Written by Jim Ziegler

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by heading down to your local independent game store? Build a new Braviary or Jeskai deck to show your red, white, and blue pride, or grab an indy game off of the shelf. You might find a new favorite!

What makes a board game indy, though? In video games we think of indy studios as being small groups, often passion projects of a dozen or so developers. Many of these releases go unnoticed, but some, like Hades, Cult of the Lamb, or Untitled Goose Game are breakout hits for their unique gameplay that isn’t afraid to break away from tradition.

Large game companies, like Ubisoft, Activision, and EA Games, are beholden to their shareholders. Since most of their investors are in it for profit, rather than for the love of the games, these companies tend to play it safe, releasing tried-and-true products with a history of success instead of trying new mechanics and playstyles. That’s why you’ll see a new NBA2K, Madden, and Call of Duty game every year, even though the core gameplay (and often even graphics) are unchanged from the previous installment.

 

This concept applies to other businesses, too: You’ve noticed that Disney is making more sequels and live-action remakes these days, because those are proven intellectual properties (IPs) that are almost certain to make money, while introducing new ones carry a risk of failure, such as 2015’s Tomorrowland.

 

Independent studios don’t have access to these big IPs, so every game they make is a financial risk. So products that stand out are more likely to be successful, which means these studios are incentivized to be creative. This leads to fantastic new games that big companies like Hasbro and Mattel would never risk publishing, such as Betrayal at The House on the Hill, Settlers of Catan, and The Red Dragon Inn.

 

All of these games and many more are available at Gam3Escape, so why not spend the Fourth of July celebrating Independence Day by discovering a new favorite?

 

YOUTH SUMMER GAMING CAMP

Monday through Thursday, 3:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Youth Summer Gaming Camp is back and it is bigger, bolder, and badder than before! We have added local businesses to our line up: We’ve added Yoga, Art, Dancing, Music, Cooking, and other activities to our roster of events. Fan favorites such as Pokémon, Pokémon BINGO, UNO, Chess, Catan, and Gaslands will be back.  We are adding miniature golf to our weekly line up.

 

YOUTH SUMMER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CAMP

Fridays, 3:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Youth Summer Dungeons & Dragons Camp is back! The camp will include the basics such as table etiquette, learning how to play, creating characters and backstories, and playing in a full campaign over the course of the six weeks.

 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Assassin’s Creed Release Event

Friday, 6:00 PM

Celebrate the release of the Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond set Gam3Escape. Bring your favorite Commander deck and compete for the newest product line, Beyond Boosters. See in store for additional details.

 

Standard Showdown

Saturday, 3:00 PM

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats. It's spurs and latigo. It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain and they call the thing Standard Showdown! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Entry fee: $7

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $6

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

The $6 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store.

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $5

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Ursula’s Return Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

 

Lorcana Learn To Play 

Saturday, 6:30 PM

Looking to learn Lorcana? Grab a starter deck and join the fun with the first Lorcana Learn To Play event!

 

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

 

Cardfight! Vanguard

overDress Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

 

Star Wars Unlimited

Shadows of the Galaxy Prerelease

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a new Star Wars TCG was released. If you missed that event, there’s still time to join the fun with Star Wars Unlimited: Shadows of the Galaxy, the first major expansion to Star Wars United. Check out the beginner's guide and get ready to play! Entry fee: $35

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