Over the last three decades, the video game industry has looked to expand its influence in a variety of ways. Whether it be toys, clothing, car decals, or even bedsheets, the video game industry has set their sights on expanding their reach to their consumers. Between the mid-’90s and late 2000s, board games with video game references were typically ones previously established with a modified spin, ex: Monopoly. Clue, Guess Who, and Trivia Pursuit. Since the start of crowdfunding, board games directly inspired by the video games have been on the rise. In the last year alone, a Sea of Thieves and Dark Souls tabletop game and a Borderlands card game were announced.
The latest video game to potentially get a board game adaptation is the popular Yacht Club Games franchise Shovel Knight. Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels is available to back on Kickstarter with a goal date of September 7th, 2019. The Kickstarter proclaims, “It is time to sharpen thy shovel once again. Shovel Knight makes his auspicious return in Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels.” The Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels board game was designed with Yacht Club Games closely collaborating on the project. Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels is a competitive, side-scrolling, dungeon-crawl board game for 1-4 players. Each player chooses a different colored Shovel Knight to rage combat against familiar enemies using thee old trusted Spade. Battle against familiar enemies from the video-game and the evil Order of No Quarter as you attempt to secure the most treasure possible and reign supreme as the one true Shovel Knight!
Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels Kickstarter features three donation options. The first option is a pledge without a reward option that allows backers to donate any amount. The second option called the 2D Shovelry pledge requires a minimum of a $40 dollar donation and grants the donator a 2D version of the board game. The third and final donation option is the 3D Deluxe Shovelry pledge which requires at least $70 be donated. This final option includes pre-assembled 3D models.
This game has two options for pledges, one including cardboard standees for a colorful and affordable version of the game as well as a plastic miniatures version for a deluxe experience! All additional benefits from the Kickstarter can be found on their crowdfunding page including the Shovel Knight: Dungeon Duels Rulebook. Click here or the banner below to see the project. Overall the project seems like a fun turn-based game that will have players see which of their friends is the best Shovel Knight and who needs to work on their strategy.
