LIGHT SPEED: ARENA – A FAST-PACED, REAL-TIME TABLETOP SHOOTER

“Oh no, another smartphone at the table…” Don’t panic – Light Speed: Arena gets it right! Developed by Tablescope, this real-time space combat game combines classic board game mechanics with cutting-edge computer vision, making for a fast, frantic, and surprisingly seamless experience. It reimplements the 2003 lightning-fast card game “Light Speed”, designed by Tom Jolly (Wiz-War, The Manhattan Project) and James Ernest (Lords of Vegas, Tak). The game will be in US stores this Summer, distributed by Ares Games.

Light Speed: Arena throws players into a universe where spaceship skirmish is the ultimate sport. Each player commands a fleet, rapidly positioning and orienting each ship wherever they like on the table surface in just 10 seconds per round.

To start, the players place the base tile in front of them, shuffle their fleet, and place any two sponsored asteroids in the middle of the table. Then, they start the timer in the app and the action begins. Every round, they place one spaceship anywhere on the battlefield while everybody else is doing the same, aiming at enemies and asteroids, while appealing to the sponsors and avoiding friendly fire. After eight rounds, they take a single picture with the companion app and place the smartphone in the center of the table for everybody to see.

Light Speed: Arena’s companion app is the enabler for the action. Once ships are placed, a quick snap of the battlefield allows the app to calculate laser shots, activate ship abilities, and resolve the round with slick animations. No tedious measuring, no debates about line of sight – just pure tactical fun.

Variety That Keeps Commanders Hooked

The base game supports four fleets (Agronauts, Amboom, Retroblast, and Solspear) and 1 to 4 players. The expansions Glyphon and BlackHole add new factions (Cosmic Birds and Space Pirates, respectively) and one extra player each, taking the player count up to six. A full match takes just five minutes, meaning you can play a small tournament while waiting for your pizza to arrive!

Each of the four different fleets (six with expansions) has its own firing patterns and special powers, and no two games feel the same. Flip the mix-and-match sponsored asteroids to shake up the objectives and tactics and deliver a fresh challenge every time Light Speed: Arena hits the table. Its quick setup and fast-paced play make it easy to squeeze in "just one more match" – which usually turns into three or four.

Team up is also very easy: players may just join two base tiles together, and the app will automatically recognize that they’re playing in team mode!

The solo mode is another standout feature where the digital-hybrid approach truly shines. The player begins by selecting a scenario and setting up the enemy fleet according to specific constraints and thematic motivations – perhaps they're desperate to mine as many minerals as possible from a distance, or maybe their sole mission is to obliterate your base, with every ship's laser locked onto it. A special timer adds pressure during this setup phase. Once the enemy fleet is in place, just dive into a standard game of Light Speed: Arena, racing against the clock to complete the mission. At the end, the final photo doesn't just assess the success in achieving the objective - it also evaluates how well the player arranged the enemy fleet. A poorly positioned opponent? That’ll cost in malus points!

For players worried about a technological breakdown, or simply willing to embrace a more hands-on approach, the Analog Downgrade expansion will let them enjoy the full game experience without the app. Crack it open to release hundreds of tokens, rubber bands, a measuring cord, and an unconventional cardboard measuring device – allowing for an entirely app-free gameplay! It can also be used side by side with the app to keep track of the action with the counters. It’s a great way to teach the game!

The Tablescope team has worked closely with an extensive pool of playtesters to ensure that technology serves the game, and not the other way around. The result is a game that feels natural, intuitive, and engaging - even for those skeptical about mixing apps with board games. The response has been enthusiastic from both heavy gamers looking for a quick skill-based challenge before their next “War of the Ring” session, and casual players who want to experience the thrill of commanding a space fleet and seeing the battle unfold.

Light Speed: Arena is a game that blends physical play with digital precision in a way that enhances the experience around the table, making it more compact, accessible, and appealing to new generations. Dive into the arena, and let the battle unfold!

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Leonardo Alese and Emanuele Santellani - a mathematician and an engineer who met at a game night - share a passion for board games and a soft spot for tech. That passion led them to create Light Speed: Arena, a reimagining of Light Speed. Turns out, mixing spaceships, lasers, and smart technology is a pretty good recipe for fun.