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  "description": "More than 400 attendees looked at new designs from dozens of creators",
  "path": "/indie-games-spotlight-game-market-west-spring-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-01T16:00:23.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wericmartin.com",
  "tags": [
    "Game Market West",
    "Guildhouse",
    "Studio Cassava",
    "Chicken Games",
    "Emily Hancock",
    "HeartBeasts",
    "Ryuutama",
    "Fabula Ultima",
    "updates",
    "apply as a designer"
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  "textContent": "In March 2026, Game Market West returned to Guildhouse in San Jose, California, with creators and attendees being featured on the local news. Very exciting!\n\nIt's not every day that indie tabletop designers get this kind of spotlight. Seeing our community highlighted on a mainstream platform shows that there's growing interest in small, creative voices and the unique experiences they bring to games.\n\nFor the games at this event, several designs embraced cozy or wholesome play: **_The Anti-Anxiety Card Game_** focused on mindfulness and connection, **_Barista of the Month_** captured the joy of serving customers, and **_Light Up The Night_** delivered a solo puzzle of chasing fireflies into star patterns. These games highlighted a trend toward emotionally driven and accessible gameplay.\n\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • •\n\n## _The Anti-Anxiety Card Game_ , by Studio Cassava (Jared & Hannah)\n\nIt's a relaxing 1-2 player card game that helps reduce anxiety for college students and all ages through fun self-care prompts. Play alone or with a partner, connect with each other through mindfulness connections, and explore silly prompts like sharing your favorite joke, or Lo-fi song — or just forcing each other to go on a walk during the game!\n\n## _Barista of the Month_ , by Anthony Barbieri (Chicken Games)\n\nManage your ingredients to serve the perfect cup of coffee in this quick and competitive tabletop card game! I wanted to highlight this game as it was very much a labor of love. Each card was cut out by the designer one by one.\n\n## **_Light Up The Night_ , by Andrew DiLullo**\n\nRun through fields of fireflies and chase them into the sky as a small child that believes that's how stars are formed. _Light Up The Night_ is a single-player puzzle game that sees you running through the firefly-laden fields to chase as many fireflies as you can, while trying to form specific types of stars that tighten your movement choices. The fields wax and wane as you chase fireflies away, so how many will you be able to launch into the sky in only six short rounds?\n\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • •\n\nDesigners also explored storytelling and RPGs.\n\n## _Florafiora: The Storytelling Card Game_ , by Emily Hancock\n\nThis is a co-operative storytelling card game for four players. Each player takes a turn as the lead storyteller/GM. Collaborate on a group backstory together, then explore the Storywheel, which is composed of alternating location and encounter cards. Tell a full story with no additional game prep in an hour!\n\n## HeartBeasts, by Charlie Huggins & Ajda Gokcen (Floppy Cat Games)\n\n_HeartBeasts_ is a collaborative TTRPG filled with magical creatures and cinematic, episodic, fast-paced gameplay inspired by video games and anime like _Pokémon_ and _Persona_. Its flexible, unique system draws from \"tabletalk\" RPG favorites Ryuutama and Fabula Ultima to weave strategy with storytelling.\n\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • •\n\nOverall, GMW Spring 2026 felt like a celebration of variety. Whether you came for quick party games, collaborative storytelling, or complex strategy, this season reinforced what we do best: showcasing bold ideas and the passionate designers behind them. We'll see you at the next Game Market West on **September 13, 2026**! You can sign up for updates or apply as a designer.\n\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • •\n\nLike what you read? Leave a tip to support independent board game journalism!\n\nLeave a tip",
  "title": "Indie Games Spotlight: Game Market West (Spring 2026)",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-01T16:00:22.511Z"
}