Project story
This project is a part of a Stable Pledge program.
learn about Stable Pledge 
The KeyForge game and IP was acquired in June ’22 by Ghost Galaxy, a new company by Christian T. Petersen, the original founder of Fantasy Flight Games.
With this campaign, Ghost Galaxy hopes to launch the next milestone in the KeyForge story with KeyForge: Winds of Exchange.
Why Back Now?
KEYFORGE has sold millions of decks in the past. Why should you back this crowdfunding campaign?
Good question! There are a number of reasons why we (Ghost Galaxy) have embarked on this campaign. We list the most important considerations below.
As a publisher, we must look for an answer to the question: "After an almost two-year publishing hiatus, are players interested in KeyForge?"
Trying to revive a tabletop game is very risky. This campaign allows us to gauge the size and commitment of the player-base to determine the viability of a KeyForge comeback.
There is much work to do and many roads to travel. To do so, we will need fuel.
A succesful campaignwould unlock resources to publish the next KeyForge expansion KeyForge: Winds of Exchange as well as assist with investment in other areas of the KeyForge ecosystem, such as organized play, migration of the "KeyForge Master Vault" data-base, rebuilding the deck-generating software (see below), and more.
The more we know, the better we can put our resources to use!
The degree of success of thiscampaign will provide valuable info on key factors, such as a) setting manufacturing run quantities, b) understanding where players are geographically, and c) gauging the unfortunate impact of global price increases.
Unlike nearly every other card game in existence, KeyForge relies wholly on complex software to create each unique deck prior to manufacturing.
While the software used to produce prior KeyForge products was tragically lost in that baleful year 2020, all hope was not extinguished. Fate would have it that, at the time we were approached to purchase KeyForge, a sister-company to Ghost Galaxy was already in the process of building new software to produce card games via digital printing.
Immediately after we closed on the KeyForge purchase this past June, we contracted that brilliant team (several being among the FFG team who built the original KeyForge software) to do the hard work of rebuilding the KeyForge deck-generation engine from scratch. They are already making rapid progress!
Proceeds from this campaign will help fund this expensive digital endeavor.
Relaunching a tabletop game requires significant and high-quality communications with the player base.
Engaging in this Gamefound campaign gives us the opportunity to interface directly with the KeyForge player community. It gives us feedback and ideas in real-time, allowing us to adjust our plans in rapid order. A successful campaign will also mean that we'll have contact information for thousands of KeyForge's most ardent fans, paving the way for better player communications long after the campaign has ended.
Enough about why Ghost Galaxy embarked on this campaign. Why should players back?
Why, other than helping KeyForge to return, there is the cool stuff! We have a range of amazing rewards for campaign backers. When backing, you'll be among the first to get your hands on KeyForge: Winds of Exchange decks, first to grace your table with gorgeous KeyForge-branded playmats, and perhaps you'll even spring for a custom KeyForge deck with a name of your choice baked into the Archon title.
So, whether you're a current, returning, or new KeyForge player, we hope that you will consider backing our project by selecting one of the Reward Pledges. They're great deals!
The Game
What is KeyForge? How does it play? What is Æmber? If you haven't played or heard of KeyForge before, the video below provides an excellent overview!
A typical game of KeyForge is played between two players, each taking the role of a legendary Archon of the Crucible. To win, a player must "forge" three "keys" before the opponent. To forge a key, players seek to collect the substance of "Æmber". If, at the start of a turn, a player has six or more Æmber, then one key is forged.
Æmber is collected by "reaping" with your active creatures, by stealing it from your opponent, or by playing or using various cards from your deck. Of course, you'll want to prevent your opponent from doing these things (or ensure that you do them faster).
Sound simple, yes? Of course, nothing in life is truly simple. In order to gain three keys, you must carefully consider your cards and options. Most importantly, you must choose which one of your three Houses to activate each turn, and then what actions to take with the cards of that House.
Each KeyForge decks consists of exactly 36 cards, being 12 cards from three different houses. At the start of your turn, you must choose which of your three Houses is active for that turn. Then, you may take actions such as playing cards, fighting, or using card abilities but only with cards from this turn's active House.
