Our First NOVA Open: Done and Done!

🍻 Big shout-out to Mr. Tom Fricton for facilitating our participation and getting us a table in the demo section -- we’re already looking forward to working with Mr. Charles Clunk to get on the docket for 2026!

Arrived at NOVA Open on Friday bright and early! Keen eyed readers may recognize our ever present cardboard tubes housing several ONC's; we got to bring out a new map centering the Strait of Hormuz during NOVA Open 2025!

🎮Player Feedback

We loved hearing what players had to say:

“Great Game. Very intuitive and easy to pick up. I really enjoy how the game teaches me about real world tactics.” — Ethan

“This game rips. Asymmetrical, brutal; make good choices or suffer.” — Grant

“Great Game! Keeps it simple enough for anybody to pick up, but will keep even veteran wargamers engaged for hours.”  — Jonathan

“This game has a lovely mix of known and unknown information for each player. Nice design, nice components! Well done!” — Austin

🗺️Our Experience

Since we’re still such a small indie title, we were tucked away in the far back-left corner of the board game section. Even so, some folks had already heard of us and sought us out to learn and play!

With a couple groups, we were even able to bring out the Advanced Capabilities: Attack Submarines, TBM Submarines devastating waterways, and skies filled with jamming turned up to 11!

We managed to break away from the action here and there -- the convention was huge, and it was clear the wargaming tournaments were the centerpiece. Despite being about “war stuff,” Ric and I have always thought of IADS: The Game as a fun, breezy board game with strategic elements rather than a simulation. But the reception from the wargaming community really has us rethinking how it fits in their space.

Walking the convention floor reminded us that this community is full of passionate, strategic thinkers who love gameplay and mechanics. There’s definitely a niche for our shorter, less-involved game! In fact, Mr. Mike Cooley from Your Hobby Place – Alexandria once described IADS: The Game as perfect to play between tournament rounds at big events like NOVA Open.

🔎Looking Ahead

We’re excited to share that we’re working with DeLano Games to mass produce the Advanced Capabilities Expansion Set! Over the next three months we’ll be moving through design leveling, proofs, and printing. With lessons learned from the Base Game run, this round should be smoother. Who knows -- maybe one day we’ll have a player base big enough to host our own tournament!

Next up: we’ll be participating in an NGA Professional Development Wargaming session. We may not be able to post much out of that event, but we’re hoping to come away with some new war stories and fresh quotes from players.

👀 Keep your eyes open for my accompanying Instagram reel showcasing some fun gameplay footage from NOVA Open 2025 at the end of this week!

-- Madonna 💁🏻‍♀️