Edinburgh Board Game Aster Hits Kickstarter Goal in Just 25 Minutes
An Edinburgh-made board game reached its Kickstarter funding goal in just 25 minutes, raising thousands of pounds for independent studio Midnight Trading Co.
Aster, a space-themed strategy game designed by Edinburgh-based Robert Gelb alongside Andy Law, launched on 27 October 2026. By 5 November, the campaign had raised more than £30,000 against an initial target of £6,842.
The game has attracted hundreds of backers from around the world, with Edinburgh leading the list of cities supporting the project, according to its creators.
What Is Aster?
Aster is a strategy board game for two or three people, combining ideas from traditional games such as chess and draughts with an unusual vision of space travel.
Rather than relying on spaceships armed with lasers and futuristic technology, the game imagines an ancient civilisation navigating between worlds using star charts and Skysails powered by sunlight.
Players move ships around a circular board, build defences, and compete for control of different areas. Games typically last between 20 and 40 minutes.
Designer Robert Gelb explained the thinking behind it:
“Ancient games show that we’ve come together to play for millennia. There’s something special that makes a game timeless, and I wanted to combine that with a space theme that didn’t have much in the way of technology.”
The game took three years to develop and is the first planned release in the studio’s Solari universe.
An International Team With Edinburgh Roots
Gelb worked with fellow designer Andy Law, whose previous credits include Call of Cthulhu, Critical Role, and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.
The artwork is another important part of the project. Midnight Trading Co says every illustration and design element was created by people rather than generative AI.
Ten artists from around the world contributed, including Will Tempest, who created the cover artwork, and Robbie Cook, responsible for the main game board.
The finished game features 54 playing pieces, a double-sided board, and three faction bags.
Edinburgh’s Board Game Community
Aster’s success also draws attention to Edinburgh’s tabletop gaming community.
Gelb is co-director of Ancient Robot Workshop in Leith, a co-working and community space for amateur and professional tabletop game designers. He runs it alongside Dougal Freir, director of Ancient Robot Games.
The workshop gives designers and artists a place to develop games, exchange ideas, and work alongside others with similar interests.
Edinburgh also has established gathering places for tabletop enthusiasts, including Potions and Rations on Broughton Street, Ancient Robot Games in Leith, and the Edinburgh Board Gamers meetup.
Gelb believes the appeal of playing games together, away from phones and screens, is helping the hobby grow.
“It’s a growing industry, and one filled with people who are excited to see more games, and want to help,” he said.
“Tabletop games combine story-telling, maths, theme, mechanics, with beautiful writing and artwork.”
How to Support Aster on Kickstarter
The Aster Kickstarter campaign remains open until 24 November 2026.
The standard edition is available through a £30 pledge, with additional packages offering expansions, metal playing pieces, and a travel-friendly board.
Shipping costs and applicable taxes are charged separately. The creators are currently aiming to deliver the game in December 2027.
Anyone interested in supporting the Edinburgh studio can find the full campaign, gameplay details, and pledge options on the official Aster Kickstarter page.
Further information about the studio is available at Midnight Trading Co.