Reports

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Global TTRPG Industry

Art

Art

— 25 min read
Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Global TTRPG Industry
Donald Trump reading DnD - image generated by AI

We are probably the last place where you would expect to read an article about politics and economics. However, since April 2, we have been living in a new world - TTRPG developers and publishers have to face the consequences of Donald Trump's introduction of new tariffs on products around the world. We all have to redefine our business models and re-calculate the profitability of our campaigns and productions. What's worse, the situation is dynamic and no one can guarantee that the tariffs won't be raised...

Introduction: New Tariffs and the Tabletop RPG Industry

On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping import tariffs on virtually all trading partners, a move he dubbed “Liberation Day” for U.S. trade policy.

These tariffs include a 10% baseline duty on all imports into the United States, effective April 5, 2025, with steep nation-specific rates effective April 9. For example, goods from the European Union face a 20% tariff, imports from Japan 24%, and imports from China a massive 34% new tariff on top of prior penalties.

In China’s case, earlier trade measures (including a 20% fentanyl-related levy) mean the effective tariff on Chinese imports is about 54% - a staggering increase in cost. Neighboring Canada and Mexico were exempted from the “reciprocal” tariffs but instead became subject to separate 25% import taxes (after a previous exemption expired).

Table 1: New U.S. Import Tariff Rates (April 2025) for Selected Regions. These tariffs apply to physical goods entering the U.S. and represent a sharp departure from previous trade policy.

The universal 10% tariff amounts to a wide-ranging trade barrier that will touch every product that enters the U.S.

These unprecedented tariffs immediately raised alarms across the global economy. Major U.S. trading partners warned of retaliation, sparking fears of a full-scale trade war. The tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) and board game industry – which relies heavily on global manufacturing and international crowdfunding – braced for significant disruption. Tabletop games are produced worldwide, with components and products often made in China, Taiwan, Europe, Canada, and other countries.

As Atlas Games president John Nephew noted, “tabletop games…are manufactured all over the world,” involving a “complicated, interconnected web” of supply chains spanning from Asia to Europe and beyond. This global footprint makes the TTRPG industry especially vulnerable to broad tariffs on imports.

In this report, we analyze the multifaceted impact of these tariffs on the global TTRPG industry, including: (1) effects on crowdfunding and patronage platforms (like Patreon, Kickstarter, Gamefound), (2) impacts on creators and publishers of both digital and physical TTRPG content, (3) short-term shocks versus long-term adjustments, and (4) broader global implications for production, fulfillment, shipping, and pricing. We draw on data and commentary from industry stakeholders, trade publications, and business media to provide a detailed, evidence-based assessment.

Impact on Crowdfunding Platforms (Kickstarter, Gamefound) and Patreon

Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Gamefound are a lifeblood of the TTRPG and board game hobby, enabling creators to fund projects with international backers. The new tariffs have immediate implications for these platforms and their users:

