Connie Vogelmann to Unveil New Cozy Board Game at Essen

Connie Vogelmann has drawn inspiration from nature once again with her upcoming game, Tideward, which will be showcased at the Essen Game Fair in Germany on October 22. Following her successful 2023 title, Apiary, and the fantasy twist on birdwatching in her 2024 release, Wyrmspan, Tideward invites two to four players to embark on a journey to protect newly hatched sea turtles.

In Tideward, players must navigate these vulnerable hatchlings from the beach to the safety of underwater algal mats while avoiding predators. Each turn allows players to take three actions, which can include hatching eggs, gathering food to support the turtles, or moving them along their path. The scoring varies based on how the turtles are arranged on the algal mats, and players also have secret quest cards that provide additional objectives for earning points. The game concludes when a player successfully gets all their turtles into the water, with the highest score determining the winner.

Vogelmann describes Tideward as lighter than her previous games but still rich in strategy. She shared that the concept emerged during her time at Gen Con, where she shifted from a more complex design to a focus on streamlined gameplay centered around automated movement. The idea of baby turtles quickly took shape in her mind as she navigated the convention hall.

While Wyrmspan and Apiary target players aged 14 and older, Tideward is crafted as a family-friendly game suitable for ages 10 and up. Vogelmann emphasizes her philosophy of allowing the game to dictate its complexity, stating, “I never want to add complexity for its own sake, and Tideward never wanted it. I was interested in making a lighter game. Bringing new gamers into the hobby is one of my biggest joys in designing games.”

Players can experience Tideward for the first time at the Avalon Hill and Hasbro booth during the Essen fair, which runs from October 22-25. The game will be available for purchase at local game stores and other retailers starting January 16, 2027, priced at $39.99.