Board Games in Crisis: Tariffs, Shipping Chaos, and a Shifting Industry

What happens when an industry built on creativity runs headfirst into a wall of economic reality? Right now, the board game world is finding out — and the news isn't good.

A recent report from BoardGameGeek paints a troubling picture: surging tariffs and astronomical shipping costs are slamming the tabletop industry hard. Major publisher CMON is tightening its belt to survive, but for others, the situation is even worse. Boardlandia, a beloved game retailer, has announced it is closing its doors permanently, unable to keep up with skyrocketing costs and dwindling margins. Some publishers, faced with unbearable expenses, have made the grim decision to halt shipments to North America entirely.

These aren't isolated incidents — they're symptoms of a much larger crisis. Rising production costs, unpredictable logistics, and increased tariffs are reshaping the board game industry at every level. New game releases may slow dramatically. Prices will climb. The golden age of easy access to dazzling new titles from around the world may be drawing to a close — at least for now.

For gamers and creators alike, these changes threaten to fundamentally alter the landscape of the hobby we love. Innovation and adaptation will be critical in the months ahead, but make no mistake: the board game industry is facing one of its toughest battles yet.

To read the full, in-depth analysis, check out the original article on BoardGameGeek here.