💔 Asyncron Games on liquidation! The reasons for this closure and the lessons for the board game industry. 📉🔍
The failure of Asyncron
Do you like board games? Imagine a company that has captured the imagination of gamers with powerful, thrilling, exciting titles like Stronghold, Mare Nostrum and the Frostpunk VF. Yes, but. Behind this success story is a story of financial challenges and resilience. And a few weeks ago, we learned the terrible news that the publisher was closing its doors.
Asyncron: A passion
Asyncron, was created fifteen years ago. Since then, this company has been able to specialize in a very specific sector: the manufacturing of board games, with a marked penchant for (large) strategy games and wargames. With a small workforce, oscillating between one and two employees, it has nevertheless managed to make a name for itself thanks to notable titles such as Fief, Mare Nostrum And Quartermaster General.
The rise and challenges of crowdfunding. Asyncron was among the first to launch into crowdfunding in France, an approach which has made it possible to realize numerous projects. Crowdfunding has the magic of turning dreams into reality, but it also comes with its share of challenges. If Quartermaster General was a great success, other projects had more tumultuous journeys. Delivery delays and the sometimes uneven quality of the equipment have caused discontent among backers.
The road has not been without pitfalls. The company has had to face several receiverships and, more recently, a judicial liquidation which opened on April 2. And then, bam, this announcement in mid-May of the cessation of its activities. This situation follows several years of financial difficulties, despite attempts at recovery and continuation plans.
The judicial liquidation of Asyncron
As can be seen on the companies official page, Asyncron is in failure status. To understand what is happening to Asyncron, it is crucial to understand the concept of corporate failure. According to INSEE, a company is considered in default when it can no longer meet its due liabilities with its available assets. In other words, when the company’s cash flow is no longer sufficient to pay its debts. It is a critical situation which often leads to drastic decisions such as judicial liquidation.
The judicial liquidation of Asyncron, announced on April 2, was a difficult but necessary decision. The judicial representative, already in charge of previous recovery plans, has once again taken the reins to manage this situation. Liquidation means ending the business in its current form and selling its assets to pay creditors.
For Asyncron, this liquidation is the continuation of a long series of attempts to stay afloat. The company tried various strategies, unfortunately to no avail.
The challenges of crowdfunding
Crowdfunding has been both a blessing and a curse for Asyncron. While this made it possible to launch numerous projects, it also exposed the company to significant financial risks. Unforeseen costs, such as those related to logistics and taxes, have often undermined the publisher’s room for maneuver.
Communication is a delicate art, especially in times of crisis. Asyncron has often been criticized for its handling of communication, particularly during delivery delays and quality issues. Transparency and regularity of updates are essential to maintaining backer trust, but Asyncron has sometimes struggled to meet expectations.
A recent initiative that has raised questions is the creation of a GoFundMe to finance the shipping costs of Falling Sky: The Revolt of the Gauls against Caesar. This move, although necessary for the publisher, was seen by some as an admission of weakness and raised questions about cost management and financial foresight.
Asyncron: A new impetus or the end of an era?
The judicial liquidation marks a crucial turning point. Could we see Asyncron reborn in another form? Another name? Another company? The future is uncertain, but what is certain is that the passion for board games and wargames continues to beat in the hearts of its creators. And his fans like us.
The case of Asyncron invites us to reflect on the economic model of crowdfunding. While this method has made it possible to carry out ambitious projects, it also exposes project leaders to significant financial risks. The question of foresight and management of unforeseen events remains central. How can we ensure financial stability while remaining faithful to the spirit of crowdfunding?
Maybe it’s time to think about reforms to protect both creators and backers. Platforms like Kickstarter and Ulule could put in place support mechanisms in the event of unforeseen events, or guarantees for backers. After all, trust is the keystone of this model.
Crowdfunding has allowed Asyncron to finance ambitious projects, but it has also created high expectations among backers. Delays and quality issues have undermined player confidence, making it difficult to retain customers. Transparent and regular communication is essential to maintaining backer trust. Asyncron has sometimes lacked clarity in its updates, fueling player frustration.
Financial management: A crucial question
Despite successive recovery plans, Asyncron has failed to restore its financial health. Financial management for a board game publisher is a complex challenge, and Asyncron illustrates the importance of good budget planning.
Asyncron’s vision for collective game creation has sparked debate. The line between publishing and creation is sometimes blurred. Art and industry, a debate, an endless dilemma.
An ambivalent legacy
The fall of Asyncron Games leaves an ambivalent legacy in the board gaming world. On the one hand, the publisher helped to popularize historical games and wargames, by offering ambitious titles like Fief And Frostpunk. Their approach to crowdfunding has made it possible to bring projects to fruition that otherwise would have struggled to see the light of day. On the other hand, delays, controversies and liquidation have tarnished the image of the publisher and disappointed many backers.
And now, what does the future hold for Asyncron’s games? The judicial liquidation raises the question of the future of its flagship games. We can quite imagine that certain other French-speaking publishers come out of the woodwork to recover certain titles, to continue to sell them, to keep them alive.
In conclusion: A melancholy (but instructive) ending)
The closure of Asyncron Games is not just another anecdote in the board game industry; it represents a crucial turning point that pushes us to reflect on several fundamental aspects of crowdfunding and business management in this sector. The story of Asyncron is a lesson rich in lessons for everyone in this industry, from authors, publishers, distributors, to gamers.
Yes, the ending of Asyncron Games is melancholy, but it reminds us of the unforgiving reality of the board game industry. Despite an undeniable love for the game and a unique vision, financial management and expectations can quickly turn a passion into… a nightmare. However, the story of Asyncron is also that of a publisher who dared to take risks and who left an indelible mark on the world of board games.
Crowdfunding has revolutionized the world of board games by allowing many ambitious projects to see the light of day. However, as the fall of Asyncron illustrates, this method carries significant risks. Over-reliance on backers to fund each stage of a project can expose a company to unpredictable fluctuations. Delays in production, unforeseen increases in logistics costs and taxes can quickly deplete available funds, jeopardizing the viability of the business.
Yet crowdfunding remains an essential platform for independent creators. The proposed reforms, such as the establishment of contingency support mechanisms or guarantees for backers, could strengthen the stability of this economic model and protect the interests of all stakeholders.
Another crucial lesson learned from Asyncron’s experience is the importance of communication. In times of crisis, transparency and regularity of updates are vital to maintaining backer trust. Players’ frustrations regarding delays and quality issues could have been alleviated with more proactive and honest communication from the publisher. Board game publishers must learn to navigate these stormy waters by keeping their backers informed and engaged, even when the news is not good.
Financial management proves to be a major challenge for small publishers like Asyncron. Rigorous budgetary planning and financial foresight are essential to avoid the pitfalls that led to the company’s liquidation. Publishers must strike a balance between investing in quality materials and controlling costs to ensure customer satisfaction without compromising the financial viability of the business.
Nevertheless, between (very many) takeovers, and publishers who are closing, like Asyncron, like Holy Grail, like Inside the Box, we can really say the board game industry is turned upside down (that’s an understatement).
Ultimately, the fall of Asyncron Games is a poignant illustration of the challenges facing board game publishers. It highlights the importance of solid financial management, effective communication and rigorous foresight. This story also reminds us of the passion and resilience needed to navigate this industry.
So, the next time you host a game of “Fief” or help a slave find freedom in “Freedom,” remember the tumultuous journey of Asyncron Games and the legacy they left behind. After all, in the great game of life, every move counts, and sometimes the best lessons come from the hardest parts.
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