Mixed responses as Rothfuss reveals the latest print of Tak.
| On Monday, December 14th Patrick Rothfuss revealed on his Twitch livestream the newest print of Tak: A Beautiful Game.
This second print - by Greater than Games since they acquired the original producer, Cheapass Games - features new art, three newly designed boards of varying sizes, the original pieces, and the same rules but with an “alternate scoring” method added in.
For $60 (USD) you can pre-order this latest version on the WorldBuilders Market - an unexpected 9% increase over the original first print.
News of this latest edition spread quickly in the Tak community. But not everyone was thrilled with the development. Many complaints focused on the price point. "The new edition is $60. Isn't that even more expensive than the game currently is? It seems like they want the game to fail." Some players had hoped for a more affordable option for potential new players who are not diehard Kingkiller Chronicle fans. "What Tak really needs is a no-frills $15-$20 edition on the shelf in every Target and Walmart . . ."
AbacusWizard suggested on Reddit.
Long-time Tak player Bill Leighton (Rabbitboy84) took a positive approach, "the changes that were made are positive. No Selas board, better packaging, and (maybe most importantly to future community growth) a company is still making Tak and marketing it." Others took a similar view, acknowledging the changes they liked but still frustrated with the price. "It's irritating that it will be even more expensive than the original, but at least there will be a 6x6 edition of the game in print."
Despite Rothfuss praising the quality and design of the new boards during his livestream reveal, many players in the community fired their strongest criticisms in that direction. "Those boards look like cardboard. . . .What a waste. What a joke. For $60?"
Overall, the Tak community's response so far has been mixed, but largely negative. The "new foam insert" feature that holds the pieces was widely praised, along with the ability to play on a 6x6 board, but these aspects have clearly been overshadowed by the price and perceived quality of the new boards.
Although many players seem already convinced this newest "edition" is not worth the price, we won't be certain until unboxing one for ourselves.
Stay tuned for upcoming Tak Times commentary where our contributors discuss their impressions of the newest print.
Above: Newest print of Tak by Greater than Games, expected release in 2021.
Above: Original print of Tak by Cheapass Games, released in 2017.
