Charlie Hall

Illinois

Senior Editor, Tabletop Games at Polygon

Senior editor, tabletop games @Polygon. Founding member @vox_union, member @WGAEast. [email protected] Threads/Instagram: charlie_l_hall | bsky: charliehall

Articles

Trump tariffs trap Gloomhaven overseas, and the publisher is furious

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

It’s no exaggeration to say the release of Gloomhaven, the campaign-in-a-box board game, was a watershed moment for the tabletop industry in 2017. Here was a high-concept physical product that weighed close to 18 pounds. Inside were modular tiles and plastic miniatures, maps and secret envelopes, all adding up to an experience to be shared with family and friends over 100 or more unique gameplay sessions.
Trump tariffs trap Gloomhaven overseas, and the publisher is furious

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

It’s no exaggeration to say that the release of Gloomhaven, the campaign-in-a-box board game, was a watershed moment for the tabletop industry in 2017. Here was a high-concept physical product that weighed close to 18 pounds. Inside were modular tiles and plastic miniatures, maps and secret envelopes, all adding up to an experience to be shared with family and friends over 100 or more unique gameplay sessions.
Trump tariffs trap Gloomhaven overseas, and the publisher is furious

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Charlie Hall

NowThe president has grown more impulsive, more vindictive, and more anarchic. Last Monday, Donald Trump, seeking to fortify public support for his massive, across-the-board tariffs, posted: “The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be …
What Helldivers 2: The Board Game draws from Helldivers 1, the video game

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

Many a developer has tried to translate a shooter video game into a board game. Among the best I’ve played was Fantasy Flight Games’ Tannhauser, now out of print, which used a subtly coded game board to communicate things like range and line of sight. It’s a challenge that the team at Steamforged Games recently tackled in the development of Helldivers 2: The Board Game. Their solution? Make a different kind of game entirely.
Helldivers 2 board game looks rad, but the fine print about Trump’s tariffs is a real drag

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

With just seven days to go in an abbreviated two-week campaign, Steamforged has more than met its goal for Helldivers 2: The Board Game. At time of writing the campaign for the one-to-four-player tactical action game has achieved more than 2,000% of its stated goal, strolling in at the equivalent of $1.6 million. Delivery is promised some time in 2026.
Temur Roar is the new must-have Commander deck for MTG’s Tarkir: Dragonstorm

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Charlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 12-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy. Over the last few months I’ve gotten way, WAY into Commander.
Trump tariffs could shrink board game publishing by nearly 25%

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

Nearly a quarter of publishers polled said they’d stop making board games entirelyCharlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 12-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy. Less than two weeks after the Trump administration’s announcement of historically high tariffs on virtually all goods imported into the United States, the board game industry appears set for an unexpected reckoning.
Hate putting decals on your painted miniatures? Try stampin’ instead.

1 week ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

Image: eBay Miniatures Rescue via YouTubeCharlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 12-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy. Two well-known creators in the miniatures gaming space are suddenly getting way into nail art — you know, the other painting hobby enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
Suspended these Mandalorians are from the Star Wars: Unlimited TCG

2 weeks ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

Graphic: Charlie Hall/Polygon | Source Images: Fantasy Flight Games and LucasfilmCharlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 12-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy. It’s been quite the season for suspending cards from play in popular trading card games.
How to compete in the Golden Demons

2 weeks ago | polygon.com | Charlie Hall

Charlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 12-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy. Every year that I visit AdeptiCon, the premier wargaming convention hosted each year here in the United States’ Midwest, I think about entering the North American Golden Demons.