  • Ongoing Campaigns & Pledge Fulfillment: Projects that were funded before the tariff announcement suddenly face higher costs to deliver rewards, especially for U.S.-bound shipments. Many campaigns had quoted shipping costs and production budgets before the tariff, so creators are scrambling to address the shortfall. Polygon reported that games crowdfunded earlier in 2024 “could have drastically increased shipping costs” if Trump’s tariffs went into effect, since most campaigns did not anticipate an across-the-board import tax. For instance, the creator of Gloomhaven: Grand Festival (a $5+ million campaign) emailed backers acknowledging the uncertainty and promising, “It has never been our intention to go back to backers asking for additional money… We can absorb some costs, but there are a lot of unknowns at play”. This highlights how publishers are reluctant to pass unexpected expenses to backers, yet the scale of the tariffs leaves them with few choices.
  • Platform Responses – “Stable Pledge” Programs: Platforms have started adapting their policies to protect backers and maintain trust. Gamefound, for example, introduced a “Stable Pledge” program that allows campaigns to offer full refunds if shipping costs rise by more than 10% from the original estimate . This acts as a safety net for backers in volatile times. While not a perfect solution (creators may have already spent funds on production), it provides more protection than forcing backers to pay unexpected fees post-campaign. By early 2025, multiple Gamefound projects had opted into Stable Pledge, signaling platform-level recognition of the tariff risk. Kickstarter has no blanket refund program, but many creators have individually communicated contingency plans to their backers, often using updates to maintain transparency about potential tariff impacts.
  • Patreon and Subscription Platforms: Patreon – which supports many TTRPG content creators through monthly subscriptions – is less directly exposed to import tariffs because Patreon content is typically digital (PDFs, podcasts, etc.) or service-oriented. However, Patreon creators who ship physical rewards (e.g. printed zines, dice, miniatures for higher-tier patrons) are now facing higher postage and import costs. Some Patreon creators may need to raise pledge tiers or alter reward structures to account for the ~10–20% higher cost of any imported merchandise. Moreover, if tariffs drive up general consumer prices (the average U.S. tariff rate could jump from ~2.5% to ~22% overall, patrons might have less disposable income, potentially affecting subscription revenues in the long run. Platforms like Patreon will need to monitor whether subscriber churn increases as fans reallocate budgets due to higher living costs – one of many indirect ripple effects.
  • Backer/Customer Sentiment on Platforms: So far, the community response on crowdfunding platforms has been mixed but cautiously supportive. Backers appreciate upfront communication. In some campaigns, U.S. backers even signaled willingness to share part of the tariff burden to ensure projects remain viable (e.g. some creators report backers willing to cover up to ~50% of the additional costs). At the same time, backers expect creators and platforms to explore all alternatives before passing on costs. The introduction of refund options like Stable Pledge reflects a broader effort by platforms to manage backer expectations and preserve goodwill in the face of uncontrollable external costs.

In summary, crowdfunding platforms are playing a critical role as intermediaries during this crisis. They are extending pledge manager deadlines, enabling shipping cost adjustments, and implementing refund policies to navigate the turmoil. For Patreon, the impact is muted but not zero – creators may need to lean more on digital rewards and community support rather than costly physical perks.

Impact on Creators and Publishers (Digital & Physical Content)

The tariffs are hitting creators and publishers of TTRPG content unevenly, with the harshest effects on those producing physical goods and a more subtle impact on digital-only creators. Below we break down the consequences:

Physical TTRPG Products (Books, Dice, Miniatures, etc.)

Most physical TTRPG products – hardcover rulebooks, dice sets, miniatures, game boards, and accessories – are part of a global manufacturing ecosystem. It is common for rulebooks to be printed in Asia or Europe, dice and miniatures to be manufactured in China, and then everything shipped to backers or retail warehouses in the U.S., Europe, and worldwide. The new tariffs directly increase the cost of these goods at every step of importation:

