Rio Grande Games has announced Cardcassonne, a new card game version of the company’s hit franchise, along with other new releases for December and 2010.  December releases include: 

 

Cardcassonne: Designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede & Karl-Heinz Schmiel

A card game version of the modern classic Carcassonne.  Players use followers to claim rows of cards representing the roads, cities, abbeys, and farmlands familiar to fans of the board game.  MSRP is $29.95.

 

Vasco da Gama: Designed by Paolo Mori

This title was a surprise hit at the Essen Fair in Germany two months ago, grabbing the top ranking on the Fairplay Top 30.  Players compete to gain wealth and prestige by equipping Vasco da Gama’s famous voyages in search of a route to India.  $59.95 MSRP.

 

Krysis: Designed by Zoltán ágó and Zoltán Aczél

A card game in which players control companies seeking to recover the artifacts of a collapsed fantasy civilization.  $29.95 MSRP.

 

Alea Iacta Est: Designed by Jeffrey D. Allers & Bernd Eisenstein

A dice game that pits would-be Caesars against one-another.  Players use dice roll combinations to conquer provinces, gather resources, and conduct diplomacy.  $34.95 MSRP.

 

Treasure Chest: Various designers

A collection of 13 expansion sets for some of Rio Grande’s and Alea’s most popular games, including:  Puerto Rico, San Juan, Louis XIV, Notre Dame, In the Year of the Dragon, Witch’s Brew, and The Princes of Florence.  $29.95 MSRP.

 

Priests of Ra: Designed by Reiner Knizia

Knizia revisits one of his most popular games, creating a new version with a new title.  Players bid for control of Egyptians of various professions while erecting a pyramid to glorify their sun god Ra.  $34.95 MSRP.

 

Shipyard: Designed by Vladimir Suchy

Players take on the role of 19th Century shipbuilders competing for government and corporate contracts by designing their own ocean-going vessels and testing them in shakedown cruises of the canals.  $59.95 MSRP.

 

Rio Grande has also announced its intended releases for early 2010, including Macao, Egizia, Albion, and Race for the Galaxy: Brink of War. Additional projects expected later in the year include Heavens of Olympus, El Caballero, Lemons & Lemonade, and two new expansions for the widely popular and award-winning Dominion.