Industry Developments Briefing
May 28 - June 4, 2025
This week was dominated by a record-breaking UK Games Expo, highlighting robust community growth. The market saw a mix of IP-driven and original game releases, while crowdfunding remained strong. Publisher news was marked by logistical challenges and a potentially impactful US court ruling on tariffs, painting a picture of a vibrant industry navigating global economic factors.
Spotlight: UK Games Expo 2025
The UK Games Expo, held from May 30 to June 1, was the week's main event, demonstrating significant growth and solidifying its place as a top-tier international convention. This section explores key attendance metrics, highlights the most talked-about games, and presents the winners of the coveted UKGE awards.
Unique Attendance
>42,000
+7% vs. 2024
Total Gate Attendance
>72,000
+10% vs. 2024
Hachette UK Sales Growth
+150%
vs. 2024
Attendance Growth (2024 vs 2025)
Hot Games & Demos
UKGE Awards 2025
Explore the award-winning titles. Use the buttons to switch between the People's Choice and Judge's selections.
Market Watch
This section provides a snapshot of the current marketplace, covering new games that hit the shelves this week, highly anticipated titles available for pre-order, and standout campaigns from the vibrant world of crowdfunding. It reflects the diverse products moving through the industry pipeline.
New on the Shelves (May 28 - June 4)
On the Horizon: Pre-Orders
Crowdfunding Spotlight
Hot RPG Campaigns
Publisher Pulse
Here we focus on the operational side of the industry, from major publisher updates to significant economic news. This week features Cephalofair Games' detailed progress report on its *Gloomhaven* projects amidst logistical challenges and a landmark court ruling on tariffs that could have wide-reaching effects.
Cephalofair Games: The Gloomhaven Dispatch
Updates as of June 3, 2025. Click each topic to expand.
Quick News from Other Publishers
The Final Roll: Week in Review
The week was dynamically shaped by the immense success and scale of the UK Games Expo, vividly demonstrating the continued growth and international appeal of the board game hobby. The event not only broke attendance records but also served as a critical platform for new game announcements, product demonstrations, and community engagement, solidifying its status as a "mega-con."
Alongside the convention buzz, the regular rhythm of the industry continued with a steady stream of new retail releases and active crowdfunding campaigns. Publishers are clearly catering to a diverse market, with offerings ranging from highly anticipated IP-based games to innovative original designs and niche wargames. The robust activity on platforms like Kickstarter further highlights the community's direct role in bringing new tabletop experiences to life.
Underpinning these positive trends are significant economic realities, most notably the impact of US tariffs on imported goods. In this context, the Court of International Trade's May 28th ruling that certain tariffs are unlawful stands out as a potentially transformative development. Should this lead to tangible relief, it could ease financial pressures across the US publishing landscape, fostering a more stable economic environment for an industry heavily reliant on international manufacturing.