  • Higher Production Costs: Any publisher manufacturing abroad must now factor in up to double-digit percentage tariffs when importing their products into major markets like the U.S. Atlas Games explained that they “just can’t reasonably absorb these kinds of taxes” on goods made outside the U.S. without raising prices. In early 2025, Atlas delayed reprinting some titles because of the lack of clarity on import taxes, fearing that “between placing an order and receiving goods, we could find ourselves subject to a tax of 10% to 20%, or much higher” on those items. This uncertainty is forcing schedule disruptions – publishers are pausing or re-evaluating print runs and new product launches until they understand the cost structure. Short-run and indie publishers, who often operate on thin margins, are the most vulnerable. Tabletop publishing is notoriously a “cottage industry that relies on razor-thin margins”, meaning few companies can absorb a sudden 10–50% cost increase. Many will inevitably pass those costs on or cut their print quantities.
  • Shipping & Fulfillment Costs: The cost to ship physical rewards or stock to the U.S. has jumped immediately. One Gamefound campaign update noted that due to the tariffs, they had to increase U.S. shipping fees by about €1.90 per 2 kg parcel to partially offset the import tax (with the project creators covering the rest). Another board game Kickstarter creator bluntly warned that if the tariffs hit in time for his shipment, he could be charged “up to 60% of the value” of his games (around $100,000 USD in extra fees), which would be “financially devastating”. Such a hit could erase the entire profit margin of a project and even threaten the company’s survival. Indeed, creators fear that extreme tariff costs might “affect [their] ability to continue making games at all”. To mitigate these risks, some publishers are exploring alternate fulfillment strategies: for example, splitting shipments to multiple regions, using third-party logistics companies adept at navigating customs, or even routing goods through countries with lower tariffs (though U.S. policy now covers virtually all direct imports). Notably, the U.S. also removed the $800 de minimis exemption for Chinese imports, meaning even small parcels from China no longer slip in duty-free. This change closes a common loophole that some project fulfillers used (sending individual packages direct from China to backers) – now each of those packages would incur tariffs, adding bureaucracy and cost at customs.
  • Pricing and “Tariff Surcharges”: Faced with unavoidable import taxes, many publishers are raising prices. Several U.S. game publishers have signaled upcoming MSRP increases or special surcharges on products manufactured overseas. Atlas Games, for instance, alerted distributors and retailers that they may institute a “Tariff Recovery Surcharge” on affected new releases. This would effectively itemize the tariff cost separately, making it clear to buyers why prices are higher. John Nephew of Atlas noted that general operating costs (like transportation and even heating, due to ripple effects on fuel) are likely to spike as well, “lead[ing] to general price increases in addition to tariff-specific surcharges”. In the retail channel, game stores and wholesalers expect to pay more for inventory, which will translate to higher shelf prices for consumers. In short, the cost of physical TTRPG products is poised to rise across the board in the U.S. market. Creators and publishers are communicating this to customers as an unfortunate necessity.
  • Examples of Creator Adaptation: Numerous real-world examples illustrate how creators are handling the shock:
    • Cephalofair Games (publisher of Gloomhaven) preemptively informed their 35,000 backers that while they would do everything possible not to charge extra, the situation was fluid. They emphasized having contingency plans and some ability to absorb costs, but no guarantees given “a lot of unknowns at play”.
    • Karma Games (a German publisher) extended its pledge manager deadline for a Gamefound project into late March 2025 and adjusted shipping rates for U.S. backers upward, hoping to collect more funds before finalizing fulfillment. They also offered backers in the U.S. a chance to cancel for a refund (minus platform fees) if the new costs made pledges untenable, an approach in line with Gamefound’s Stable Pledge philosophy.
    • Steve Jackson Games (an established U.S. publisher) reportedly decided to *“eat” the tariff costs for a recent crowdfunding batch rather than billing backers after the fact, to preserve customer goodwill. This is easier for a larger company with some buffer, but smaller creators might not survive doing the same.
    • Stonemaier Games (known for board games, not RPGs, but similar production) publicly discussed tariff scenarios on social media, even suggesting that if tariffs persist, consumers might consider “purchasing and crowdfunding less and [instead] play the existing games” they own – a sobering commentary on how hobby demand might cool off if new games become too expensive.

In aggregate, the tariff shock is forcing physical product creators into difficult choices: delay and hope for policy changes, increase prices and risk alienating customers, or absorb costs and risk insolvency. Many are choosing a middle path of transparency and shared pain – communicating frankly with their communities, adding modest extra charges here and there, and personally absorbing whatever they can in the short term.

Digital Content Creators (PDFs, Virtual Modules, etc.)

Creators of digital TTRPG content (such as PDF rulebooks, online adventure modules, or virtual tabletop assets) are largely insulated from direct tariff effects, since tariffs target physical imports. A PDF or a digital subscription has no customs checkpoint. However, digital creators are still part of the broader ecosystem and are feeling second-order effects:

