news 
Forbes Innovation
‘Gundam Assemble’ Tries To Enter The Realm Of Tabletop Gaming
January 5, 2025, 09:39am EST
Ollie Barder Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Ollie Barder covers Japanese pop-culture and gaming from Tokyo.
Following recent news of the Gundam franchise venturing into tabletop gaming with ‘Gundam Assemble’, Bandai Spirits has made an intriguing announcement. The game promises to allow players to build and paint 5-centimeter tall miniatures, which will then be used in a tabletop setting. This innovative approach may pique the interest of both Gundam enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
One of the key features is that the miniatures are based on iconic mecha designs from various Gundam series, rather than being limited to a specific timeline or franchise. While this may seem like an attractive proposition for fans of the property, it’s essential to consider the potential pitfalls of such an approach.
The primary concern arises from the fact that Gundam has multiple distinct and separate timelines. This will make it challenging to create a cohesive narrative framework within which players can engage in tabletop battles. Historically, major tabletop properties rely on a single, overarching storyline or setting to unify their games. The complexity of managing multiple timelines could potentially lead to confusion and disengagement.
Furthermore, there is no clear indication that the game will be able to effectively merge these disparate elements into a coherent narrative, which would be a crucial aspect for any successful tabletop gaming experience. Unfortunately, the Gundam franchise has seen its fair share of missteps in the past, including Gundam Evolution, which took a top-down corporate approach and ignored the respective settings.
While the buildable miniatures could, in theory, serve as an entry point into larger-scale gunpla construction, this aspect alone is unlikely to be enough to sustain a tabletop game. It’s uncertain whether Bandai Spirits has developed a plan to address these issues and provide a compelling narrative for players.
In conclusion, ‘Gundam Assemble’ has the potential to become an exciting addition to the tabletop gaming landscape if executed properly.
Source: www.forbes.com