Now that you have taken your first steps into the wide and exciting world of KeyForge, will you stay to claim the Æmber that is rightfully yours?
Winds of Exchange
WINDS OF EXCHANGE INTRODUCES a number of new elements to the game, including a new house, the Merchant Compacts of Ekwidon, new “token creature” mechanics, and sees the return of several older Houses including fan-favorites Brobnar and Mars.
The Houses of Winds of Exchange
The next KeyForge set will features the following houses: Brobnar, Ekwidon, Mars, Unfathomable, Sanctum, Saurian, and Star Alliance. Are you prepared for these combinations?
The Merchant Compacts of Ekwidon
The new House introduced to the Crucible with KeyForge: Winds of Exchange are an odd bunch, literally.
The Merchant Compacts of Ekwidon (House Ekwidon, for short) are a vast network of traders obsessed with making deals and new investments across the Crucible. They are masters of subtly gaining the upper hand in any situation.
Members of House Ekwidon travel throughout the Crucible serving as diplomats, arbitrators, traders, and artists. They have absorbed and inspired a myriad of cultures, and talented individuals of all species and backgrounds are welcomed into their ranks. They are commonly found working alongside their insect-like cybernetic companions known as “synthsects.”
The most numerous species within House Ekwidon are the Getrookya: asymmetrical creatures whose anatomy has been adapted to complex discourse and negotiation. They have a hard carapace and multiple limbs: one oversized and powerful arm (the disagreement arm), one mid-sized arm (the expressive arm), and two small arms, one of which is ends in a bowl-shaped appendage (the weighing arm) and the other in three slender fingers (the counting arm). They have two thin legs and a muscular tail that they often use as a third leg.
All members of House Ekwidon prefer to wear dramatic clothing featuring bright colors and asymmetrical patterns and cuts. Individuality is held in high esteem, so most also heavily accessorize their outfits to express their areas of speciality, experiences, and personal tastes. A very popular accessory is the “talking tray” that is held in one hand and used to display a visual summary of the current state of a negotiation, or a proposed deal.
Token Creatures
Perhaps the defining characteristic of Winds of Exchange, is the Token Creature mechanic. Every deck will come with a designed token creature card which acts as the template for all "token creatures" that your deck generates via card effects.
When generating a token creature, take the top card of your deck and place it into the battle-line, as you would a normal creature card. Unlike normal creatures, however, the token creature is placed face-down, signifying that it is a token creature matching the token creature template of its player's deck.
How to Play?
Perhaps all this KeyForge-goodness has given you an appetite to learn how to play? Perhaps you are ready to jump into the gritty details and start down the Æmber-paved road of the Archons? If so, we'd love to have you onboard! For the next step in your journey, we think this Geek and Sundry video does a great and comprehensive job of teaching KeyForge!
(Note that this video uses the older "Call of the Archon's" starter set by Fantasy Flight Games, which is no longer available. The 2-Player Starter Set featured in this campaign will provide similar components to those shown).
Rewards
Stretch goals (8/8 unlocked)
Next to unlock
No new stretch goals to unlock.
Already unlocked
$750,000 pledged
An Even Bigger Crucible of Languages
$600,000 pledged
Unchained Melody
$550,000 pledged
An Unlikely Invitation
$500,000 pledged
A Crucible of Languages
$450,000 pledged
Something Sinister Comes
$400,000 pledged
Are you Unchained?
$300,000 pledged
More Wind, More Exchange!
$250,000 pledged
Free Token Creature Card Set
Add-ons
Original Campaign Add-ons
Grab a copy of an Add-on from the Winds of Exchange Campaign
- Featured
- Featured
Reviews
Reviews of KeyForge have been many and amazing. Here are some of the most fun and informative.
Shut Up and Sit Down
Dicebreaker
Not a fan of Video Reviews? Here are some neat written reviews:
Shipping
Please find our worldwide shipping fee estimates detailed below.
Note the following
- Rates are estimates only and subject to change
- Rates include all unlocked stretch-goal items
- Rates do not include any consideration for multiple pledges or add-on items. Additional shipping charges for multiple pledges or add-on items will be calculated at the pledge manager level.
