Button Shy Micro Games: Spring 2026 (Astro ROVE, Jarl)

Quick Updates

April 21: Canada pledges are open! See full details in the shipping section below.
April 22: UK we now have two pledge options available. Please read the full shipping section below as they are quite different. 
April 23: Australia we now have two pledge options available. Please read the full shipping section below as they are quite different. 
April 30: And the Secret Reprint is.... Numbsters! Now available as an add-on.
May 9: We have IPA and Ship From China news for non-US backers. We'll be handling it all via Gamefound post-campaign. Use the $1 reward level for notifications until it launches.

Welcome!

Welcome to the first boxed Button Shy campaign! We’ve changed a lot for 2026 and we’re thrilled to get this going. Expect these campaigns quarterly, and if all goes well the format will be the same as here. 4 featured games, 3 reprints (one of them is a secret and revealed halfway through the campaign), and some add-ons of our other new boxed games. 

What’s Up With The Boxes?!

We’ve moved our production from our little office to the norms of the board game industry. These will be printed in a factory just like our recent collections you may have seen at Barnes and Noble. The quality is excellent, and as a company we put our focus on making the best games possible instead of spending all of our time hand assembling the games. It’s a big step for us, but we feel like it’s a very exciting direction. And with moving to a regular factory comes regular style boxes. Our games have never had boxes and were difficult to get into stores and specific markets, difficult to stand among other games, and difficult to really show everything off. These boxes will help solve all of those issues. 

Will The Wallets Be Inside The Boxes?

We tried to get the wallets into the boxes, but if you have any of our games you probably know how finicky the wallets can be. A little heat can cause the shape to shift, forever. A big drop could cause them to split open. Smudgy or crooked printing could just sour the whole product. But since we hand assembled every single one, we were able to have an extreme level of quality control with the wallets themselves. 

With them going into a box, sitting in a hot truck or on a boat, and then getting moved from place to place, there were way too many unknowns (not to mention a new printer doing these for the first time and all of the complications that comes with that). 

So we decided to move forward without wallets in the boxes. But they are still available. You can add them as an add-on here. We'll also occasionally do website drops of empty wallets when the demand is there. And yes if you get a wallet, it will fit in the box. 

Without the wallets coming with every single game, we wanted to add something else special to give the classic Button Shy feel. We decided on small envelopes that will hold the game, expansion, and the rules. We’re still working out the details with the printer, but here’s what we’re expecting these to look like. They won’t be as durable as a wallet, but you could toss a handful of these into a larger box or bag and take them on the go. We may or may not be looking at options to make something official. :)

The New Games

Astro ROVE is a standalone entry in the ROVE series. In this solo spatial puzzler, the player must complete missions by using their movement cards to align ROVE’s modules in the proper pattern. As ROVE travels further, efficient use of movement points and module abilities becomes paramount to achieve success.

Build up your Viking civilization through resource management, balancing expansion with defense to protect your gains. Devote your efforts to long-term innovations or focus on accumulating wealth and increasing your population. Forge your own path through the Viking Age and leave your mark on the known world!

Query rows and columns for clues to the hidden attributes. Guess quickly and accurately to earn a better score!

Create unique images to communicate your secret clue in this cooperative picture-making game. Take turns channeling your inner artist to complete all the clues and win!

Let's take a look at each game individually:

Astro ROVE

1 PLAYER 
DESIGNED BY DUSTIN DOBSON & MILAN ZIVKOVIC
ART BY FILIP POPOVIC

Take your ROVE unit to the limit on this mission to the furthest reaches of space.

The end of the galaxy doesn’t mean the end of the mission! As a ROVE (Results-Oriented Universal Explorer) you must push your modules past their normal operating parameters as you explore the furthest reaches of space.

Astro ROVE adds a few new spins to the ROVE formula. Firstly, each movement card provides a set number of movement points and directional limits on how modules may move. However, each card also includes an optional ability to help players align their modules, as well as a bonus icon that provides additional movement if it matches the current mission.

Beyond that, each module has its own unique ability allowing it to convert directly into one of the other module types. But beware: once changed, these modules can never be returned to their original purpose.

Download Astro ROVE PNP Preview

Also included in the box is the expansion: Hyperdrive Hops!

