Friendly Local Game Stores & Small Game Publishers in the USA are in need of continued support during the upcoming challenges related to the current tariffs. The tariffs have already and will continue to send ripples through the tabletop game industry & hobby.

A vast majority of tabletop products and accessories are manufactured in China. Due to this, many publishing companies, distributors, and others in the industry are facing very difficult desicions around production, pricing, and planning for their business's future. These decisions will impact a wide variety of factors within the industry; everything from distribution, product availabilty, release dates, reprints/restocks, and cost. These shifts and changes will be seen and felt in Friendly Local Game Stores. Unfortunately, this will likely cause some businesses to close and some game designers to leave the industry altogether due to financial strain. We may also see some popular games go out of print and exciting projects in development be shelved or cancelled. This message is not to instill fear, scaricity mindset, or cause division in our wonderful community but to inform our patrons, build awareness, and encourage engagement. There are many ways to support the tabletop industry as we all weather this uncertain time in our hobby and economy.

Ways to get involved or support tabletop gaming:
- Shop at local game stores in-person or online! Money spent at small buisness will go further and be more impactful on your direct community than money spent in big box stores or large online retailers.
- Attend events at your local game store, some events are free or low-cost! Bring a friend along or spread the word about your favorite stores & events.
- Introduce friends or family to the world of tabletop gaming! Growth in the hobby helps build up the community as a whole.
- Attend local game conventions! There are TONS of small conventions across the country where you can meet game designers, playtest prototypes, directly support small businesses, make new friends, and show in-person support for this hobby. There are also usually ways to volunteer at conventions!
- Follow game stores, publishing companies, game designers, and tabletop content creators on social media & interact with their posts! Your interaction will help their pages, products, and content reach new audiences.
- Leave reviews for local game stores on Google or social media sites! The more ratings and the higher the ratings shops have, the more they are recommended to folks in the area.
- If you feel inclined, you may even contact your local representatives to share how these taiffs will affect the tabletop industry and many others.

Blue Highway Games opened in 2007 and will reach our 18 year anniversary this Summer. BHG has weathered many storms and recessions prior to this. We are committed to this community, this hobby, and our local neighnorhood. There may be changes to product pricing, events, or other aspects of our shop. Please know all changes are made with deep consideration of the impact on our patrons and business. We are determined to face whatever comes our way, continue to support this community, and make an impact in the local tabletop gaming industry. We hope to have your continued support through this time.

Thank you and Happy Gaming,
- Blue Highway Games Owners, Josh and Kyndra

To learn more about the impact of Tariffs on the Tabletop Industry here are some links!

The Math of Tariffs by Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games
How Can We Fix This Together? by Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games
Toy Association Member Survey Reveals Alarming Impact of 145% Tariffs by The Toy Association
Toy tariffs threaten holiday shelves by Komo 4 News
Trump tariffs terrify board game designers by Nate Anderson with Ars Technica
How Tariffs Will Impact Board Game Publishers and Designers by Cardboard Edison
Greater Than Games Team Reduced in Response to Tariff Crisis by Greater Than Games/Flat River Group

*Tabletop Games are classified as TOYS under US law, so anything that affects the Toy Industry, effects Board Games and Trading Cards.
*Toys imported to the USA from China are currently facing 145% Tariff (as of April 9th 2025).