It is I, Proximus Maximus, your devoted Imperator, here to speak of the empire’s triumphs and the glories yet to come in CE 2025. Look around—our workshops hum with innovation, our trade routes are bustling, and our vision for the future grows brighter daily. Indeed, our empire stands tall, built not just on ambition but on the support and passion of loyal citizens like you.
But let us not grow complacent! I have grand plans for the coming year—new creations, bold initiatives, and opportunities to expand our influence far beyond what we dreamed possible. Of course, I could go on at length in the tongue of Cicero, but I suspect you'd prefer I speak plainly. So, let me set aside the pomp and switch to a more familiar tone to share the State of the Empire!
Custom Playmat Sizing Standards
Custom TCG playmats will be available in two new size definitions. While these sizing standards apply to TCG playmats, they will apply to playmats for other games. Here are the details:
Sizes and Names
- Centurion: 24” x 14” (600 x 350 mm): The versatile standard. This size balances portability and functionality, making it the go-to choice for most games. It provides ample space for cards and tokens without overwhelming smaller play areas.
- Imperator: 28” x 14” (700 x 350 mm): This spacious and commanding size provides ample room for expansive setups, making it perfect for games requiring more components or a larger surface area.
Transition to 3 mm Thickness
We are transitioning all custom playmats in these two sizes to a default 3 mm thickness, moving away from the thinner 2 mm mats. This change offers several advantages:
- Increased Comfort: The thicker material provides a softer, cushioned surface, enhancing the playing experience during extended sessions.
- Improved Durability: The extra thickness makes the mats more robust, reducing the risk of wear and tear over time.
- Enhanced Premium Feel: The added heft and texture give the mats a higher-quality, professional look and feel.
The 3 mm standard will affect other-sized mats, providing enhanced comfort, durability, and a premium feel:
- 24" x 12" (600 x 300 mm)
- 24" x 14" (600 x 350 mm)
- 28" x 14" (700 x 350 mm)
- 16" x 12" (400 x 300 mm)
- 16" x 10" (400 x 250 mm)
- 18" x 8" (450 x 200 mm)
- 12" x 10" (300 x 250 mm)
Larger playmats, such as two-player or large solo mats, will remain at 2 mm. These mats tend to be heavier already, and adding the extra thickness doesn’t benefit the average player much. We’ll rethink these changes in the future.
Aligning with Community Demand
Over time, we've observed that players increasingly prefer playmats with a thickness of 3 mm. As a company focused on delivering high-quality products, this transition aligns with community expectations and provides the best experience for our customers. By standardizing on 3 mm, we ensure our playmats meet the highest quality and performance standards.
Move to Domestic Printing (US)
We are exploring options to print more of our playmats domestically in the US, starting with our standard sizes, Centurion (24" x 14") and Imperator (28" x 14"), and eventually transitioning to include smaller-sized mats. Domestic production offers several key advantages:
- Faster turnaround times: Printing, shipping, and transit times are significantly reduced for US-based customers.
- Enhanced quality control: Local production ensures we can closely monitor the quality of every playmat before it ships.
- Improved reliability: Fewer risks of delays compared to international shipping processes.
- Greater flexibility: It is easier to adjust production schedules to meet customer demand or introduce new sizes.
While domestic production will focus on US orders, international orders will continue to be fulfilled through our trusted overseas partner to ensure timely delivery and the same high-quality standards for customers outside the US.
Giveaways
In 2025, we’re excited to ramp up our efforts to connect with the TCG and card game community by hosting more giveaways. These giveaways will pair our high-quality playmats with popular TCG starter decks and card games, providing players with a complete package to enhance their gaming experience.
We aim to spread brand awareness, grow our social media following, and establish ourselves as a major player. We want to showcase the quality and creativity of our playmats and foster a deeper connection with the gaming community. Stay tuned for announcements, and be sure to follow us to take part in these exciting opportunities!
Here are some of the giveaways scheduled for 2025:
- 1x A pair of Disney Lorcana starter decks with a pair of Disney Lorcana playmats.
- 2x A pair of Altered TCG starter decks with a pair of Altered TCG playmats.
- 1x A starter deck set of Star Wars Unlimited with a pair of SW:U playmats.
- 1x Arkham Horror: The Card Game paired with three playmats.
- 1x Imperium: Horizons paired with three playmats.
- 1x Astro Knights: Eternity paired with four playmats.
- 1x Dice Throne: Outcasts paired with two playmats.
Phasing Out AI Art
In 2025, we’re committing to replacing 70% of our current AI-generated playmat art with pieces created by real, talented artists. While using AI art was a quick and effective way to start our business, we’ve recognized the need to evolve and support the creative community that makes the tabletop gaming world so vibrant.
Partnering with real artists allows us to offer unique, high-quality designs that tell stories, evoke emotion, and resonate with players on a deeper level. It’s not just about the art itself—it’s about celebrating the talent and imagination of the artists behind it. This initiative reflects our dedication to providing exceptional products while contributing to the artistic community, which inspires much of our work.
Artist Program
We’re thrilled to announce plans for an Artist Partnership Program in 2025. This program celebrates creativity and allows artists to showcase their work to a larger audience. Artists of all skill levels can submit their artwork for consideration, and we’ll feature selected pieces on our playmats. The artist will receive a commission for every playmat sold, offering both exposure and a tangible reward for their talent.
Our goal is to build a collaborative platform where artists can share their passion while customers enjoy one-of-a-kind designs that enhance their gaming experiences. We want to bring even more diversity and originality to the playmat market.
How it works:
- Artist Submissions: Launch an open call for artwork via our website and social media platforms.
- Art Selection: Review submissions and curate a collection of designs that fit our playmat themes and standards.
- Playmat Listings: Feature the chosen artwork on our website, giving full credit to the artist.
- Commission Structure: Artists earn a commission for every playmat sold featuring their design.
- Promotion: We will use our social media channels to spotlight artists, their stories, and their work, helping to grow their audience.
Updated Website Design
We're excited to announce an upcoming update to our website featuring a faster, more responsive theme. The upgrade comes with several benefits:
- Improved Speed and Responsiveness: Navigate the site quickly, whether on desktop or mobile.
- Support for New Initiatives: Paves the way for integrating programs like the Artist Partnership Program.
- Enhanced Features: Expect exciting additions like "Deal of the Day" promotions and subscription options.
- Future Innovations: A solid foundation for implementing more customer-focused features.
The update represents our commitment to improving both the quality of our products and our customers' experience. Stay tuned as we roll out these changes and continue to make our website the best destination for all your playmat needs!
Wrap Up
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re more excited about future changes and opportunities. From new standardized playmat sizes to transitioning to 3 mm thickness, we’re focused on delivering products that meet the highest quality and functionality standards. Our move toward domestic printing for key sizes will enhance speed, reliability, and quality control, ensuring we can provide even better service to our customers.
We’re thrilled to announce our commitment to partnering with real artists. By replacing AI-generated designs with unique, handcrafted artwork, we’re bringing fresh creativity to our playmats while supporting talented creators. Launching our Artist Partnership Program will allow artists to earn commissions and gain exposure while buyers enjoy a wider selection of stunning, unique designs.
Add to this our increased focus on community-building through giveaways and social media outreach, and 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year. We’re improving our website to introduce exciting features like "Deal of the Day" promotions and subscription options, making connecting with what we offer easier. Our offerings support fuels everything we do, and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store. We hope you’re as excited as we are about what’s ahead. Stay tuned—CE 2025 is going to be amazing!
Proximus Maximus, Imperator
Alea iacta est
