Restoration Games Funds Lord of the Rings Board Game
The King's Gambit, a tabletop adaptation of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, raised $2,576,794 on Kickstarter from 8,325 backers.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Board Games
Restoration Games crowdfunded The Lord of the Rings: The King's Gambit on Kickstarter, raising $2,576,794 from 8,325 backers. The game adapts the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and is scheduled to ship to backers in October 2027.
Why it matters
The campaign's strong funding shows sustained demand for licensed, large-scale fantasy board games. Its long shipping timeline also illustrates how crowdfunded tabletop projects often require years between pledge and delivery.
The Kickstarter campaign raised $2,576,794 from 8,325 backers, with the cheapest pledge tier priced at $199. The source does not specify a retail price or a retail release date.
The players
Restoration Games
Restoration Games is a board game publisher known for reimagining classic and licensed properties, previously producing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Godzilla board games.
The details
The King's Gambit places players in control of the forces of Rohan and Gondor fighting across the Pelennor Fields and Minas Tirith. The game includes miniatures, 3D models of Minas Tirith and Mount Doom, terrain, cards, and dice with unique abilities used to resolve battles.
Timeline
October 2027: shipment of The King's Gambit to backers is scheduled.
Late pledges remain open on the official Kickstarter page.
Culture Shift
The King's Gambit extends Restoration Games' track record of turning licensed franchises such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Godzilla into tabletop games. The project reflects a continuing trend of established fantasy properties being adapted into crowdfunded, high-production board games.
Backers who pledged will receive the game in October 2027, and late pledges remain available through the official Kickstarter page. Fans who missed the campaign will need to wait for a retail release, which the source does not date.
The takeaway
Licensed fantasy properties continue to attract large crowdfunding totals, but backers should expect long gaps between funding and delivery. Checking shipping timelines before pledging helps set realistic expectations.
Further reading
Explore more board game news and reviews to see how licensed titles like this one are shaping the hobby.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
