PRESS RELEASE: Grail Games to release Knizia’s Stephensons Rocket and King’s Road

PRESS RELEASE: Grail Games to publish new editions of two classic Reiner Knizia games in 2017.
King’s Road will be released mid-2017, with art by Vincent Dutrait. Stephenson’s Rocket will be released in December, with art by Ian O’Toole. Neither title has been published for over 15 years.

Sydney, Australia – Friday, January 13th, 2017. Today, Grail Games announced that it will be publishing two classic Reiner Knizia games in 2017: King’s Road and Stephenson’s Rocket.

King’s Road is a re-implementation of Imperium, last published in 2001. It is due to be released mid-2017, and will feature art by Vincent Dutrait (Medici, Lewis & Clark, Broom Service, etc.) Stephenson’s Rocket, last published in 1999, will feature artwork from Ian O’Toole (The Gallerist, Vinhos, Lisboa, etc.) Grail Games also plans to produce a previously un-released expansion map for Stephenson’s Rocket that features the eastern United States. Both titles are from famed board game designer Dr Reiner Knizia (Medici, Tigris & Euphrates, Samurai, Ra, etc.)

Stephenson’s Rocket, a route-building and bidding game, has a devoted fan-base. Widely considered to be Knizia’s best design not to be re-printed since its original release, this new edition of Stephenson’s Rocket will be highly anticipated. The game, its mechanisms, and goals, will be refreshed and presented in a clear and beautiful art style from famed board game illustrator Ian O’Toole.

In Stephenson’s Rocket, players take the role of rail barons at the dawn of the rail age in England. Players will attempt to gain the most influence and prestige amongst the different railroads vying for dominance, by expanding and merging the various lines. It is a highly interactive game – other players may use their clout with a railroad to veto another player’s move.

King’s Road is an area-majority game. Each player has identical decks of eleven cards. On a turn, players simultaneously select the three cards they will play, and in what order. To win, players not only have to influence the king as he traverses the land, but attempt to read the minds of their opponents. The superb artwork of Vincent Dutrait will transport players to a rich fantasy land, as they attempt to sway the king to their favour.

“I am very excited to announce the upcoming release of these titles,” said publisher David Harding. “The new presentation of Stephenson’s Rocket and its expansion will please current fans and attract new ones, while King’s Road, with its fast play time and meaty choices, will deserve a place in any gamer’s collection. We are so pleased to be able to continue releasing great games from one of our greatest designers.”

King’s Road is for 2-5 players and takes approximately 30 minutes to play. The game will include: 1 game board, 55 cards, 75 player markers, and 1 king marker. It’s MSRP will be approximately $30USD. Stephenson’s Rocket is for 2-4 players and takes approximately 60 minutes to play. The game will include: 1 game board, 60 rail tiles, 45 city and passenger tokens, 28 station tokens, 28 player markers, and 7 locomotive miniatures. It’s MSRP will be approximately $50USD. Accurate release dates and MSRPs will be announced soon. Please stay tuned to www.grailgames.com.au for more info.

These two titles join our 2017 release schedule that also includes: Doughnut Drive-Thru, Medici: The Card Game, and Hang 12. Please visit our website or www.boardgamegeek.com for more info on these games.

King’s Road – mid-2017

About Grail Games: Grail Games is a board and card game publishing studio located in Sydney, Australia. Our games, including Elevenses, Cat Box and Medici, are available worldwide. Our focus is on board and card games that are family friendly, fast to teach, and that offer depth and replayability. We create games of excellent component quality that offer a very high Depth to Box Size Ratio. To find out more, please visit www.grailgames.com.au