  • Shifting Consumer Preferences: As physical products become pricier or slower to arrive, some consumers may turn increasingly to digital alternatives. For example, a Game Master who balks at a higher price for a printed rulebook might opt to buy the PDF version (which has no import cost) or use a digital toolset. In the short term, this could boost sales of PDFs and virtual tabletop modules relative to physical books. Digital publishers might benefit from a bump in demand, though it’s born out of adversity for the overall market.
  • Economic Strain on Supporters: On the other hand, if the tariffs contribute to broader economic strain (higher inflation and decreased discretionary income), even digital creators could feel a pinch as customers cut non-essential spending. A TTRPG Patreon that previously had, say, 500 subscribers might see some downtick if those supporters are now contending with higher prices on many goods. In the words of one industry observer, tariffs this expansive “could be painful for U.S. consumers” broadly, which eventually trickles down to entertainment and hobby budgets.
  • Opportunities for Localized Production: Some digital creators also produce print-on-demand (POD) physical copies of their work via services like DriveThruRPG or local print shops. POD services often print regionally (e.g. a U.S. customer’s order is printed in the U.S., a UK customer’s in the UK), meaning these copies may avoid cross-border tariffs altogether. As such, print-on-demand may become more attractive for small creators versus offset printing a batch overseas and importing it. We might see a tilt toward POD usage: a digital creator can continue selling PDFs globally, and for those who want hard copies, steer them to POD which fulfills within their own country or trade zone (skirting the tariff issue, though possibly at a higher per-unit cost). This wouldn’t have been as popular when global shipping was relatively frictionless, but under high tariffs it’s a safer bet.
  • Summary for Digital: In essence, pure digital publishing is spared from direct cost increases due to tariffs. Digital content creators may even find greater relative demand if consumers shy away from costly physical imports. However, they are not completely isolated from the industry’s woes – they rely on the health of the hobby at large, and many digital creators also do some physical merchandise or convention appearances (which involve travel and shipping gear, both of which are pricier now). The digital segment’s fate is tightly intertwined with how the overall TTRPG market and community weather this storm.

Short-Term Shock vs Long-Term Adjustments

The effects of the tariffs can be viewed in two horizons: the short-term shock (over the next few months) and the long-term adjustments (over a year or more, if the trade environment remains altered). The industry’s response and strategies differ in these time frames.

Short-Term Effects (Spring–Summer 2025)

In the immediate aftermath of the tariff announcement, the global TTRPG industry experienced disruption and uncertainty at every level:

  • Confusion and Administrative Hurdles: The suddenness of the tariff implementation left many companies unsure about how and when the new taxes would be applied. Atlas Games described a “distinct lack of clear guidance” from the U.S. government in early days, noting contradictory information on whether goods already en route would be exempt. For example, two 40-foot containers of Atlas’s new game arrived at a U.S. port just before the tariffs, but “they haven’t yet cleared customs. We don’t know if, when they do, we may be handed a tax bill equal to 10% of their value”. This limbo status is stressful for publishers, as a yes/no on a tariff could swing tens of thousands of dollars. In the short term, many publishers are working closely with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and legal advisors to get clarity and expedite shipments before higher rates kick in. Some even rushed deliveries in late March and early April to land products before the April 5/9 deadlines, effectively trying to beat the tariff clock.
  • Project Delays and “Wait-and-See”: Numerous creators hit the pause button on upcoming projects or releases. If a Kickstarter was planned for April or May 2025 to fund a game manufactured in China, there is incentive to delay launch until costs can be recalculated (or until one can gauge if tariffs might be rolled back by political or legal challenges). Likewise, publishers have delayed reprints of out-of-stock titles – as noted earlier with Atlas holding off on CULTivate’s reprint - because printing now could lock them into paying tariffs on the incoming stock. Short-term, it’s safer to delay and observe the evolving trade situation. This “wait-and-see” approach means fewer new products in the immediate pipeline and longer fulfillment timelines for some projects. Backers and retailers might see announcements of “we’re pushing back our release to Q4 2025” become common, explicitly citing tariffs or supply chain volatility as the reason.
  • Stopgap Financial Measures: For projects already in motion, creators are exploring stopgap measures to cover the unexpected costs. Some have set aside a portion of contingency funds (if they had any) to pay tariffs. Others are negotiating with their manufacturers or shipping partners for cost relief. In a few cases, well-capitalized publishers have taken short-term loans to cover the duty fees so that fulfillment can proceed on schedule, essentially betting that they can recoup the expense through future sales or price increases. In one striking example, the creator of the Deep Regrets board game (funded on Kickstarter) informed backers he had funds ready to cover the tariffs if needed but admitted, “I cannot fully rule out a scenario where increased freight charges and levied tariffs become too great… and I cannot successfully import the games to the US”. He vowed to do “everything in [his] power” to get backers their games, highlighting how in the short term creators are willing to sacrifice profit and take personal risk just to fulfill promises. This kind of messaging – balancing determination with honesty about risk – has been echoed by many campaign runners in early 2025.
  • Retailer Stockpiling: On the retail side, some distributors and game stores engaged in short-term stockpiling prior to tariffs. U.S. distributors rushed to bring in inventory from overseas publishers before the tariff start dates, where possible. Likewise, hobby retailers ordered extra stock of popular imported games (board games from Europe, dice from overseas suppliers, etc.) in late March. This front-loading could create a brief glut in supply for certain products in April, but as those inventories dwindle, restocks will come at the new higher cost. Short-term, consumers might see sales or normal prices on existing stock, but any new arrivals by summer 2025 are likely to carry higher price tags.
  • Immediate Price Announcements: A few publishers did not wait to adjust prices. As early as February 2025, in anticipation of tariffs, some companies announced price increases. For instance, a 25% jump in the price of certain high-end dice sets (which are typically manufactured in China) was observed in March – the dice maker explained that this increase corresponded to the expected tariff on their next shipment. In the RPG book market, increases are less immediate because books have longer print lead times, but customers have been warned that the next print run of a given title could see a $5-$10 price hike from the current MSRP. Thus, short-term messaging to customers is everywhere: “buy now if you want the current price” is a refrain, implying that a wave of price adjustments is imminent once older stock sells through or new shipments land.

In summary, the short-term period is characterized by turmoil, quick fixes, and attempts to buffer the impact for projects already underway. The industry is treating the tariffs almost like a natural disaster – an unexpected crisis – doing whatever possible to deliver products and keep customers happy in the moment, even if it means absorbing costs or delaying projects.

Long-Term Implications (Late 2025 and Beyond)

If these tariffs persist for the long haul (and especially if other nations retaliate, cementing a new status quo of higher trade barriers), the TTRPG industry will have to undergo deeper strategic changes. Some anticipated long-term impacts include:

