Belhaven Art Professor Launches New Board Game: Red Tides
September 16, 2024 (Jackson, Miss.) – Belhaven University’s Art Professor Jon Micah Tyson has teamed up with his longtime friend and game designer Nick Raynor to create an exciting new board game, Red Tides: A Tale of New Caribbea. This collaborative effort blends Tyson’s artistic vision with Raynor’s game design expertise to deliver an immersive experience that is sure to captivate board game enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
Red Tides is a 1-4 player cooperative dice battler infused with rich RPG elements. Set in the fantastical world of New Caribbea, players embark on an epic pirate-themed adventure where they must build their ship from a leaky dinghy into a formidable vessel of destruction. The game invites players to gather crew members, upgrade cannons, and roll custom dice as they challenge the tyrannical Pirate King John Davies and his monstrous ship, the Dead Drifter. The game is a unique blend of influences, combining the strategic depth of World of Warcraft’s boss battles, the power-up progression of Mega Man, and the nautical adventure of Sid Meier’s Pirates! With over 100 custom dice and a tangible sense of progression as ships physically grow in size and power, Red Tides offers a deeply immersive and satisfying gameplay experience. As Professor Tyson puts it, “It just feels good to roll a ton of dice!”
As the artist and designer behind the game, Tyson has infused Red Tides with his artistic vision, drawing inspiration from life. Many of the characters in the game are based on people he knows—friends, family members, and even some of his students. This personal touch adds an extra layer of authenticity and connection to the game’s vibrant world. The collaboration between Tyson and Nick is a testament to their shared love for games and storytelling. Together, they have crafted a world that is as visually stunning as it is strategically engaging.
Professor Tyson has also found a way to integrate the game into his teaching for Belhaven University Art and Design Department. He uses Red Tides in various classes to explore topics such as graphic design, character creation, and the iterative process of developing a creative project. “It’s a fun study of process and iteration,” says Tyson. “There’s so much to learn, from color correction and alignment to creating characters that resonate.”
Red Tides is set to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Backerkit in March 2025. Currently, the game is in its pre-launch phase, and Tyson and his team are actively building a community of supporters. Those interested in helping bring this exciting project to life are encouraged to visit the pre-launch page and sign up with their email to receive updates and be notified when the campaign goes live. To support Red Tides and be part of its journey, visit the Backerkit Pre-Launch Page.
Red Tides is more than just a game—it’s an experience. With its engaging gameplay, stunning artwork, and deep strategic elements, it promises to be a standout addition to any board game collection. Whether you’re a fan of pirate lore, dice games, or RPGs, Red Tides offers something special for everyone. By backing the game, you’re not only adding a unique title to your collection but also supporting the creative endeavors of a talented artist and educator.