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It's an uncertain time in the gaming industry, amid the sweeping tariffs placed on goods imported into the US. Just weeks after publishing a blog post on Steve Jackson Games's website about the impact of the tariffs, Meredith Placko is resigning as CEO of the company, as per another blog post.  

In her April 3, 2025 blog post entitled, "Tariffs Are Driving Up Game Prices Now," Placko shed light on the challenges facing board game companies right now. Placko wrote, "A product we might have manufactured in China for $3.00 last year could now cost $4.62 before we even ship it across the ocean. Add freight, warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution margins, and that once-$25 game quickly becomes a $40 product. That's not a luxury upcharge; it's survival math."

Placko was also quick to address the question of manufacturing within the US. "I wish we could. But the infrastructure to support full-scale boardgame production – specialty dice making, die-cutting, custom plastic and wood components – doesn't meaningfully exist here yet. I've gotten quotes. I've talked to factories. Even when the willingness is there, the equipment, labor, and timelines simply aren't... There is no national plan in place to support manufacturing for the types of products we make. This isn't about steel and semiconductors. This is about paper goods, chipboard, wood tokens, plastic trays, and color-matched ink. These new tariffs are imposing huge costs without providing alternatives, and it's going to cost American consumers more at every level of the supply chain."

Placko will be returning to Turbo Dork, a miniature paint company. Steve Jackson Games is the company behind board games such as Munchkin, Illuminati, Zombie Dice, and Car Wars. 

The gaming industry has come a long way since Pong blew all our minds in the 70s. We've got everything you need to know about the next big thing in games. Of course, Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be the big game of 2026, but there are plenty of other games coming out between now and then. Here is our starter guide for every gamer:

• All upcoming games in 2025 and beyond
• Gamify My Life, our weekly gaming column designed
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And be sure to check Popverse regularly for the latest gaming news.