  • Supply Chain Realignment: Publishers will explore shifting their manufacturing and supply chains to minimize tariff exposure. This could mean moving production to the United States or to countries not subject to the steep U.S. tariffs. However, given the breadth of Trump’s tariffs (targeting most trade partners), options are limited. Manufacturing in the U.S. eliminates the import tariff but comes with higher labor and material costs – still, for high-end products or those with large U.S. sales volume, domestic production might become economically viable when avoiding a 20–50% import tax. We may also see increased manufacturing in countries like India or Vietnam, if those nations maintain relatively lower or no tariffs (depending on U.S. trade policy toward them). Already by 2025, some board game manufacturers in India have started marketing themselves as a “tariff-free” alternative to Chinese factories. European publishers might split print runs, with a portion made in Europe for EU/rest-of-world and a portion made in the U.S. (or Mexico, if that becomes advantageous) for the U.S. market – effectively localizing production to each major region. Such dual production increases overhead and complexity, but it can circumvent the worst tariffs and shorten supply lines. In the long term, if tariffs remain high, the industry’s heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing (estimated at 90% of the board game manufacturing space before these tariffs will decrease out of sheer necessity. We could witness a diversification of manufacturing locations not seen in decades, as companies hedge against political trade risks.
  • Higher Prices and Market Contraction: It is almost certain that the cost of TTRPG products will normalize at a higher level if tariffs stay in effect. Consumers will face higher prices on game books, accessories, and minis, which could dampen demand. One analysis in April 2025 estimated that the typical American family might incur $1,600–$2,000 in extra annual costs due to the broad tariffs (across all goods). With hobbies being discretionary spending, sustained price increases could slow the growth of the TTRPG market or even shrink it in the U.S. temporarily as consumers adjust. Publishers might respond by focusing on premium products (since those buyers are less price-sensitive) or by offering more incremental content (small expansions, digital add-ons) that keep people engaged without requiring big-ticket purchases. Over time, the market may adapt to the new pricing, but there is a risk that fewer new players will join the hobby if starter products (like a beginner’s D&D set or a core rulebook for a new RPG) become too expensive. Long-term, companies might also stagger their release schedules differently – for instance, instead of releasing many products in a year, they might do fewer, more impactful releases, to ensure each can carry the needed margin.
  • Resilience Through Digital and Local Communities: A potential silver lining is that the community might double-down on digital platforms and local play as a way to sustain interest without constant new purchases. Virtual tabletop (VTT) platforms could see more traffic as players stick with existing game content and play online, especially if physical product availability fluctuates. Likewise, friendly local game stores (who might suffer from higher wholesale costs) could pivot to organizing more events, painting workshops, and RPG campaigns to keep customers coming even if those customers buy slightly fewer new books. In other words, the industry may emphasize the experiential side of TTRPGs while the product side faces headwinds. Creators who provide ongoing value (through adventure subscriptions, Patreon-funded campaigns, etc.) might weather the storm better than those who rely on one-off product sales.
  • Global Market Shifts: The U.S. has been the largest market for many tabletop publishers. If U.S. sales become less profitable or more cumbersome due to tariffs, some non-U.S. companies might pivot focus toward Europe or other regions. For instance, a Polish or Brazilian RPG publisher, finding U.S. import costs too high, may invest more in catering to their regional audience or English-speaking customers outside the U.S. (like in the UK, which as of Trump’s announcement appears to have a 10% tariff, if the UK was not specifically listed higher. This could gradually internationalize the TTRPG industry even further, reducing the U.S.-centricity of English-language RPG publishing. Conversely, U.S. companies might look to establish foreign subsidiaries or partnerships to produce and sell abroad more independently of U.S. exports (anticipating that other countries might slap tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation). In the long run, a prolonged trade war might fragment the global distribution of TTRPG products – instead of one big print run feeding the whole world, we might see multiple smaller print runs feeding each region’s demand. This fragmentation is inefficient, but it could become the norm if it’s the only way to avoid punitive tariffs in each direction.
  • Industry Consolidation and Shakeout: High tariffs will likely squeeze out some of the smallest publishers who operate with minimal capital. If a creator has one or two moderately successful titles and suddenly their costs jump dramatically, they might decide to exit the industry or pause indefinitely. We could see some consolidation where larger companies acquire the IP of struggling smaller publishers (for example, a big publisher might buy out a smaller game line that the original creator can no longer afford to produce under the new cost structure). Larger entities, especially those backed by investment (like Asmodee in board games or Embracer Group in RPGs), have more cushion to survive a trade war by reallocating resources and negotiating bulk deals for manufacturing. The long-term result could be fewer independent publishers and a more top-heavy industry. This is speculative, but it’s a known outcome in industries hit by economic turbulence: the “big fish” endure or even swallow the “small fish.” However, tabletop gaming has a passionate indie scene, and it’s possible those creators will adapt through community support (e.g. crowdfunding more often, but with realistic shipping built-in, or moving entirely to digital/POD models as noted). The next year will reveal which smaller publishers can adapt and which unfortunately cannot.

In sum, the long-term outlook will depend on how permanent these tariffs are. If they are resolved in a few months via negotiations, many of these adjustments might be partial or reversible. But if they persist into 2026 and beyond, the TTRPG industry will likely undergo a significant transformation – from restructured supply chains to new pricing paradigms – in order to survive and continue delivering the imaginative experiences that fans love. The hobby has proven resilient through past challenges (recessions, pandemics, etc.), often by innovating and leaning on its strong community; those qualities will be essential to navigate this new trade environment.

