International momentum, holiday special, charity action, and new crowdfunding campaign announced for Q1 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, Syncanite — the strategic conspiracy board game developed by Syncanite Games — is entering its next phase. After a year of strong reception across Europe, growing international press attention, and sold-out event appearances, the game is now preparing for a major international expansion in early 2026 which also includes the first part of the novel trilogy that originally sparked its inception.
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/syncanite/expansion-i?ref=search
About the Game
At its core, Syncanite is a highly asymmetric strategy game about power, resource management, political influence, military tactics, and control. Players do not compete through resource optimization alone, but through mutual influence – both on the board and at the table – player vs. player manipulation, reactive planning, and calculated compromise, at times either avoiding crises and at other times triggering them purposefully in order to advance their own personal goals.
Each player takes on the role of an oligarch with a unique sphere of influence and power, forcing players to constantly reassess alliances and threats while pursuing their victory conditions. Information is incomplete, trust is fragile, and the balance of power can shift dramatically based on a single decision. Disasters are constantly looming over the horizon and the willingness to take risks and make bold choices often is a key factor in winning the game.
While often initially mistaken for a traditional Eurogame, Syncanite neither fits within that niche nor into any typical American mold. It deliberately breaks away from that structure, with its own atmosphere and feel.
Evolving and changing game mechanics create a uniquely dynamic experience, making the players feel no position of power is ever truly safe. With cooperation usually temporary and often transactional, the sense of suspense is always there, gripping at the throat during gameplay without ever letting go even for a moment. In the end, winning requires understanding people as much as mechanics – and a failure to assess the true risks and benefits often gets the players in deep trouble, forcing them to reassess their tactics and switch to a different approach as fast as possible.
The result is a tense, replayable experience that rewards tactical gameplay, psychological insight, and adaptability.
About Syncanite
Syncanite is not just a board game; it is a multi-media setting that was originally inspired by a trilogy of novels written by designer Timon Thöne between 2013 and 2015. Now, the novels will be made available one by one, with the first part being released together with the upcoming crowdfunding campaign in early 2026 – 13 years after the original draft.
Taking from Timon’s own experiences with power structures and international dealings, mixed with a healthy dose of science fantasy, Syncanite’s genre-bending story sparks the imagination and enhances all aspects of the franchise, offering both depth and suspense at equal measures.
Holiday Special (post-Christmas)
To close the year, Syncanite Games will launch a Holiday Special, promoted after Christmas. This initiative is aimed at players looking to invest their holiday gifts into a deeper gaming experience, rather than positioning the game as a last-minute Christmas delivery.
The Holiday Special is a bundle that includes:
- The core game
- The Great Council box (player expansion)
- The Dignitary Pack Volume I
- The epic double-sided playmat
- The Zugzwang Pack (some of the strongest cards in the deck with shiny backs to indicate that players are on the verge of drawing a special card)
Community-driven Development & Updated Rulebook
In a recent backer vote, 72% of supporters chose to delay shipping in order to include a significantly improved rulebook which does not change any of the already-existing rules, but does present them in a more accessible, easy-to-understand and quick-to-learn manner, all rewritten by a professional top-level editor. The speed at which this was done set another milestone for the company, as the revised rulebook has already been made available as a free-to-download PDF on Boardgamegeek and will now be available in print for the first time. Starting in January, each box sent out will include the revised rulebook, further underscoring Syncanite’s dedication to its fanbase and to the quality of the game – not even a year after the Kickstarter campaign that jumpstarted Syncanite’s release.
This approach allowed Syncanite Games to:
- Deliver immediately to players who opted out of the delay
- Take additional development time for a clearer, more refined rulebook, while still delivering its revised version within a short 6-week window after Essen Spiel.
New Crowdfunding Campaign Confirmed for Q1 2026
Syncanite Games confirms that a new international crowdfunding campaign is planned for Q1 2026.
This campaign will include:
- A reprint of the core game
- New content and expansions
- An updated rulebook
- Several surprises, to be revealed closer to launch
Unlike the initial campaign, the upcoming one will be explicitly international, with a strong focus on localization, retail partnerships, and licensing opportunities. If you are interested in working with Syncanite Games or forge a long-term partnership, feel free to reach out to us.
Retail, Licensing & Industry Presence
Starting in January, Syncanite Games will actively approach retail partners and publishers across the world. The team will also attend Nürnberg Spielwarenmesse as visitors, focusing on:
- Localization deals
- International distribution
- Strategic partnerships
Giving Back: Charity Donation Before Christmas
As part of this release phase, Syncanite Games will donate €500 to the German Children’s Hospice – doubling the amount of money raised at Essen Speil through a voluntary charity box at the booth.
This initiative is rooted in personal motivation rather than marketing strategy, reflecting the studio’s commitment to using its growing platform responsibly. Designer and owner Timon Thöne unfortunately lost his own brother in 2024 at a far too early age and now is driven to contribute to make the life of children diagnosed with life-threatening diseases brighter. As Syncanite continues to grow, Timon is adamant on offering the cause continuing support.
Collaborations & Partnerships
Syncanite will be present at the Spielwarenmesse Nürnberg 2026, one of the most important game conventions for designers and publishers. Feel free to reach out to us for appointments and interviews. Also, the publisher is open to partnerships and other collaborations with similarly-minded companies, publishers, designers, and distributors.
