French board game publisher Don't Panic Games has opened its first US office in California, making a push to bring its growing catalogue to North American retailers.
Don't Panic has spent over a decade building a name in France through localisations of titles like Final Girl, Champions of Midgard, and Fantasy Realms. More recently, the company has been developing its own originals, including the abstract strategy game Above.
The new office is headed by Emma Recher, leading a three-person team. Their opening salvo includes Spyworld, Luminis, Above, and Maiko, with further releases planned each quarter through 2026.
The US expansion comes at an interesting time. Don't Panic acquired the rights to Hel: The Last Saga and Anastyr from CMON last September, rescuing two Kickstarter projects that had been bouncing between publishers since Mythic Games collapsed. Between Mythic and CMON, backers of those campaigns had been waiting years for their games. Don't Panic has promised to see both through to completion, offering original backers preferential pricing on pre-orders.
On the question of US tariff uncertainty, Recher acknowledged the challenges but said the team is planning conservatively and staying flexible with sourcing and logistics.
Distribution for Don't Panic's licensed titles (Attack on Titan, Cowboy Bebop) stays with Japanime Games, while historical and war titles like Fighters of the Pacific remain with Ares Games. The company's own originals will go through the new California office.
Sources: BoardGameWire | BoardGameWire - CMON IP sale