IDW Games has announced the July, 2014 release of the hit Japanese game Machi Koro (MSRP $29.99), the first of many small box games to be released in partnership with Pandasaurus Games.  This will be the first North American printing for the fast-paced, city-building card and dice game, which is sweeping the world.  In Machi Koro players compete to be the first to turn their simple village into a sprawling metropolis.   Designed by Masao Suganuma for 2-4 players, Machi Koro takes just 30 minutes to play.
 
The secret to the addictive nature of the game is the way in which it combines elements of strategy reminiscent of much more elaborate games with its ultra-fast gameplay.  Players in this compelling and lighthearted card and dice game have to collect income from developments, erect public works, and raid competitor’s coffers lest their own reserves are targeted.  Since games are typically over in just half-an-hour, rematches are common
 
IDW and Pandasaurus Games are debuting the English edition of Machi Koro at GAMA this week, and the first 100 attendees to participate in a demo at the IDW Games booth will receive a promo copy of the game.
 
Yesterday IDW Games announced the first big box X-Files strategy game (see "IDW to Publish 'The X-Files Board Game'").  The new agreement with Pandasaurus should allow IDW Games to expand its roster, which already includes board games based on IDW comic series 30 Days of Night and Kill Shakespeare as well as the retro political board game Tammany Hall.