This expansion adds 6 movement/mission cards to mix up your strategies.

The Rise Of A Jarl

1 PLAYER 
DESIGNED BY JOE KLIPFEL
ART BY DAN GARTMAN

Steer the course of your Viking civilization through trade, raiding, and technology.

The Viking Age is at hand and with prosperity comes power. As an ambitious ruling jarl, chart a new future for your people through careful development and expansion to secure your eternal legacy throughout the world.

In this engine-building game, carefully marshal your resources to guide your Viking civilization to greatness. Across 4 rounds of play, you’ll use cards in hand to take a variety of actions: Trade to gain wealth, Raid for resources, Develop new technologies, and more. Balancing your current needs against your future plans is crucial to your survival. After each round, defend against encroaching civilizations who wish to sabotage your position. After the final round, determine your score to determine how the Vikings fared under your leadership.

Download The Rise of a Jarl PNP Preview

Also included in the box is the expansion: The Rivals of A Jarl!

This expansion adds 6 Rival cards to give additional challenges.

Everything Machine

2-6 PLAYERS 
DESIGNED BY CONNOR WIELGOSZ
ART BY ADI "HW" SUKONDO

Use queries and clues to repair the malfunctioning Everything Machine.

The amazing Everything Machine is broken! Check lines of code against each other -- and the machine's output -- to get this fantastic machine up and running again!

Each turn, the team of Engineers query a row or column of the grid and the Machine player provides a clue that fits all of the hidden attributes of the queried cards. As the Engineers guess, cards are revealed or removed from the grid. Final scoring is determined by the total number of turns required as well as incorrect guesses, so move quickly and accurately to earn the best score!

Everything Machine doesn't have any videos at the time of the campaign launch, but we want to share the submission video from the designer. This will give you an idea of what originally attracted us to the game. Note: We've done lots of development since the initial version. 

Also included in the box is the expansion: Everything Machine: Gadgets and Gubbins!

This expansion adds green set, 6 cards with all new categories.

Shaper

2-6 PLAYERS
DESIGNED BY MARK TUCK
ART BY FILIP POPOVIC

Communicate to your team through abstract imagery while avoiding confusion.

Looks can be deceiving, and that’s doubly true when you don’t even have the complete picture. Carefully put together these abstract images to clue your teammates in or you’ll risk total confusion!

Combine partial shapes and abstract images to portray a secret word. Failed guesses make later rounds harder!

Shaper doesn't have any videos at the time of the campaign launch, but we want to share the submission video from the designer. This will give you an idea of what originally attracted us to the game. Note: We've done lots of development since the initial version. 

Also included in the box is the expansion: Shaper: Hive Mind!

This expansion adds 6 bee cards with special abilities for players.

Freebies

We have a few freebies in this campaign! 

First if you back Astro ROVE you will receive the Lander Mode promo card, which allows you to finish a game of Astro ROVE and combine it with a game of ROVE. Lander will literally bridge the gap between the two games. There's full instructions on how to use it right on the back.

We also have a set of promo bookmarks, one for each of the new featured games. If you back any of those games you will receive its bookmark. But not only is it a bookmark, but there's a little game on the backside called Peruse! In Peruse you will choose a book (this part is very important), and then flip to a random page and see how many instances of the words you can find. Each bookmark has words that are associated with the game, so each will feel quite different. 

Rewards

The basic rewards are below. You can get each of the new games separately, or all 4 games as a bundle. Everything is discounted!

Add-Ons

All of the Add-Ons are listed below. For our wallet fans, you can add the empty wallets. We also have 2 Featured Reprints, a Secret Reprint to be revealed halfway through the campaign, and a selection of additional Button Shy Games all now available in our little boxes. Everything is discounted!

Note on the wallets: These will not be readily available. We will order for this campaign, and then order in smaller website drops here and there. 

We do not have any of our previous traditional wallet game add-ons here, but we have a whole bunch at our site. During the campaign you can use the coupon code 0426backer to save 20% (usually 15, but we might as well go all out with this new campaign) at http://www.buttonshygames.com

Now, onto the Add-Ons!

Shipping Costs

For this campaign we will be using Kickstarter's pledge manager and all backers will pay for shipping when the pledge manager is completed. Kickstarter will collect taxes due on pledges for backers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union when the pledge is completed and shipping is paid.