Global Production, Fulfillment, and Backer Implications

Because the TTRPG industry is globally interconnected, the impact of U.S. tariffs extends far beyond America’s borders. This section examines how production and fulfillment processes worldwide are affected, and what it means for backers and customers in different regions.

  • Production Hubs Under Pressure: China, as the world’s manufacturing hub for dice, miniatures, and many board game components, is disproportionately hit. A 54% tariff on Chinese goods into the U.S. means that any U.S. publisher still manufacturing in China will either face enormous taxes or will urgently move production elsewhere. Chinese manufacturers of game components are reportedly concerned about losing U.S. clients; some are offering discounts or exploring opening satellite facilities in tariff-exempt locations to retain business. European factories (such as those in Germany, Poland, and Lithuania that print a lot of board game materials) now face a 20% tariff to ship to the U.S., which diminishes the competitive advantage they briefly hoped to gain from the China turmoil. Even Canadian and Mexican printers – which one might expect to benefit due to proximity – are under a 25% U.S. tariff, eliminating North America as a tariff-free production zone. In effect, no major manufacturing region is untouched, so production decisions will revolve around balancing tariff rates vs. base costs. Some publishers might adopt a hybrid approach: producing labor-intensive parts (like miniatures) in places with skilled labor (Asia) and simpler parts (like books or cards) in the U.S., then assembling locally – a reversal of the old trend of doing all assembly in China. This reengineering of production lines will take time to implement, especially for companies mid-project.
  • Fulfillment Centers and Logistics: Fulfillment – the process of getting finished products from warehouses to backers/customers – is also seeing global adjustments. Typically, a crowdfunding project would freight all its goods to regional fulfillment centers (e.g. one in the U.S., one in the EU) and then send packages out to backers from there. With tariffs, some projects are reconsidering this model. For instance, European publishers shipping to U.S. backers might hold inventory in Europe and mail individual parcels directly to each U.S. backer to bypass the bulk import tariff. While each individual package might still be subject to import duty, if the declared value is under the threshold (for countries other than China which still have the $800 exemption), some packages might slip through or at least spread the cost out. This direct-ship method raises postage costs and risks customs issues per package, but it is being weighed as an alternative to a single large U.S. freight shipment incurring a full 20% tariff at once. Conversely, some U.S. publishers might find it easier to freight everything to the U.S. (pay tariffs if importing components) and then ship out worldwide from the U.S., especially if other countries start imposing retaliatory tariffs. We’re essentially going to see a lot of experimentation in fulfillment strategies: split shipments, creative routing (for example, using bonded warehouses or free trade zones if available), and partnering with local publishers for “licensing & local print” deals to serve distant markets. All of these add complexity and potential delays. Backers worldwide should brace for possibly longer fulfillment times as creators navigate new logistics and paperwork. Already, international backers outside the U.S. are asking questions like “Will my reward be delayed because of U.S. tariffs?” – the answer in some cases is yes, if the project timeline is altered to solve U.S. shipping first or to reallocate manufacturing.
  • Backer Expectations and Communication: The tariffs have forced a new level of transparency in creator-backer communications. It’s now common to see project updates discussing macroeconomic issues – something that would have seemed odd in previous years. Creators are educating backers on what tariffs are and clarifying that “tariffs are paid by the company importing the goods and are typically passed on to customers”, as one Kickstarter update explained to supporters. In general, backers have reacted with understanding when informed early. But expectations have shifted: backers now want to know a project’s “Plan B” if tariffs make the original plan infeasible. Creators are more frequently including a Risks & Challenges section about tariffs in their campaign descriptions. For example, the Deep Regrets campaign’s post-election update frankly stated the risk and potential outcomes, which, while dire, at least prepared backers for what could happen. Going forward, backers will expect that creators factor in these kinds of contingencies. We may see fewer $1 pledges converting to full late pledges if backers fear surprise charges later – they might prefer to wait for retail unless assured of stable pricing. To maintain trust, many creators are committing to honor the original pledge price for backers and only adjust shipping or offer refunds rather than ask for more money. This dynamic is redefining the unwritten contract between creators and backers: flexibility and open dialogue are key. Projects that handle this well will retain loyalty, while any that handle it poorly (e.g. last-minute exorbitant charges) could face backlash in reviews and future support.
  • Global Customer Impact – Outside the U.S.: While U.S. consumers face the most direct price hikes, customers elsewhere are not untouched. If a European publisher raises prices globally to maintain parity or cover increased costs, European customers end up paying more too (even if no tariff was directly applied on an EU-internal sale). Additionally, if the EU and other regions retaliate with their own tariffs on U.S. goods, then American-made gaming products will become pricier in those markets. For example, if a U.S. company like Wizards of the Coast exports D&D books to Europe and the EU slaps a, say, 15% retaliatory tariff on U.S. printed books, those books would cost more for European distributors and fans. As of the announcement, the EU was preparing countermeasures but had not specified which goods. It’s plausible that games or books could get caught up in a tit-for-tat tariff exchange. So globally, the pricing uncertainty affects everyone to some degree. Non-U.S. customers also have to consider delays: some U.S.-based Kickstarter projects have told international backers that they are focusing on U.S. fulfillment first (because that’s where the biggest cost impact is) which inadvertently makes non-U.S. backers wait longer for their copies. It’s an unfortunate situation of triage.
  • Community Solidarity: On a positive note, the global TTRPG community has shown solidarity in face of these challenges. Backers from different countries are expressing empathy for each other’s situation (“We Europeans dealt with VAT and Brexit costs; now you Americans have tariffs – we feel your pain,” as one comment paraphrased). Creators are sharing tips behind the scenes on manufacturers in new regions and collectively lobbying through industry groups for relief. The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and other trade bodies have been actively discussing the tariff issue, with coverage in industry media about how these tariffs “will impact our industry” and calls for government dialogue to find solutions. This is truly a global issue requiring global input – from Polish miniatures studios to American board game designers to Chinese factory managers – and the collective effort may strengthen international relationships in the hobby in the long run.

