So while back at Origins, Nick managed to have a chat with Monica from Cephalofair Games, who are definitely well known in the boardgames industry! Not so much in the RPG scene, which made for some absolutely hilarious moments when our playgroup tried Gloomhaven for the first time.
We won’t name names, but while we all loved how well all the components fit in the box, some of us had trouble with applying stickers. You know who you are. 😉
Now on to hearing a little more about what Cephalofair has up their sleeve!
Nick Porterfield: I am here with Monica Paprocki, Marketing Manager with Cephalofair Games. How are you today?
Monica Paprocki (M): I’m great, Nick. Thank you so much for having me.
Absolutely – I’m extremely excited to finally get some one-on-one time with you guys and not a moment too soon with all of your new stuff on the way! For those who somehow haven’t heard of Cephalophair, Gloomhaven, or Frosthaven, tell us a little bit about Cephalofair Games and who you guys are.
M: Absolutely. So we’re Cephalophair Games, makers of epic board games. For those not familiar, we’re known for our dungeon crawler games, which became extremely popular during the pandemic. Our games often intertwine, allowing you to play any characters across different games, except for Buttons & Bugs, which plays a little differently. We’ve got a lot of award-winning games just because of how versatile they are and how people immerse themselves in our games.
The pandemic played a big role for a lot of companies here at Origins. Gloomhaven was already big, but it exploded during lockdown because people were at home. Not only did you deal with a massive influx of new players, but you also launched a Kickstarter for Frosthaven, a follow-up to one of the largest games ever (Literally and metaphorically speaking!).
Where were the thoughts of the team during the pandemic and what made you guys feel like it was the right time?
M: Before the pandemic, we were already planning Frosthaven, a prequel to Gloomhaven. I was really excited about that project as it was my first time working for the company, initially as a cosplayer and now as the Marketing Manager.
Frosthaven stays true to Gloomhaven but includes worker placement mechanics. You’re not just fighting monsters and grabbing loot; you’re also building up the Frosthaven outpost to defend against elements and monsters, collecting medicine, food, making armor, and constructing towers for defense. So it’s a mix of both a dungeon crawler and a world-builder game. A funny note about Frosthaven actually: We added so many components to the game, that we had to hire a submarine engineer to help organize the components into the box. Due to their amazing performance, that is how we ended up with a 35-pound box!
You’ve now got a new game, Buttons & Bugs, which is a major shift for Cephalofair Games, as you are going from the biggest box in board gaming to what might be the smallest!
What inspired this format change?
M: We listen to our fans a lot! Buttons & Bugs started as a joke on our forums where fans suggested we make the smallest game possible. Staying true to the dimensions of Gloomhaven, we created a smaller, more accessible game. Many fans found it hard to find players for our big box games, so we wanted to cater to solo gamers. Joe Klipfel, who won a competition with Gloomholden’, the prototype for Buttons & Bugs, and award-winning designer Nikki Valens is the co-creator. It’s the soul of Gloomhaven in a tiny box.
Buttons & Bugs sounds fantastic and seems like it might be a good jumping-off point for customers not as familiar with your games.
Any other secrets or upcoming projects you can share?
M: Some are not so secret, but I’m happy to share. Gloomhaven Second Edition is coming before the year ends. There’s been confusion about whether it’s a reprint or a revision, but it’s a brand-new game with updated scenarios, rebalanced characters & monsters, new artwork, and a new boss at the end of the campaign. We’re also launching the Gloomhaven RPG around the same time as our miniature line, which includes all our monster minis and starter characters. We’ve also partnered with Army Painter to provide some base paints to help customers get going even easier. (Learn more about the Gloomhaven RPG on their BackerKit Page)
Partnering with Army Painter is a great move, especially with their new Warpaints Fanatic line. It’s exciting to see you making tabletop gaming more accessible.
Let’s round up with some rapid-fire questions: What’s your favorite piece of content you’ve worked on?
M: Right now, my favorite project is the diorama for Buttons & Bugs. We hired Brushwood Minis to paint our minis, and the photos, taken by Kovray, turned out amazing. They’re currently working on a video for it as well.
For someone wanting to get into this space, what advice would you give?
M: I came from a diverse background, initially working as an accountant while doing cosplay. I started in the industry as a press, covering conventions and getting interested in cosplay. It became a business, and I was eventually hired by Cephalophair Games. My advice is to get yourself out there, talk to people, and be passionate about what you do.
Any final words for your supporters?
M: Absolutely! Hey, everyone at Cephalophair Games, we have a lot of new stuff coming out. Keep an eye on our social media for spoilers and updates. We have more exciting announcements coming next year!
Thank you very much for your time, Monica.
So if you’re interested in learning more about Cephalofair Games and their products, be sure to check out their website. With a little more pressure, maybe Jazion’ll finally get around to painting Gloomhaven miniatures too. 😡
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