The latest Kickstarter from Nick Murray's Bitewing Games is off to a fast start. The campaign for Arribada and Seagrass, two travel-friendly board games, blew past its $15,000 goal within hours of launching on 7 April and has already tripled it, sitting at over $46,000 with 419 backers.
Arribada is a set-collection game about sea turtles arriving en masse to nest on a beach. Players form groups of turtles in a Rummikub-style system of sets and runs, with groups needing at least three tiles to be valid. Seagrass takes players into reef ecosystems, exploring the underwater colonies that scientists call the "rainforests of the sea." Both games are designed to be compact and portable, with optional travel pack upgrades available through the campaign.
Bitewing Games has carved out a niche as a publisher of small-box, well-produced games. Their catalogue includes Reiner Knizia's Criminal Capers Collection, Soda Smugglers, and the well-received EGO. Murray, who splits his time between game publishing and dentistry (yes, really), has built a reputation for working with top designers and delivering polished productions.
The average pledge of $111 per backer suggests people are going all in on both games plus the travel packs. With 15 days still remaining, the campaign is trending toward a projected total of nearly $400,000. These look like solid picks for a game night bag, and if you need a group to play them with, find a game night near you.
Sources: Kickstarter | Kicktraq | Bitewing Games