Conclusion

The tariffs announced in April 2025 represent a significant shock to the global tabletop role-playing game industry. In the short term, they have increased costs, sowed uncertainty, and forced difficult choices for platforms, creators, and publishers alike. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Gamefound are adapting with new policies to shield backers, while creators are juggling how to fulfill promises without ruining their finances. The immediate impacts include project delays, rising prices, and frantic adjustments to logistics and supply chains.

Looking at the long-term implications, it’s clear the industry may never operate quite the same way again if these trade barriers persist. We can expect a period of realignment as manufacturing potentially shifts, pricing models are revamped, and companies innovate to reduce dependency on any single country’s imports. While the U.S. market will feel the brunt of cost increases, the interconnected nature of the hobby means the ripple effects will be felt worldwide – from a dice maker in China facing lost orders, to a game store in Europe dealing with pricier American imports, to a PDF creator online observing changes in how people spend on games.

Crucially, throughout this turbulence, the passion of the TTRPG community remains a constant. Early evidence shows backers, players, and even retailers willing to adapt and support each other – whether that’s fans accepting a small surcharge to ensure a beloved project gets delivered, or publishers eating costs to keep trust with their audience. The collaborative spirit that defines role-playing gamers around the table is also manifesting in how the industry tackles these economic trials. As one creator put it during a tough update: “We will do everything in our power” to get the games to you. That determination, backed by creativity and community support, will be the key to weathering the storm of tariffs.

Only time will tell how long these trade policies last and how effectively the tabletop industry adapts. In the meantime, stakeholders at every level are learning hard lessons about global supply chains and contingency planning. Despite higher costs and looming challenges, the fundamental demand for storytelling, play, and connection that TTRPGs provide is not going away. The products and delivery methods may evolve under these new constraints, but the hobby will find ways to continue rolling dice and imagining worlds – albeit at a slightly higher price, and after clearing a few more hurdles at customs.

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