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Date: 11/08/2025

Rawstone's Gen Con 2025: Board Game Manufacturing & Eco Solutions

Gen Con 2025 has officially wrapped up, and once again it proved to be the beating heart of the tabletop industry. With record-breaking attendance and an electric atmosphere, this year’s event was not only a celebration of games but a hub for ideas, networking, and innovation.

According to Axios, the convention reached new milestones in both participation and economic impact, reinforcing its position as the largest and most influential tabletop event in North America.

This year’s Gen Con 2025 was not just a convention – it was a turning point. For Rawstone, it was a moment to strengthen relationships, build new ones, and affirm our role as a trusted manufacturing and licensing partner for board game publishers looking toward the Chinese market and beyond.

Two major themes dominated conversations with publishers and creators alike: sustainability and materials in board game manufacturing and the impact of international tariffs on production models, particularly for games made in China.

Industry Insights: Crowdfunding and Manufacturing

One of the most valuable takeaways for us came from panels like Launching Your Board Game, hosted by BackerKit, which focused on the evolving role of crowdfunding in bringing new titles to market.

For Rawstone, these discussions resonate strongly: from helping publishers navigate manufacturing requirements to supporting localization and licensing in Asia, we see first-hand how early planning in production can make or break a campaign.

While not every conversation at Gen Con directly addressed eco-conscious design, the undercurrent of sustainability is clearly here to stay. From packaging innovations to material alternatives, more publishers are actively considering the environmental footprint of their games. This mirrors our mission at Rawstone: offering eco-friendly manufacturing options without compromising quality.

Rawstone’s Gen Con Takeaways

Face-to-face discussions: Over 50 meetings with publishers, designers, and potential partners
Material interest: Strong demand for sugarcane trays, FSC wood, and bioplastics: especially with high-quality printing
Concrete takeaways:
- Sustainable components that look premium and perform well
- Eco-focused production is now a differentiator, not just a goal
- Global logistics need trusted partners – especially behind the Great Wall

We returned from Gen Con with full notebooks and high spirits. The board game industry is evolving, and Rawstone is more committed than ever to being a partner in sustainable manufacturing, cross-market access, and thoughtful design.

Why Gen Con Matters for Rawstone

Our participation wasn’t just about showing what we do: it was about listening, learning, and connecting. Whether it was sharing manufacturing insights, exploring new licensing opportunities, or discussing the future of sustainable components, Gen Con 2025 reinforced why face-to-face industry events are irreplaceable.

We’re leaving inspired, with new partnerships in the works and a renewed drive to support publishers in creating games that are not only beautiful and fun but also responsibly made.