CMON in Critical Condition: Zombicide Creator Announces $8 Million Loss, Sells Key IPs
Hong Kong, August 21, 2025 – A storm is brewing in the world of tabletop gaming. CMON, the company that brought us the wildly popular Zombicide, Blood Rage, and Rising Sun, has issued a stark profit warning, revealing an expected loss of $6 to $8 million for the first half of 2025. This represents a dramatic downturn, nearly tripling the total losses incurred over the previous decade. This is breaking news for the board game community and investors alike, and signals a potentially seismic shift in the industry.
From Crowdfunding King to Financial Struggle
For years, CMON dominated the crowdfunding landscape, leveraging Kickstarter to fund ambitious miniature-heavy board games. Titles like Zombicide became cultural phenomena, known for their intricate gameplay and impressive component counts. But the good times appear to be firmly in the past. The company’s troubles began around 2020, coinciding with the disruptions of the pandemic, and have steadily worsened. A small profit of just $170,000 in the first half of 2024 has evaporated, replaced by a looming multi-million dollar loss.
The core issue? A significant decline in sales. CMON isn’t just facing a slowdown; it’s experiencing a rapid contraction. This isn’t simply a matter of market fluctuations. It reflects a broader challenge facing crowdfunding-reliant companies: maintaining momentum and delivering on promises when faced with logistical hurdles and shifting consumer preferences.
Drastic Measures: Selling the Family Silver
In a desperate attempt to stabilize the situation, CMON has implemented a series of drastic measures. Perhaps the most shocking move has been the sale of intellectual property rights to some of its most beloved games. Even flagship titles like Zombicide, Blood Rage, and Rising Sun – games synonymous with the CMON brand – have been put on the market. This is akin to a music label selling the rights to its biggest hits; it generates immediate capital but sacrifices long-term revenue potential.
Beyond asset sales, CMON has also enacted personnel reductions and halted new project development, focusing instead on fulfilling existing commitments. The company is pivoting towards smaller, retail-focused titles, a strategy shift designed to reduce risk and streamline production. They are also aggressively attempting to catch up on delayed deliveries, with projects like Dark Providence, Dune: War for Arrakis – Desert War, and Marvel United: The Witching Hour reportedly nearing completion.
The Crowdfunding Model Under Scrutiny
CMON’s struggles highlight the inherent risks of the crowdfunding model, particularly in the complex world of board game production. While Kickstarter allows companies to gauge demand and secure funding upfront, it also creates a significant burden of expectation. Delays, quality control issues, and fulfillment nightmares can quickly erode consumer trust. This is especially true for games with a high component count and intricate production processes.
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What’s Next for CMON? A Race Against Time
The next few months will be critical for CMON. Two deliveries are planned for the fourth quarter of 2025, including the highly anticipated DCeased: A Zombicide Game, which raised over $2.5 million on Kickstarter. However, the loss of key brands, the threat of US tariffs, and the departure of experienced managers cast a long shadow over the company’s future.
Ultimately, CMON’s survival hinges on its ability to regain the trust of its backers and investors. Can smaller-scale retail releases fill the void left by its crowdfunding behemoths? Can the company navigate the complex logistical challenges that have plagued it in recent years? The answers to these questions will determine whether CMON can claw its way back from the brink and reclaim its position as a leader in the tabletop gaming industry. The situation is a stark reminder that even the most successful companies aren’t immune to market forces and the challenges of a rapidly evolving business landscape. For those following the industry, keeping a close eye on CMON’s progress – and the broader implications for crowdfunding – will be essential.
Stay tuned to Archyde.com for further updates on this developing story and in-depth analysis of the tabletop gaming industry. We’ll continue to provide breaking news and insightful commentary on the trends shaping this dynamic market.
