Press Release and Invitation: Discover the World of SYNCANITE
- Dirk Vandereyken
- Nov 22
- 5 min read
Press Release & Invitation: Discover the World of SYNCANITE
We are pleased to invite journalists, bloggers, vloggers and influencers to explore the immersive world of Syncanite, a thrilling strategy board game Syncanite Foundation (by Timon L. Thöne / Syncanite GmbH) based on a novel about power grabs, political scheming, and military conquest he completed in 2015 and to finally be published in 2026. Review copies are available (in limited supply) now upon request, along with interviews with the creator, advance access to press materials, and exclusive opportunities around the upcoming crowdfunding launch.
What you can request from us today:
A review copy of Syncanite Foundation (base game and/or expansions) with updated rulebook and German-English translations as soon as they become available. We have some copies of the first edition with revised rulebook (PDF or print) available now. The second edition will be available soon after the 2026 Q1 crowdfunding campaign. The first printing suffered from translation issues because of third party issues, but this was almost immediately recrified by releasing a new rulebook! With another revision coming out soon, you will be covered withot the need for errata!
A Zoom, telephone, or in-person interview (in English or German) with Timon L. Thöne.
Access to high-resolution visuals, updated PDF rulebook, photographs, logo, and press kit.
Early registration link to the forthcoming crowdfunding campaign in 2026 Q1 – press may pre-register now to receive exclusive preview alerts and bonus tiers.
Please share the following links with your audiences:
About Syncanite Foundation
Syncanite Foundation is a deep economic-strategy and area-control board game set in a ‘crystal-punk’ science fantasy world, with an epic setting (like Twilight Imperium, but easier and much faster), deep and interconnected economic and political system (like Hegemony, but a little bit more togue-in-cheek), and asymmetric area control (like Root, but more accessible, as the asymmetry evolves while playing).
Uniquely, the game mechanics evolve and deepen the game while playing the game. This happens through the actual consequences of player actions, which impact and destabilize the world, getting its population closer to famine, war, or even eventual annihilation. The biggest problem of area control games – the danger of several players teaming up on another – is solved through a punishment mechanic that gives outcast players access to ultima ratio measures (a last resort for dealing with their problems that might just take on extinction-level proportions).
Players take on the roles of unscrupulous oligarchs manipulating news media, armies, markets, parliaments and a variety of crises as they vie for power and dominance. In a sense, they try to enrich themselves in preparation for doomsday.
From trade to war, from bribery to political manoeuvering, every action alters the state of the board – and can trigger crisis-mechanics that unlock new paths to victory while making other venues less viable as the game mechanics themselves change. Maybe they will finally stand together against the dark forces vying for world supremacy (there is a cooperative way of winning this otherwise highly-competitive game), maybe they will end up warring against each other for control of the precious Syncanite deposits, maybe time will run out before a final decision can be made. Whatever the case, Syncanite is an absolutely thrilling and fun game that mixes fun, tactics, bargaining, social interaction, and backstabbing manoeuvers to a more or less equal degree.
Syncanite Foundation benefits from years of playtesting and listening to gamer input, such as the introduction of handshake deals as a mechanic after demoing the game during the Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo 2025, in the state of New York. Just like in real life, even these deals can be broken… but doing so usually incurs heavy punishment, as players get excluded from victory options.
Educational Value
Moreover, Syncanite Foundation is, unfortunately, culturally and politically relevant in a time when humanity seems to be facing some of its darkest moments in the real world. Unsurprisingly, creator Timon was even asked by several school boards to come and teach about not just the game, but also the actual mechanics unfolding on the world stage. As an educational tool, it not only teaches how power dynamics work and how they are all too often mishandled and abused, but also how to counter them in the defence of democracy and human morality.
About the Art
In order to get the right look & feel while still being able to provide a great game at a reasonable price tag for an upstart company, some AI art was used. However, all art was also manually adjusted and the human factor contributed significantly to the final result. The next crowdfunding campaign will be partially focused at replacing some or all of the AI art (depending on stretch goals reached) with 100% human-made illustrations.
Key Updates & Highlights
At Essen Spiel 2025 – world’s largest tabletop game convention – Syncanite Foundation enjoyed a strong reception: the German-language expansion sold out, the premium expansion/‘Puppet Master’ pledge (with full premium materials) also completely sold out. The Puppet Master even sold out entirely and will not be available online until possibly being included in the next crowdfunding campaign again.
There will be a new crowdfunding campaign coming soon (via Gamefound). It’s scheduled for Q1 2026 and, of course, press can pre-register to follow. The new Gamefound campaign will not only feature a revised version of the original game, but also the first of three brand-new expansions, so make sure to get in touch with us now!
Syncanite Foundation will be translated in even more languages soon – check in with us to find out about which new languages will be added as we are allowed to divulge more information in just a few weeks from now!
The rulebook has been updated: the first version has been available for download for a while, after which a new rulebook, The Community Rulebook, was co-written with the Syncanite fanbase following one of the biggest such blind-test outreaches in the history of independent European tabletop gaming, with more than 1,000 testers contributing. Both the German original and the English translation are now heading to a professional editor to get ready for a new official edition. Final editor-corrected versions are expected to be released this year.
Syncanite Foundation is listed on boardgame platforms (e.g. BoardGameGeek) and available via both and online shop and the Gamefound late-pledge shop for late backers. Even with its original rulebook, Syncanite Foundation got a high 8.0 review score on BoardgameGeek. The expansions currently even rank at 9.0 and 9.3! We fully expect the newly-edited versions to do even better!
Media Event and Workshop: Brussels & Antwerp
Timon L. Thöne was present in Brussels on 14 & 15 November, at the Association of European Journalists (Brussels/International) General Assembly.
On Saturday, he hosted a workshop on Power Politics in AED Studios, Kontich (Antwerp region) – Belgium’s largest movie studios and one of the largest such studios in Europe – exploring how political mechanisms, economic control and crisis-trigger mechanics influence much of our life, all through a live Syncanite play session.
How to Participate & RSVP
Please reply to this mail, email to dirk@badasspr.com, or WhatsApp +32 494 38 27 44) with:
Your media outlet name and URL (blog / vlog / social / magazine)
Your preferred review format (print, web, video) and review copy requested
Whether you’d like to interview Timon (and your preferred time slot)
If you wish to preregister for the upcoming crowdfunding campaign (we’ll send exclusive access link and press-kit) and forthcoming 2nd edition review copies.
Press release copies, high-res images, trailer links and further game documentation will be delivered after your confirmation.
Get in Touch
The game enjoyed a successful showing at Essen Spiel 2025 and has garnered strong interest from strategy-board-game aficionados, so don’t hesitate and join us in delving deeper into the world of Syncantite!
Warm regards,
Dirk Vandereyken
Head of Press & Media Relations
Badass PR
+32 (0)494 38 27 44
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