Sneak Peeks & Stretch Goals: November Crowdfunding Projects to Get Excited About

Crowdfunding plays a significant role in tabletop gaming, as it is the driving force behind the creation of many games. There are numerous platforms, including Kickstarter, Gamefound, Backerkit, and more. These platforms help bring plenty of different ideas to life, but crowdfunding has been a staple for a lot of publishers over time to make sure that they don't overprint the game, don't lose money on the game, or simply know there is interest from the general community to play their game.

Let's get to the nitty-gritty, though, and talk about three games that are expected to hit the crowdfunding market in November!

Kickstarter

Flickering Stars

Type of Game: Dexterity, Flicking, Pick-up and Deliver, Science Fiction

Number of Players: 2–4

Age: 8+

Time to Play: 30–60 mins

Designers: Matt Leacock and Josh Cappel

Artist: Vincent Dutrait

Publisher: PIKA Games

If you're looking for something a little different from your typical space-themed board game, Flickering Stars might be worth checking out. Designed by Matt Leacock and Josh Cappel, with artwork by Vincent Dutrait, this strategic dexterity game combines flicking mechanics with space exploration and tactical decision-making.

Players take control of their own fleets, flicking ships across the table to explore distant planets, collect valuable resources, and compete against rival fleets. However, this isn't simply a matter of aiming and hoping for the best. Every flick presents an opportunity to make meaningful decisions, requiring players to balance precision with their overall strategy.

What initially grabs my attention is the combination of dexterity and strategy. Flicking games can be a lot of fun, but adding resource collection and exploration gives players another layer to consider. You're not just trying to land your ships in the right spot; you're thinking about how each move contributes to your larger objectives and puts you in a better position against your opponents.

Another thing that stands out is the team behind the project. Matt Leacock is probably best known for designing Pandemic, while Josh Cappel has worked on a variety of titles across the tabletop space. Pairing their design experience with Vincent Dutrait's recognizable artwork and the promise of beautiful wooden components makes for an interesting combination.

The game has also been more than a decade in the making, which makes its journey to crowdfunding particularly interesting. After its original publishing plans fell through, PIKA Games picked up the project and is working to bring it to a new audience.

For me, Flickering Stars is an interesting take on the dexterity genre. I enjoy games that take a relatively straightforward concept and add enough strategic decisions to make every turn feel meaningful. Combining that with space exploration and some eye-catching production could make this one worth keeping on your radar.

Check out the campaign on Kickstarter here!

Through the Mountains and More

Type of Game: Abstract Strategy, Area Control, Tile Placement, Card Game

Number of Players: 2–4

Time to Play: 45 mins

Designer: Reiner Knizia

Artist: Hien Le

Publisher: Allplay

If you've been around the tabletop gaming community for a while, there's a good chance you've heard of Through the Desert. Designed by Reiner Knizia, this classic abstract strategy game is getting a sequel in Through the Mountains, and Allplay is bringing plenty of additional goodies along for the ride.

In Through the Mountains, players lead their yaks through mountainous terrain, looking to take advantage of valleys and temples while competing for the best positions on the board. Much like its predecessor, the rules are relatively simple, with players placing two yaks each turn. However, the addition of new terrain spaces creates some interesting decisions as the board begins to fill up.

The valleys provide opportunities for faster movement and additional choices, while temples allow players to place extra pieces. The challenge comes from figuring out when to take advantage of these spaces before your opponents beat you to them. It's a great example of how a relatively simple ruleset can create plenty of strategic possibilities.

But that's not all included in this Kickstarter! Alongside Through the Mountains, Allplay is offering Deluxe and Collector's Editions of Through the Desert, as well as two additional games: Triskel and 5 of a Kind.

Triskel is an abstract strategy game focused on connecting tiles into as few clusters as possible while strategically capturing your opponents' pieces. Meanwhile, 5 of a Kind takes inspiration from games like Balatro and Haggis, combining hand management, deckbuilding, and shedding mechanics to create some potentially interesting combinations.

I really like seeing a campaign offer a little something for different types of players. Whether you're interested in revisiting a classic with upgraded components, checking out its brand-new sequel, or trying something completely different with Triskel and 5 of a Kind, there's quite a bit to explore here.

Check out the campaign on Kickstarter here!

Gamefound

Too Little Time

Type of Game: Cooperative, Boss Battler, Dice Rolling, Adventure, Fantasy

Number of Players: 1–4

Age: 14+

Time to Play: 120–180 mins

Designer: Josh J. Carlson

Artists: Anthony LeTourneau, Federico Pompili, Yoann Boissonnet

Publisher: Chip Theory Games

Are you a fan of Too Many Bones? If so, Chip Theory Games has something that should grab your attention! Introducing Too Little Time, a brand-new adventure set in the world of Daelore that takes the familiar universe in a new direction.

This time around, players are tasked with saving Daelore from a threat that spans the past, present, and future. Using time-travel technology, the villainous Nobulous has teamed up with the TEMP Agency to launch attacks across different eras. Players will need to work together to take on dangerous enemies, battle powerful bosses, and navigate the unpredictable events that come with messing with time.

One of the more interesting aspects of Too Little Time is how it handles encounters and progression. Rather than simply drawing encounters that establish the setting of a battle, players will experience time rifts during combat that can introduce unexpected events. Each game features two major battles, first against an enforcer and then against a Tyrant.

What really stands out to me, though, is the way the game remembers your actions. Discoveries, relics, and loot can carry over between games, meaning that the decisions you make in one session can have an impact on future plays. That persistent progression adds an interesting layer of replayability without necessarily requiring players to commit to a traditional campaign experience.

While this is set in the same universe as Too Many Bones, it's important to note that Too Little Time is its own game rather than an expansion or a compatible version of the original. Chip Theory Games is taking the opportunity to introduce new mechanics and ideas while maintaining the humor and personality that fans have come to expect from Daelore.

Follow the campaign now on Gamefound!

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