Indie tabletop publisher Terror Toad, known for the tabletop game G.R.I.M. Inc, has announced a company restructuring following the resolution of a year-long legal dispute and the departure of one of its co-founders.
In a candid blog post titled Warts and All, the publisher revealed that their disagreement with the courier DPD had escalated to the point of court-recommended mediation. This resolution comes after a full year of what the company called a “back-and-forth rigmarole”. The timing was particularly challenging, with the mediation scheduled just days before the UK Games Expo, the largest event on the indie publisher’s calendar. Such logistical battles are an unfortunate reality for many small creators in the tabletop space, often impacting everything from Kickstarter fulfilment to daily operations, a topic Geek Native has followed closely.
Adding to the recent upheaval, co-founder Mark has quit the business. In the post, the remaining team wished him the best, noting he needed “to do what’s right for him”. This departure coincides with a formal restructuring of the company, with Terror Toad moving on from its previous Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) status. The publisher is framing this period of change as “Toad 2.0,” hinting at a significant evolution for the company.
Despite the internal and external pressures and without a new product to launch, the Terror Toad team attended this year’s UK Games Expo in Birmingham. The publisher expressed relief and gratitude for the experience, stating it was “totally worth it.” Their flagship game, G.R.I.M. Inc – a card game where players take on the roles of Grim Reapers working for a celestial corporation—was reportedly well-received. In their post, the company noted, “this really felt like the year of GRIM INC for us. Who would’ve guessed?”
The publisher’s update also highlighted the supportive nature of the UK’s indie developer community. They gave shout-outs to fellow exhibitors who made the event a success, including Curious Cats (Brexit: The Game), The Who Zone, OneBold Studio (Fate of Witches), Team Custard Kraken, Lucky Fox Studio, Tettix Games, Gamze Derinoz, and Wayward Stitchcraft.
With the legal dispute concluded and a new company structure taking shape, the remaining team members, Chris and Katie, are planning the next phase. Described as a “brand refresh” or “micro business evolution,” the publisher suggests changes are “long overdue.” Fans of G.R.I.M. Inc and the indie scene will be watching to see what this new era of Terror Toad brings.
