Discover Why Z-Man Games Is a Must-Have for Board Game Fans!
By Tom Seest
Is Z-Man Games a Good Choice for Board Game Fans?
At HowDoYouGame, we help people learn everything about games by collating information and news about games.
Z-Man Games is an American board game publisher best known for their Pandemic series of games, but also publish classics such as Carcassonne and Terra Mystica as well as many expansions for these classics.
Sophie Gravel has long been considered one of the leading figures in the board gaming industry, having founded Filosofia Distribution and Publishing before selling it to F2Z Entertainment and creating Plan B Games (later purchased).
Is Z-Man Games a Good Choice for Board Game Fans?
Table Of Contents
How Did Zev Shlasinger Found Z-Man Games?
Z-Man Games is an American board game publisher known for creating critically acclaimed board games. Their flagship series of co-operative board games, Pandemic, has seen several expansions over time and remains at the top of BGG top 100 rankings for over two years – its popularity being demonstrated by multiple expansions being released at once! Other popular titles from Z-Man include Carcassonne and Terra Mystica as well as innovative titles like Tales of Arabian Nights and Merchants & Marauders.
Zev Shlasinger established his company in 1999 and named after himself; initially publishing collectible card games before expanding into board gaming as well. Since being acquired by various companies – Asmodee among them – its headquarters have since relocated to Mahopac, New York; publishing games of different genres which are renowned for quality.
Zev Shlasinger is a scriptwriter and game designer. His credits span movies, television shows and video games; board games as well as Shadowfist CCG (original version). Furthermore, he worked on Dragonlance. Additionally he holds an MA degree in Film & Television Studies from UCLA.
Shlasinger was also one of the founding partners of Wizards of the Coast design firm, where he designed products such as World of Warcraft. Aside from designing games himself, he lectured at universities worldwide on gaming-related subjects. Shlasinger received numerous accolades for his work – among them winning 2009 Golden Geek Award!
Z-Man Games published Matt Leacock’s Pandemic in 2008 as a co-operative game where players work together to stop diseases from spreading across the world. Since then, it has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and Z-Man Games has developed additional Pandemic System games which don’t involve diseases and their cures.
Challengers is a fast-paced dueling game designed for one to eight players that was developed in partnership with 1 More Time Games of Vienna – offering up to four simultaneous duels as players vie to win trophies and compete to claim victory trophies for victory in battle royale duels.
How Did Zev Shlasinger Found Z-Man Games?
What Has Sophie Gravel Accomplished as Founder of Z-Man Games?
Sophie Gravel has been named Head of Studio for Z-Man Games, publisher of Pandemic and Carcassonne board games. She replaces Steve Kimball who will soon begin working at Asmodee as their Director of Special Projects. Gravel will work towards maintaining Z-Man’s history of innovation and creativity in her new position.
Z-Man Games was established in 1999 and is now an internationally acclaimed publisher with an array of unique board and card games, such as Pandemic, Agricola, Neuroshima Hex Troyes Merchants & Marauders and more. Their mission is to craft innovative board and card games that become essential components in players’ collections today.
Asmodee is one of the world’s premier tabletop gaming companies with operations across 35 countries and an award-winning library that includes titles like Azul, Century: Spice Road, Plan B Games, Pretzel Games and Eggertspiele to name just a few. Asmodee boasts one of the world’s highest quality tabletop gaming experiences available today!
Asmodee announced this year that they would release a Star Wars board game utilizing the Pandemic system. This new take on this beloved classic allows players to explore an unknown galaxy while working together against diseases that threaten our humanity – created by Matt Leacock who also pioneered the award-winning Pandemic series of games.
Pandemic began life as a cooperative game, yet has since been transformed to fit many genres and scenarios. Even its flagship title has since expanded beyond disease containment to feature games focused on monsters or saving humanity from alien invasion.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – A Pandemic System Game was recently introduced as the latest addition to this franchise. Playable alone or with friends, and using similar rules as its original Pandemic counterpart, this new Pandemic installment should prove immensely popular with fans of Star Wars as a holiday gift item.
What Has Sophie Gravel Accomplished as Founder of Z-Man Games?
What Does Asmodee Bring to Z-Man Games?
Z-Man Games was established in 1999 and offers award-winning board game products ranging from family favorites to heavy strategy titles. Two of its most well-known franchises, Carcassonne and Pandemic, both with numerous expansions that have sold millions worldwide are Carcassonne and Pandemic respectively, though other top titles from Z-Man Games such as Terra Mystica and A Feast for Odin are also immensely popular worldwide. Furthermore, Challengers is their newest release which allows 1-8 player dueling play where players compete to earn as many trophies as possible against one another!
Z-Man Entertainment boasts an expansive lineup of miniatures-based tabletop games, such as Battlegrounds of the Vanguard and Cthulhu: Reign of Madness. Furthermore, Z-Man has collaborated with some of the world’s biggest entertainment properties like STAR WARS; moreover their team are passionate about creating and publishing games which are irresistible enough for people to pick up and cannot put down!
In 2011, F2Z Entertainment was purchased by Sophie Gravel of Filosofia Distribution & Publishing to form F2Z Entertainment. Under her guidance, Pandemic’s second edition launched successfully as well as other projects. Since her arrival, F2Z Entertainment has become one of the premier board game publishers.
Steven Kimball is an seasoned executive in the tabletop gaming industry, having held various roles at both Z-Man and Fantasy Flight Games. As founding member of Descent 2E’s design staff and an architect of numerous critically acclaimed releases, his new position will see him overseeing Asmodee studio operations and publishing efforts across their brands while working closely with Z-Man’s talented creative staff to bring new games to life.
What Does Asmodee Bring to Z-Man Games?
What Has CMON Accomplished as Z-Man Games’ Publisher?
Z-Man Games was established in 1999 and quickly rose to become one of the leading board game publishers. Best known for their Pandemic series of board games, as well as other critically acclaimed ones, Z-Man is located in Mahopac, New York and named after their founder Zev Shlasinger; products range from classic eurogames to more recent innovative offerings; K-max stocks many major titles from this popular publisher.
Pandemic was a cooperative board game designed for four or more players that required them to work together in order to stop a pandemic from spreading worldwide. An excellent family game that teaches teamwork and cooperation, Pandemic sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and remains a top seller today, giving rise to sequels and expansions that continue its legacy.
Z-Man has earned a stellar reputation for producing cutting-edge board games and miniatures, including some of the finest miniatures available today. Their current line features fantasy and sci-fi miniatures such as Dragonlance, Pathfinder, Star Wars X-wing as well as exquisite artwork like Lords of Waterloo and Condottiere.
Cryo is one such worker placement and card game developed by this company that takes place on an ice planet and only allows one faction to survive; its creators, Dominique Ehrhard and Duccio Vitale, collaborated closely in creating this challenging yet rewarding game with great depth and replay value.
Z-Man Games has been at the center of some important developments within the board gaming industry, such as helping establish an international community of board game designers and developers and supporting regional game publishers. Furthermore, it has attended trade shows worldwide to increase both visibility and sales of its product lines.
K-Max is proud to be an official stockist of this legendary publishing house’s games, known for their superior designs, quality artwork, and exceptional customer service. We carry all major titles as well as special order any you don’t see here if necessary – they also create timeless classics like Carcassonne and Pandemic!
What Has CMON Accomplished as Z-Man Games’ Publisher?
Be sure to read and share our other related stories at HowDoYouGame to learn more about how to game.
