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* Bloody Legacy * Confucius * Coppertwaddle * Fzzzt! * Guilds of London * Ivor The Engine * Lux Aeterna * Mission Command * On The Cards * PaperclipRailways
* Scandaroon * Snowdonia * Tara * The Cousins' War * The March of Progress * The Ming Voyages * Totemo

Surprised Stare Games

Surprisingly good games

We design and publish games that people want to play again and again; games that are colourful and rich in theme and detail; games that are innovative and, most importantly, fun!
Step inside our world...we guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised!

Blogs from our designers

Every Man Needs A Shed | BoardGameGeek
Life and games (but mostly games) from Tony Boydell: Independent UK games designer, self-confessed Agricola-holic and Carl Chudyk fan-boy.

Unfinished Games - https://benthamfish2.wordpress.com/ and also at https://www.boardgamegeek.com/blog/2165/unfinished-games
an <insert relevant adjective> blog about games playing and games design by Alan Paull.

Trade and wholesale

What's New

last updated: June 2020

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The March of Progress

To Be Published: July 2020
Designer: Alan Paull
Players: 2
Duration: 30 minutes
Age: 12+

Pocket Campaigns #3

The Ming Voyages

To Be Published: July 2020
Designer: David J Mortimer and Alan Paull
Players: 1-2
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Age: 12+

Pocket Campaigns #2

Lux Aeterna

Published: September 2019
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 1
Duration: 15 minutes
Age: 10+

Snowdonia Deluxe Master Set!

Snowdonia Deluxe Master Set!

Now available in our online shop.

Published by NSKN Games

Mission Command

Published: April 2019
Designers: Alan Paull and Peter Connew
Players: 2-16 (depending on scenario)
Age: 14+
Duration: 1-24 hours (depending on scenario)

WWII miniatures wargame

North American Railways

Designer: Peer Sylvesterr
Players: 3-5
Duration: 45 minutes
Age: 14+

Snowdonia Expansions: Siege of Petersburg and Channel Tunnel 1881

Published: October 2017
Designers: Alan Paull and David Brain
Players: 2-4

Snowdonia: Trans-Australian Railway & The Daffodil Line

Trans Australia Snowdonia expansion

Published: October 2015
Designer: Matt Dunstan

Snowdonia

Published: October 2012
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 1-5
Age: 10+
Duration: 30-90 minutes

The mountain railway:
dig it, build it, climate!

SOLD OUT.

The Cousins' War

Published: June 2017
Designer: David J Mortimer
Players: 2
Duration: 30 minutes
Age: 12+

Pocket Campaigns #1

SOLD OUT.

Ivor The Engine

Published: June 2014
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 3-5
Age: 8+
Duration: 1 hour

Ivor the Engine, from the legendary Smallfilms studio, is one of the most enduring children's series in British television history.
SOLD OUT.

Guilds of London

Published: October 2016
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-4
Duration: 45-90 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: Tasty Minstrel Games

SOLD OUT.

Coppertwaddle

Published: 2002
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2 players
Age: 12+
Duration: 45 Minutes

An authentic medieval tactical card game.

SOLD OUT.

The history of Coppertwaddle, learned articles on how to play the game, the Abbot's Puzzle.

On The Cards

Published: October 2011
Designer: Sebastian Bleasdale
Players: 2-6
Age: 10+
Duration: 30-60 minutes

The ever-changing trick-taking card game.

SOLD OUT.

Totemo

Published: October 2010
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-4
Age: 6+
Duration: 30-45 minutes

A colourful, 3D stacking game for Braves, Squaws and Papooses.

Limited Edition: 500 copies.SOLD OUT.

Fzzzt!

First Published: 2009
2nd Edition: October 2010
from Gryphon Games
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-4
Age: 8+
Duration: 30 minutes

Winner of
UK Games Expo Award Best Card Game 2009

A futuristic robot auction game with some dodgy mechanics.

First, Limited Edition: 1,500 copies SOLD OUT.
Second edition (with 5-6 player expansion) SOLD OUT.

Rules, Reviews, Robots, Puzzle

Paperclip Railways Express Edition

Published: October 2011
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-5
Age: 10+
Duration: 45-75 minutes

The railway game where the trains are STILL stationery.

Limited Edition: 300 copies SOLD OUT.

Paperclip Railways Brake Van Edition

Published: June 2011
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-5
Age: 10+
Duration: 45-75 minutes

A railway game where the trains are stationery.

Limited Edition: 120 copies SOLD OUT.

Confucius

Published: 2008
Designer: Alan Paull
Players: 3-5
Age: 12+
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours

Subtly manipulate your opponents in Ming Dynasty China. Deeply thematic.

Limited Edition: 1,100 copies. SOLD OUT.

Reviews, Rules and play aids in 5 Languages, FAQ.

Tara, Seat of Kings

Published: 2006
Designer: Alan Paull
Players: 2-4
Age: 10+
Duration: 60 - 90 minutes

A strategy board game. Become high king of all of Ancient Ireland.

Limited Edition: 750 copies. SOLD OUT.

Tara rules, artwork and game components.

Scandaroon

Published: 2007
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players:3-4
Age: 10+
Duration: 60 minutes

Out-score your opponents through careful placement and use of cards.

SOLD OUT

Author's notes, reviews and complete card list.

Bloody Legacy

Published: 2004
Designer: Tony Boydell
Players: 2-8 players
Age: 8+
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes

An unnecessarily violent and offensive game for all the family. Fast & frivolous.

Limited Edition: 1,000 copies SOLD OUT.

Visit Great Uncle Hesketh's mansion and to have a crack at Quedgely's Puzzle.

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Bloody Legacy / Confucius / Coppertwaddle / Fzzzt! / Guilds of London / Ivor The Engine / Lux Aeterna / Mission Command / On The Cards / Paperclip Railways /
Scandaroon / Snowdonia / Tara, Seat of Kings / The Cousins' War / The March of Progress / The Ming Voyages / Totemo

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