If you don't see your country in the categories below, please check "More Countries" at the bottom, as we've added select additional countries to the campaign (Iceland, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa).
(Canada) Canadian rates apply only for generally populated areas (this covers 98% of Canadian addresses). Distant Canadian regions may be subject to a higher shipping fee.
(Asia) The rates above apply only if this campaign gets 300+ pledges to the countries above (combined). If the campaign does not meet this minimum, your shipping fee will be calculated in the pledge manager.
(Australia) The Australia rates above apply only if this campaign gets 300+ pledges to Australia. If the campaign does not meet this minimum, your shipping fee will be calculated in the pledge manager.
My Country is Missing!
Unfortunately, we are unable to ship to Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Africa, or Central and South America (except S.Africa). If your country is not among these, but still missing above, please send us a message in this campaign, and we'll try to add it if possible.
Duties, Taxes, and Fees
Please read the duties, fees, and tax implications below as they apply to your country.
United States: Residents of Minnesota will be subject to a 6.5% MN sales tax. Sales tax in other states may apply.
United Kingdom: A 20% VAT will be charged to your order on completion of the pledge manager
European Union: VAT (variable on EU country of residence) will be charged to your order on completion of the pledge manager
All Other Countries: Your shipment may be subject to local duties, taxes, and fees upon product entry into your country.
Refunds and cancellation
Stable Pledge
This project is a part of the Stable Pledge program. The creator guarantees a full refund to backers if the change in any price estimates after the campaign's end is bigger than 10%. Backers will be granted a 100% refund upon request made within 14 days after the change announcement. Gamefound will pay back its provision to the creator, who is solely responsible for refunds. Learn more.
Backers may cancel their pledge during the campaign without penalty. After the campaign has closed, up to closing of the pledge manager, cancelled pledges are eligible for refund less a 10% administration fee. Refunds will not be available after the pledge manager has closed.
Risks and challenges
Ghost Galaxy is staffed by a reputable team of individuals with extensive experience in game design, production, and logistics. While working at Fantasy Flight Games and Asmodee, we've overseen the successful publication of thousands of card game, role playing, and board game products over the last 25 years. You may read the bio of our CEO and founder here.
However, no project is without risk, this one included. Risks to this project may include, but are not limited to, shipping delays and obstructions, material and manpower shortages, disruptions in the financial system, departure of key staff members, war, terrorism, or natural catastrophes.
Other Terms and Conditions
DAMAGED OR MISSING ITEMS
We guarantee that the product you receive from this campaign will be complete and meet normal manufacturing tolerances. Within 30 days of receipt of your shipment, if your product is missing or has damaged components, we will make our best effort to send you replacement pieces at no charge to you, or we may determine to provide a refund instead.
Due to the many physical factors in handling and environmental conditions persistent in cross-country and international shipping, we do not replace boxes/packaging with scuffs, dents, scratches, or tears. If your product packaging is materially and structurally damaged, we will need to make a claim with the carrier for a full replacement instead. As the evidence of mishandling will be in your possession, you may be asked to make the replacement claim directly with the responsible carrier.
IMPORTANT: Due to the unique nature of KeyForge decks, we cannot replace a damaged or incomplete deck, so you will receive a new (and unique) deck as replacement.
RETURNED OR UNDELIVERABLE PRODUCTS
If you a) refuse to accept your package delivery, b) if the shipment is unable to be deliver the package with the given address information and we have been unable to correct this despite good-faith efforts, or c) if the package is not delivered after a reasonable amount of attempts by the local carrier, then you will forfeit the shipment without refund.
PLEDGE MANAGER DEADLINE
It is your responsibility to complete the pledge manager in a timely manner, and to ensure the address is correct for proper fulfillment. We will send out numerous reminders to complete the Pledge Manager via Gamefound or the email address provided during your pledge.
CHANGES IN FINAL OUTCOME
You acknowledge that the final look, details, and materials of the pledge reward items are subject to change and may differ from what is presented here.
KeyForge and the KeyForge logo are registered trademarks of Ghost Galaxy, Inc. 2022 All Rights Reserved.
Creator responsible for this project: Ghost Galaxy Inc doing business as Ghost Galaxy.