Syncanite Games has launched a new Gamefound campaign for Expansion I, the latest addition to the Syncanite Foundation board game. While the campaign introduces fresh mechanics and a new soundtrack, the studio’s broader strategy involves a significant pivot toward the film industry, with plans to present a series pilot at the Cannes Film Festival later this month.
The “crystal punk” universe, which pits oligarchs against one another for control of rare resources, is being positioned as a multi-media ecosystem. Alongside the current board game expansion, the studio has confirmed that the world of Syncanite will be further developed through a trilogy of novels, a strategy game, and a tabletop roleplaying game.
Timon Thöne, CEO of Syncanite Games, is the lead designer on the project. Thöne, whose background includes co-founding the German Institute for Virtual Realities, has guided the property through a decade of development, transitioning from early augmented-reality concepts to its current physical tabletop format. His team will be stationed at booth 2.13 in the Palais -1 during the Cannes Film Festival, hosting a dedicated press day at the Carlton Hotel on 16 May 2026.
A notable shift in the studio’s messaging is evident in the creation of its visual assets. Despite the company’s history as an early adopter of technical disruption, the current campaign explicitly markets the new project as featuring only human-made art. This move appears to be a deliberate effort to align with the tabletop community’s preference for traditional craftsmanship as the franchise expands into more narrative-heavy formats like the upcoming roleplaying game. Gen AI is not popular in tabletop games.
The campaign for Expansion I also includes a first novel and an “Epic Music” soundtrack to deepen the immersion for both returning players and newcomers. Thöne suggests that this phased approach allows the narrative to evolve beyond the “antagonist” focus of the original board game, finally introducing the “original hero story” to the setting.
Timon Thöne, CEO at Syncanite Games, said in a statement:
The board game was always based on the novels but told the story of the antagonists. With this new campaign, we add the original hero story, making Syncanite a whole experience. This campaign reflects our philosophy that players want worlds to immerse themselves in, but also want to share their experiences with others.”
The Syncanite Foundation expansion is live on Gamefound as of 5 May 2026. While the studio focuses on its international film pitch in France, it remains a prominent fixture in the Dortmund tech scene, often appearing at local events like the Digital Week Dortmund.
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