The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Expo wrapped up in Louisville earlier this month, and while it is a trade-focused event rather than a consumer convention, the trends on display tell us a lot about where the hobby is heading.
The biggest takeaway? Big boxes are out, small boxes are in. Publisher after publisher that typically showcases $60-80 games had pivoted to offering titles in the $20-40 range. Rising production and shipping costs are partly to blame, but there is also a genuine consumer shift towards more casual, quicker-playing, and affordable games. If your group has been gravitating towards lighter fare on game nights, you are not alone — the whole industry is following suit.
Meanwhile, the trading card game space is approaching critical mass. The number of companies producing, planning, or accessorising TCGs has exploded. Between the Cyberpunk TCG smashing Kickstarter records, Disney Lorcana continuing to grow, and One Piece TCG's relentless expansion, it is clear that collectible card games are having their biggest moment in years.
On the flip side, the miniatures segment is struggling. Tariff increases have pushed prices up, squeezing both publishers and players. Several miniatures-focused publishers were notably scaling back.
As for the games themselves, standouts on the show floor included Gunsen: The Battle For Toshi Ranbo as the best big-box offering, Dungeon Crawler Carl: Unstoppable from Renegade as a surefire hit in the deckbuilder category, and Flip 7: With A Vengeance for the lighter end of the market. WizKids also announced Mage Knight: Emergence, a new standalone entry in the beloved solo adventure series, due May 2027.
The show set an attendance record this year, which bodes well for the health of the industry even as it adapts to changing economics. The message from Louisville is clear: the hobby is thriving, but the shape of what lands on your table is shifting.