Two board game tables launched on Kickstarter today alone, and yet another one launched a couple weeks ago. All are already fully funded, and are on offer for 25-30 more days as of this writing. For my geeky friends, here are some links and details:
Board Game Table's second KS is The Jasper. We bought their first table, the Duchess, which we play on all the time. Chad's a stand up guy and this table addresses the issues with the first KS and makes improvements on the table design itself, including smaller leaves (HALLELUJAH!). Also MADE IN THE USA.
This one is about $900 with the topper, $600 without (but the topper is part of the entire the point so...?). Downside: the only accessories are cup holders, which have fixed attachment points rather than a flexible rail system...and they cost extra, too. So all-in on this one is table, topper, and 6 cup holders is about $980:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1296268806/the-jasper-a-board-gaming-table
Newest to the space, Seattle's own Wooded Realms is making the 2nd Breakfast table. They are trying to disrupt the market with the most affordable gaming table yet (outside of making your own). When they first launched there was only one table size, and it was too small, IMO. Since they funded in 3 days, they decided to add another table size and this one has the standard 3X5 play surface.
Features include a wider ledger space than the Duchess/Jasper, slide-out tables and a full rail system with cup holders and small tables included in the price, flippable vault surface with wood one side and speedcloth/fabric (TBD) on the other, AND a clear acrylic sheet for campaign maps. But the real kicker is that at this super low price, they also have LED lighting in the interior controllable by a Bluetooth phone app (can be set to sound reactive, music, or pre-sets), and 8 USB and 2 AC outlets built into the table.
I saw these tables in person at PAX West and they are sturdy, solid tables. They had a whole room where they let people play on them all weekend and they looked as good at the end of the weekend as they did at the beginning with a LOT of use.
Only downside I can see is a) unproven manufacturer with still some question marks on the project and b) made in China. (of course it would be at this price, but if it matters to you, make a note of it...)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/woodedrealms/2nd-breakfast-an-affordable-quality-board-game-tab
Finally is the Table of Ultimate Gaming's new entry to the space, "The Game Changer". Their most unique offering is a modular topper which goes on your existing table, with several sizes on offer including a coffee table size option. They can grow and shrink the topper as you wish with a leaves/extension system. They also have a full table option in similar design, utilizing the same modular accessory options. And this goes to 11: they have up to 4X6 play space sizes. Aesthetically, their table designs leave me unimpressed. For some, though, they make up for it in modularity and functionality. The ability to extend it, or take it apart and put it away is a really great upside to the topper concept, particularly for more casual gamers who only want to bring it out once in a while for play sessions with friends/at parties, and/or people who have a dining table they love and don't want to replace.
The only downside I see of the game topper concept is that it raises your table edges up by 4 inches in order to have a recessed vault. For shorter players like me, part of the appeal of a vaulted table is I put my elbows on the edge and can look down over the game play area more fully. To raise up the edge by 4 inches isn't ideal, and just puts the height of the game essentially at the same height as if I was on my normal dining table. Not a complete deal-breaker, but it does remove some of the functional upsides of a vaulted game table.
A 3X5' topper starts at $300, with a full comparable sized table coming in at $400, with no bells or whistles (no dining table covers either). Bundles include various combinations of add-on accessories include the dining table covers, play mats, sets of 4 cup holders, and matching chairs. All in on a 3.5X5' play area table (+dining table top, play mat, cup holders) is around $600, the larger 4X6' play area is $700.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/972632882/gamechanger-game-tables-and-table-toppers
So that's what's up on KS right now in board game table world. What a time to be alive! While I still lament the loss of Geek Chic, and still dream of one day having a Wyrmwood Prophecy (swoon), these are some solid new entries in this market. In the meantime, I am happy with my Duchess and watch the market grow and change before us all as the joy of board gaming continues to expand into more homes. If you get one, I'd love to hear about it!
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