Essen Spiel 2025: Discover the IPA Lineup

Essen Spiel, the world’s biggest board game convention, will take place in Germany from October 23 to 26.

For publishers, it’s the perfect stage to unveil their most exciting releases of the year and our IPA members are bringing plenty to the table! You can already explore all their upcoming titles through the BGG Essen Preview lists.

Here’s a glimpse at what each of them is preparing for the show. All these games will be available at stand 3F120 / 3F110 in the IPA area.

• Matagot (France)

Matagot brings a wide range of highly anticipated titles to Essen this year. The spotlight will be on The Peak Team, a brand-new cooperative/solo game by Scott Almes where Rangers must work together to complete missions in a natural reserve.

Alongside these, Matagot will present recent favorites such as Astérix & Co and the new edition of Mission: Red Planet, a Bruno Cathala & Bruno Faidutti classic, alongside other surprises ! 

• Grail Games (Australia)

Grail Games specializes in card-driven titles and Euro-style designs that are easy to teach and endlessly replayable. The studio also breathes new life into forgotten classics, with updated visuals and refined mechanics.

At Essen, they will showcase the colorful Pixel series (Aliens Attack, Harvest Valley, Ohio Bob) and Pocket series (Tango, Small Fjords, Farm Hand,) alongside two eccentric euro titles: Night Soil and Fantasy Brewers !

• Kolossal Games (USA)

Kolossal Games has been creating epic, visually striking titles since the mid-2010s, with a strong focus on immersion and thematic depth. Known worldwide for Western Legends, their open-world adventure set in the Wild West, Kolossal has also built a reputation as a crowdfunding veteran with over a dozen successful campaigns.

At Essen, they will spotlight the new edition of Inis, the classic area-control game inspired by celtic mythology. 

• Aporta Games (Norway)

Aporta Games is renowned for creating elegant Euro-style titles that balance streamlined gameplay with strategic depth. From The Magnificent and Revive to Trails of Tucana, their designs have earned critical acclaim for being both accessible and engaging.

At Essen, they will present Norsewind, a new strategy game that continues their tradition of blending clean mechanics with strong thematic flavor.

• Alion Games (Norway)

Alion Games focuses on narrative-driven and thematic titles that combine originality with strong atmosphere.

At Essen, they will present Recall, a story-rich game built around memory and mystery, and Tax the Rich, a playful yet biting political satire turned into a social experience.

• Chilifox Games (Norway)

Chilifox Games is a Norwegian publisher founded in 2020, focusing on light-to-medium strategy and family-friendly titles. Their lineup blends accessibility with engaging gameplay, making their designs welcoming for a wide audience.

At Essen, they’ll present Fortunes of Scoundrel Bay, a highly interactive pirate adventure where players recruit crews, battle sea monsters, and race for treasure across the archipelago.

• Moon Gate Design (China)

Moon Gate Design develops original tabletop games that draw inspiration from Chinese history, traditions, and mythology. Their titles combine innovative mechanics with rich cultural elements, offering players a unique and engaging experience.

At Essen, they will showcase Panda Spin, an innovative shredding game by Carl Chudyck, and Mandate of Heaven, its new expansion. 

• Frost Bite Games (Canada)

Frost Bite Games, formerly Maple Games, focuses on heavier strategy titles for dedicated players.

Known for delivering well-crafted, tactical experiences, the studio will present Manhattan Project: Energy Empire at Essen, a modern classic of worker placement and resource management, now with a refreshed edition that showcases their signature attention to detail.

If one of these titles catches your eye, giving it a thumbs-up on BGG makes a real difference! It helps increase visibility and allows more players to discover the games ahead of the show. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the event !