Back to the Future
When discussing how designs are found, Elkins also explains that designs “come from an older game which was previously published that needs to find a new audience.” This spirit of working with established designers to rework or reintroduce their games has led to a fruitful relationship with renowned designer and mathematician, Dr. Reiner Knizia.
“When I was looking for new games to sign, I heard a podcast where Reiner talked about how he liked working with newer publishers (in addition to the large established ones, of course). So, I thought I’d reach out and introduce myself and see what happens. Sure enough, we started talking about what we could work on together.”
The discussions became serious enough that it led to 25th Century bringing back classic Knizia designs, as well as a new one. “Tutankhamun ended up a part of that conversation and is where we started. Simultaneously, I had also signed a new design which is what would later become Longboard. I think the trust and enthusiasm I showed for those projects helped continue the conversation when the classics came back to them from Fantasy Flight.”
One of those titles has been one the linchpins of the Reiner Renaissance of the past few years, RA. “I was very fortunate to sign RA and still appreciate being given that opportunity, as they could have signed that game with any publisher in the world much bigger than my little studio,” Elkins gushes. “The relationship with Knizia Games isn’t ending with RA, it’s actually only the beginning. We have several other games in the works, and I am very excited to reveal them over the next year!”