https://www.montecookgames.com/tariffs-mcg-and-your-games/
MCG's response to the current tariff situation is fine with me. It did not become political, struck an even chord, and was more business-focused than I expected. There is even a statement in there saying, "This is not political," and I trust them. I don't want gaming to be political, either. I want everyone to come together at the gaming table and share ideas, have fun, get to understand each other, and talk.
I like their games, too.
This must hurt them pretty hard, since a lot of their new games are there bug, boxed, "experience games" with lots of cards, dice, folios, trays, tokens, and other pieces. They are being honest with us, and I do not see that as a problem.
Would I like them to source more US manufacturing? Yes! People who have jobs here and can live the American dream, put food on the table, and get their kids through school, is what everyone wants.
I would also like to see overseas workers receive equal wages and a standard of living comparable to that in the United States, and for their industries to adhere to the same rules. You can't be for workers' rights and environmental protections here and ignore the plight of others overseas. Sorry, we care about everyone, and the current situation is causing damage to populations, economies, world stability, and health that is not sustainable.
I get the feeling the era of "cheap imported goods" is coming to an end.
This era has likely caused centuries of environmental damage overseas. It will only increase global tension as the massive population discovers that they have polluted their rivers and land for short-term gain, and they will need to migrate (or expand violently) to find new land to exploit and ruin. This modern, hyper-capitalist industrial era is like a never-ending wildfire; unless it is carefully monitored and controlled, it will consume and destroy everything it touches, making everyone else's lives worse in its wake.
I am still a capitalist and believe in free markets, but I am not stupid, either. I remember my mother talking about lead paint, DDT, leaded gas, toxic rivers, acid rain, chemical-contaminated land, cancer-causing agents, radiation from nuclear testing, rampant cigarette use, and so many more catastrophes in this country due to the same thing. Sustainability applies to everyone, even when we buy from overseas.
I hope this new era brings a few more assurances that the plastic pieces used in our games came from sources that did not cause worker suffering or environmental damage overseas. At least in this country, manufacturers have to play by the rules. Can I have fun with a game that caused harm and suffering overseas? If it means paying a little more, then it is worth knowing I did something to help.
A better world comes from billions of tiny decisions to do one small thing better each and every day.
Make yourself a part of that.
You will do more good by spending your energy on one minuscule positive thing at a time rather than trying to change everything all at once.
Be the change you want to see.
Would I pay more for these "experience games?" I would if I found them compelling and worth the value I was getting. Mind you, I play solo, so games with a lot of pieces and components aren't my focus, but if a game has a compelling setting and story, then I'm on board. Even a hundred-dollar boxed set will provide more than hundreds of hours of entertainment quickly.
Even Daggerheart is an experience game with all the cards, and I fully expect the next version of D&D to follow that model. It is only a matter of time, and D&D 6 will be almost entirely card-based, with each new adventure module giving you more cards to play with. It's five to ten years away, but Daggerheart established the model and opened the door to a potential nightmare future.
Your character won't be able to find a +1 sword unless it is on a card that came with an adventure module. Skills? Spells? Races? Backgrounds? All card-based, with special, rare ones being the most highly desirable ones. No cards? Not a legal character for organized play. Please buy some booster packs for the currently released adventure. I hope you get a few rare or unique cards, or your character won't be wanted at the higher levels of play.
Enjoy these games that are just written in books today.
The cost of these games is still inexpensive compared to the financial drain that mobile games put you under, and video games are going the same route. Card games are already lost, too. Remember, we are in the gaming market, and the recent collapse of Wizards' VTT project means that microtransactions for D&D have been pushed back by five years. I do not want to go that route with tabletop gaming.
Tariffs are a thing, just like recessions and market collapses are. Ultimately, they will be temporary. But if they give us a chance to reflect on what we were all doing over the last 10-20 years, that is a good thing. Part of me is happy we are waking up from this nightmare of cheap imported goods, and questions like this are being asked. Was the hobby indirectly causing suffering and harm for profit?
These are all valid questions, and honestly asking yourself, "How can I do better, and what have we learned?" is not political at all.
