Asmodee has taken ownership of the Cthulhu: Death May Die board game franchise following financial troubles faced by its previous owner, CMON. CMON reported staggering losses of nearly $7 million over the past year, prompting the company to offload various intellectual properties to stabilize its financial situation. The immensely popular Cthulhu: Death May Die, created by renowned designers Eric M. Lang and Rob Daviau, is now under the stewardship of tabletop powerhouse Asmodee. This transition means that Asmodee will fully assume the responsibilities from CMON for the franchise’s new release, Cthulhu: Death May Die – Forbidden Reaches.
Forbidden Reaches quickly garnered impressive support, amassing $3.9 million in crowdfunding pledges after its launch on Gamefound last year. CMON assures backers that, despite the changes, “almost nothing changes” regarding pledges and rewards. However, they also mentioned that “delivery will be delayed” due to the transition. Asmodee emphasized, “Our top priority is to deliver the game you’ve been waiting for with the quality and care it deserves.”
Exciting Releases and Community Engagement
One of the highlights of the board gaming landscape is an award-winning title making a return with a Special Edition, though it’s important to act fast to secure a copy.
Backing campaigns can lead to incredible outcomes, as demonstrated by the Don’t Starve board game, which initially sought $50,000 and instead raised nearly $4 million on Kickstarter. The team encourages their community, stating, “With a community like yours, is anything impossible?”
Betrayal at House on the Hill, a personal favorite of mine, is currently available at a significant discount for Prime Day.
(Image credit: CMON, Asmodee) Asmodee’s acquisition of the Cthulhu franchise isn’t its first; the company previously acquired the Zombicide series. This move came shortly after the new tariffs in the US negatively impacted CMON, leading to halted development on new projects and staff layoffs. The Gamefound update reflects the bittersweet nature of this transition: “While it’s bittersweet to say farewell, we can’t wait to see what the future holds and what Asmodee has in store for the Elder Ones.”
It will be fascinating to observe the developments, as Asmodee also owns the Lovecraftian-inspired Arkham Horror franchise. There’s speculation on whether Cthulhu: Death May Die will receive the Arkham Horror branding, similar to the game Unfathomable.
Cthulhu: Death May Die – £109.99 now discounted to $117.94 at Wayland Games.
If you’re seeking something fresh to enjoy, consider exploring the top two-player board games or adult-themed games currently available!