{"title":"Designer: Romaric Galonnier","description":"\u003cp\u003eRomaric Galonnier designs streamlined social deduction and negotiation games where player interaction drives every decision. His work emphasizes tight player counts and accessible rulesets that reveal strategic depth through repeated play, focusing on hidden roles, shifting alliances, and careful timing. \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/strong\u003e exemplifies his approach: players maneuver through courtly intrigue, managing influence and reading opponents in a compact, tense experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese designs suit groups who prize table talk and psychological gameplay over complex systems. Fans of compact negotiation games and social deduction with minimal downtime find Galonnier's work particularly rewarding, as his mechanisms encourage constant engagement without lengthy rules explanations. Expect games that finish in under an hour but generate memorable moments of betrayal and clever positioning.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"courtisans","title":"Courtisans","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans\u003c\/strong\u003e places you in the cutthroat world of a royal court, where influence is everything and rivals will stop at nothing to claim favour. Designer Romaric Galonnier has crafted a quick-playing set collection game that balances strategic planning with direct interaction—expect to build your power base while undermining your opponents' carefully laid plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 5 players compete to assemble the most valuable sets of courtiers, vying for end-game bonuses that reward clever combinations. The take-that mechanics ensure no one's position is safe: just when you think you've secured a winning tableau, a rival might disrupt your entire strategy. Noëmie Chevalier's artwork brings the opulent court to life, making every card feel like a miniature portrait of intrigue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a low complexity rating of 1.3 and an age recommendation of 8+, \u003cem\u003eCourtisans\u003c\/em\u003e welcomes newer players while offering enough tactical depth to keep experienced gamers engaged. The blend of accessible rules and meaningful decisions makes it ideal for family game nights or as a sharp filler between longer sessions. Published in 2024 by Catch Up Games, it has already earned a solid 7.3 rating on BoardGameGeek.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386352275840,"sku":"5065014806258","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/Courtisans.png?v=1783177388"},{"product_id":"courtisans-diplomats-and-confidants","title":"Courtisans: Diplomats and Confidants","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed by Romaric Galonnier, players navigate the intricate politics of Renaissance courts through negotiation and hidden agendas. This expansion introduces new roles and powers that deepen the interplay of influence and deception established in the base game.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver 30 to 45 minutes, three to five players adopt secret identities, forming temporary alliances and competing for control over key areas of the court. Each turn presents opportunities to broker deals, leverage information, and shift loyalties—mechanics that reward both psychological reading and tactical hand management. The medium-weight complexity (2.1) makes it approachable for players aged 10 and up while offering enough strategic depth to keep seasoned gamers engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublished by Catch Up Games in 2023, this expansion builds on variable player powers and area majority scoring. Mihajlo Dimitrievski's artwork reinforces the period atmosphere without overwhelming the functional clarity needed for quick negotiations. The result is a compact experience where every conversation matters and allegiances remain uncertain until the final reveal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386482626944,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/COUREXP1-CS_Courtisans_DiplomatsandConfidants_Caseof12.png?v=1783177795"}],"url":"https:\/\/mpgames.io\/collections\/designer-romaric-galonnier.oembed","provider":"MPGames","version":"1.0","type":"link"}