Essen Spiel 2026: Discover the IPA Lineup!

Essen Spiel, the world’s biggest board game convention, will take place in Germany from October 22 to 25. 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 is coming this year with two highly anticipated titles: Star Trek: Space Hunt and Kanō.

In partnership with Gale Force Nine, Matagot is proud to announce the upcoming release of Star Trek: Space Hunt, a high-stakes team-based starship combat game. Combining the legendary Star Trek universe with the award-winning mechanics of the SONAR system, this title offers a seamless transition from underwater warfare to the far reaches of space.

Also coming is Kanō, a tile-placement and visual composition game brought to life by the hand-painted illustrations of renowned Kyoto-based artist Jun Sato, whose talent immerses you in the world of traditional Japanese art. Everything has been designed to offer an elegant gaming experience where strategy and creativity intertwine around a single goal: rising to the rank of master of the Kanō school.

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, the publisher will showcase two new trick-taking games: Picante and Apocalypse.

In Picante, you are dealt a hand of cards and secretly choose one color, which becomes your “Picante” color — the one you should avoid as much as possible. Each turn, cards of other colors earn you points, while cards of your “Picante” color make you lose points according to their value. This twist lets you play your cards freely while introducing a dynamic trump mechanic: any card whose color differs from the suit led becomes a trump.

And in Apocalypse, the core gameplay builds on classic trick-taking principles, with Apocalypse tokens placed in the center of the table. As Cavalier cards are played, the Apocalypse tokens are flipped one by one. When all active tokens are black, the current trick becomes an Apocalypse: the lowest card of the led suit wins all the tokens in the trick.

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

At Essen, the publisher will present Timespan, a game in which you develop your civilization from the Stone Age to the Space Age by advancing science, culture, and the economy. A game of engine building and resource management, where each civilization offers a different path to development.

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.

For Essen, the publisher will present Buried Memories, a game in which you explore the remains of ancient civilizations to recover relics, gems, and artifacts while avoiding hidden creatures. Each discovery unlocks new content, bringing fresh possibilities to your future expeditions.

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 will present Wild World, a worker-placement game in which you explore five realms, recruit creatures, and develop your champions to face monsters. Use versatile cards and brew potions to earn points and prestige.

And in Terravista, a roll-and-write game, build roads to connect olives, oranges, and strawberries to their respective markets. Asymmetrical cards offer different challenges, while connections allow you to unlock bonuses.

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 showcase Western Legends Stories, inspired by the open world of Western Legends, this game offers deeper exploration and a dynamic action system. Build, explore, and forge your own legend in this captivating new chapter of the Wild West.

And Bharat: Kings of Legend, an epic game of power, mysticism, and romance set in ancient India. Play as the kings of powerful clans, each determined to become the greatest emperor in the land. To achieve this, you will need to expand your influence, forge alliances, earn the favor of the gods, and practice yoga to master your vital energies.

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 present Panda Spin, an original game by Carl Chudyck, along with Mandate of Heaven, its expansion.

If any of these titles catch your interest, feel free to give them a “like” on BGG!

This helps increase their visibility and allows more players to discover them before the show.

Thank you for your support, and see you very soon in Essen!