London County Court, both from May of 2025.
- “On 14 May, Ms Ryn received a message from a member of the Arcadia community making various allegations against Alexander Forsyth,”
- ‘“The person alleged that he had commented on their outfit and career in a way that made them feel uncomfortable and had followed that with a message to them about his and Ms Wilson’s involvement in kink clubs.
- “The affected party had just completed a trial shift on the bar and felt that this conversation was highly inappropriate, given the power imbalance.
- “On 23 May 2025, Ms Ryn received a further report of alleged wrongdoing by Alexander Forsyth.
- “He was alleged to have burst into one of the private games rooms, sat on the arm of the games master’s chair so that he was partly in her lap and cuddled her in front of a table of customers.”
- Mr Forsyth denies both the allegations, claiming Ms Ryn had told him previously the complaint “had no substance” and claims the second allegation was “confected” by Ms Ryn and her new partner Keiran Farr as part of a “hostile takeover”.
- Mr Forsyth and Ms Wilson were reportedly physically barred from the club, and said that Ms Ryn made false 999 calls claiming disturbance at the venue.
- Ms Ryn then said she was unable to access the company’s finance accounts, leading to losses of about £100,000, with Mr Forsyth withdrawing £32,000 which his lawyers claim was:
- “a director’s loan…to safeguard a portion of this sum and protect the company account. Any losses to the business have been caused by Ms Ryn and Mr Farr’s unlawful actions,”
- There is currently a back-and-forth about which parties own which percentage o shares in the business, but a settlement was reached regarding control of the financial records, and mediation will follow in the next two months. If that breaks down, next year there will be a trial.
- Discussion: The company’s website states that the club was “created as a safe and inclusive haven for people of every gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and neurotype, to build a meaningful and sustainable community. We believe that everyone should get to work and play in an environment where they can feel completely relaxed, and completely welcome.”
To this end, the website states the club operates a code of conduct, banning amongst other things “nonconsensually sexualising or sexually objectifying another person” or “nonconsensually touching a person in an intimate or sexual way”.
“You must not make other people into an audience for overt sexual activity whether in-character or out-of-character at an Arcadia Games venue. Everyone has different levels of comfort and we must respect each other’s boundaries,”
D&D Head brings back key talent
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60896/new-d-d-head-brings-back-key-talent
- Although the 2024 edition of D&D has been received pretty well by fans of the game, it has been a time of change within Wizards of the Coast Two key designers, Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, recently left for Darrington Press and the head of the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, Jess Lanzillo was replaced by Dan Ayoub.
- Dan has recently posted a photo to social media featuring himself alongside Tracy and Laura Hickman, Margaret Weiss and Joe Manganiello saying
- “Today I had the honour of welcoming these folks back home.”
- Weiss and the Hickmans are the talent behind the much-loved Dragonlance setting which was first published as a module for D&D in 1984 alongside a novel.
- Joe Manganiello is a Hollywood actor who is known to love D&D having run his own games and appeared in numerous Actual Play shows
- The image has sparked speculation that the Dragonlance setting will make a return for the current version of Dungeons and Dragons
Obituaries
Rob Wieland
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60796/r-i-p-robert-wieland
https://www.enworld.org/threads/gaming-journalist-rob-wieland-passes-at-age-48.715723
https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-robert-wieland
- Noted game designer and RPG advocate Rob Wieland has died at the age of 48
- Rob Wieland was a game designer with credits on Dungeons & Dragons, Shadowrun, and numerous other RPG games. He was a freelance writer who wrote about Geek Culture for the Milwaukee Record, Forbes and ENworld amongst others. Rob was a well respected member of the RPG community hosting Actual plays, writing criticism, and supporting lots of designers new and old.
- Many in the RPG community have expressed their sadness at his passing and a gofundme has been setup to help support his family.
- Thoughts of the BRainwaves team are with his friends and family
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newan
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783
Outro
Ca-Ton
- We have talked many times on this podcast about Catan, the cultural juggernaut from the late Klaus Teuber in 1995, and the various collaborations with popular culture that it has produced. We’ve had beer, we’ve had an Augmented Reality game ala Pokemon Go, and now… visual media.
- Netflix, purveyors of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bridgerton and many series that only last one series, has announced a triple bill of Catan-adjacent projects.
- Currently on the slate is a live action film, an animated film, and a TV series. WHat they’re going to be about is unknown at this time, but it’s safe to assume they’ll be based on the “Trade. Build. Settle” tagline of Catan, which dropped the “Settlers of…” moniker in 2015. All projects will be produced by Pete Fenlon, CEO of Catan Studios, Asmodee’s Darren Kyman, and Klaus’ sons, Guido and Benjamin Teuber.
- Guido and Benjamin said:
- “When our father Klaus Teuber first introduced Catan 30 years ago, he imagined an aspirational world where people would gather by trading, building and settling together — both at the table and beyond it. This collaboration with Netflix marks an exciting new chapter in that journey. For three decades, Catan has connected families and friends around the world. Now, we’re thrilled to see it inspire storytelling on a global stage — staying true to our father’s vision of creativity, strategy and human connection.”
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