Its catalog has transitioned from a collection of niche, lesser-known oddities to a legitimate force in board game circles. Now Oink is an established brand, and it’s looking to take the next step with four new releases available at this year’s Gen Con.įrom my vantage point, this boutique publisher has attained a high level of success. This success brought attention to a deep back catalog, with titles such as A Fake Artist Goes to New York and Insider picking up steam among English-speaking audiences.
Oink’s first real North American hit came from 2014’s delightful Deep Sea Adventure, a game about pushing the limits of a diver’s oxygen tank while scooping up sunken treasure. As modern board games seem to get more complicated every day, Oink remains dedicated to its diminutive product line that seeks attention through eye-catching design and word-of-mouth advertising. The Japanese publisher is best known for pursuing an uncommon philosophy: small boxes with a striking art style.
In an industry dominated by American and European companies with massive, big-box campaign and strategy board games, Oink Games stands apart.
