About Southwest Board Games
Southwest Board Games is an independent tabletop game company built around a simple idea: the best games give people something to talk about long after the box is closed.
We make games that are easy to gather around, full of personality, and built to create memorable moments at the table. Sometimes that means clever strategy. Sometimes it means a little mischief. Sometimes it means making a choice you were sure was a good idea right up until everyone else took their turn.
What matters most is that the game gives everyone a reason to lean in, laugh, think, react, and become part of the story together.
Southwest Board Games was founded by Katie Emerick, a lifelong game lover, storyteller, and builder of systems who has spent a lot of time thinking about how people work — and play — together. You can meet the whole team here.
We're still early on the trail. Our first games are in development, our tables are covered in prototypes, and we're learning something new every time we play. That's part of the fun.
What We're Building
We're creating tabletop games for people who love:
- Clever choices without needing a rulebook the size of a textbook
- Plenty of player interaction
- Games with personality, humor, and a strong sense of place
- Strategies that can change from one play to the next
- Those moments when the whole table laughs, groans, celebrates, or immediately wants to play again
Our first game, Best in Class, is a competitive card game about building the best classroom bulletin board, making a little mischief along the way, and trying to catch the principal's eye.
And there are plenty more ideas waiting their turn.
Stay on the Trail
Want to follow along as Southwest Board Games takes shape?
Join our email list for new game announcements, behind-the-scenes design notes, playtesting opportunities, first looks, and the Roadrunner Report.
You can also catch up on what we've been working on in Trail Notes.