US SHIPPING - $6 for any number of games. 

(NEW!) CA SHIPPING - We plan to ship using Board Game Bliss, and you can order all games and add-ons. You will receive the freebies as well. We are waiting for final weights, but the expected cost for shipping is about $12-18 for one game, around $18-24 for the 4 game bundle and $1 for each add-on game. 

(NEW!) UK SHIPPING (Direct from Button Shy) - We can ship to the UK direct from Button Shy, and you can order all games and add-ons. You will receive the freebies as well. We are waiting for final weights, but the expected cost for shipping is about $22-26 for one game, around $42-46 for the 4 game bundle and $4-7 for each add-on game. We estimated the weights on the high end, and I imagine the larger packages will be cheaper. IF YOU WANT CHEAPER SHIPPING (BUT LIMITED OPTIONS), THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. SEE BELOW

(NEW!) AUSTRALIA SHIPPING (Direct from Button Shy) - We can ship to Australia direct from Button Shy, and you can order all games and add-ons. You will receive the freebies as well. We are waiting for final weights, but the expected cost for shipping is about $24-28 for one game, around $42-46 for the 4 game bundle and $4-7 for each add-on game. We estimated the weights on the high end, and I imagine the larger packages will be cheaper. IF YOU WANT CHEAPER SHIPPING (BUT LIMITED OPTIONS), THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. SEE BELOW

ALL OTHER SHIPPING - To be determined in the pledge manager, see below for full info. At it's worst, if these ship from the US, it would be $20+ for one game, and $30+ for two to four games... in most regions. Some even higher. But we're working with some partners to change that. See below for full info. 

International Backers

UPDATE: Canada - see above info, all pledges are now available. UK and AUSTRALIA - see above info, a second option is now available. 

With these new boxes, a new factory, pending partnerships, the uncertain world, growing shipping rates, and extended production timelines, we decided to handle international backers a little differently this time. 

We've created a $1 reward level that you can back. You will receive the ROVE Lander mode print and play as a reward. You will also receive access to the pledge manager, where we hope to be able to offer these games internationally.

Some quick notes about this:

• We will only offer a limited selection of games - it looks like it may be limited to two options: any one of the four new games, or all four of them. 
• We will not be able to offer any of the freebies (the Lander Mode card or the bookmarks).
• We will not be able to offer any of the add-ons (this includes the empty wallets and additional games).
• There's a chance that international shipping just becomes more impossible and we can't offer anything. 
• If you can order through the pledge manager we will credit you $1 towards your purchase. If you end up ordering elsewhere (IPA game shop for example, see below) or not ordering at all due to high shipping costs and complications, we cannot provide that credit.

The reasons for all of this are that we are printing the games in China and the extra stuff in the US, and looking to ship international rewards directly from China. The cost to ship things there, then combine them, and the complexities, all will force us to limit the options available. It stinks, but it's the best we can offer internationally right now.  

And some quick notes on regions:

EU - A handful of our packages are currently being returned from the EU with no explanation other than "denied at border" and we are forced to refund some previous backers for high shipping costs that we already spent. With this in mind, we are working with IPA Game Shop to carry as many of these games as possible on their site, and hoping they can start up pre-orders. It may end up being best to order from them when available, but we will keep everyone posted.

And there's always a chance we get these things sorted out during the campaign. If that happens we will adjust the campaign and let everyone at the International Reward level know what to do. Sorry for the uncertainty, it's just becoming harder and harder to get our games into the hands of players worldwide, so we're opening up to others that specialize in this. It just takes longer than we hoped to set everything up. 

Age Requirements

All Button Shy hand-assembled games and accessories will be in packages labeled for ages 14+. This includes our hand-assembled wallet games, promo cards, bookmarks, empty wallets, etc. The boxed games may end up with a lower age requirement, but for now let's assume they are 14+ as well. 

Board Game Of The Month Club

Want to receive all of these in your mailbox monthly plus some extra goodies? Instead of backing here, you can join our Patreon and you'll receive all of the new games, the extras, and a small additional monthly package with a brochure filled with playable games and interviews. Club members also receive a variety of discounts. US only, sorry!

Join us at http://patreon.com/buttonshy