One of the things we like to do here at the Malted Meeple is give some extra attention to our favorite board game publishers and designers. In our monthly Publisher’s Spotlight we provide a bit of a background on the publisher, discuss a few of their games, and may even announce a visit to The Meeple by some of the publisher’s representatives!

Founded in 2004 in Nancy, France, IELLO began life as a game and toy distributor. A few short years later in 2008 IELLO crossed over into the publishing world through partnership with a variety of creative studios. By 2010 IELLO had begun publishing games under their own brand, and are we ever glad!

IELLO’s games offer rich graphics, aesthetically pleasing components, and innovative yet challenging game play. A prime example of IELLO’s style is the best-selling and award-winning game King of Tokyo. Designed by Richard Garfield and published in 2011, King of Tokyo cemented IELLO’s place in the American board gaming community.

The Malted Meeple library contains several titles published by IELLO. Some of our favorites include King of Tokyo, Welcome to the Dungeon and Medieval Academy.

Each of these games offer players a different type of gaming experience. In King of Tokyo, players take on the role of giant monsters trying to cause as much havoc as possible in Tokyo. Welcome to the Dungeon is a light push your luck game where players dare each other to face the monsters that lurk in the dungeon, with as little equipment as possible. Finally, Medieval Academy is a drafting game in which players take on the role of squires trying to ascend to knighthood.

As a publisher, IELLO is dedicated to the idea that games bring people together. To that end, they strive to bring new and interesting games to the world. This is a mission that we wholeheartedly support.

So the next time you are at the Malted Meeple, be sure to pick up an IELLO game, and spend some play time with your friends and family!

Karington Hess is a lifelong gamer whose passions for hospitality and all things game-related led him to Ravenwood Castle, where he served as an Innkeeper before joining The Malted Meeple. When not pouring beers, crafting milkshakes, or teaching boardgames, Karington can be found behind the DM’s screen, weaving intricate stories for his fellow gamers.