Development work was completed on Xeno Counterstrike in May. We had hoped that the art team would be able to do the art over this past summer, in line with a projected Q4 2023 release.

However, in June we discovered that the printer no longer has access to the paper stock used for Race for the Galaxy‘s cards. The paper manufacturer has discontinued this paper. This was a concern, not only for XCS, but also for all future Race reprints.

While many players sleeve their games, some are very sensitive to slight changes in color or texture as will result when a new paper stock is substituted.

After a few months investigation to figure out whether this paper stock is truly unavailable and whether it could possibly be obtained directly, RGG will now be placing a special order directly with the paper manufacturer arranging for a large supply of this paper stock to be sent to the printer to be earmarked not only for XCS, but also the next RFTG reprint, and possibly a Arc1 Expansion & Brinkmanship reprint.

However, during this investigation period, the art team shifted to other projects. One member is about to take a sabbatical for several months; they now have competing projects; and the over 70 separate card illustrations needed for XCS means this project can’t be easily slotted in. So, after discussions between RGG and the art team, we have now rescheduled XCS for Q4 2024 and arranged for the paper order and printing to be done in late Q3.

Sorry for the delay, but maintaining paper and printing consistency for expansions to be shuffled in over more than 15 years is a challenge in our industry.

Saxony’s energy revolution was so impactful that everyone wanted to start using Nucleums in their regions. Australia’s huge deposits of uranium were ripe for the taking, leading to visionaries — lured by the vast number of possibilities — visiting the continent and changing it into a new global power. Here, these entrepreneurs have to face new challenges presented by the sheer size of the continent. Fortunately, the clever use of shipping lanes will help them transport resources more efficiently than by rail and even gain access to the nearby island of Tasmania, where a mad scientist conducting his own experiments managed to replicate Elsa’s invention, which is now proudly presented as an experimental power plant in the island’s capital of Hobart.

Nucleum: Australia comes with a new map that introduces several new concepts and rule changes to the Nucleum base game. Use shipping lanes to expand your networks, build your own coal mines, and try the expert variant with bidding for the experiments.