Every year, Archon Studio attends Spiel Essen, Europe’s biggest and most anticipated board game convention. But this year was truly special for us, because for the first time, we went there with StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game as our main focus.
After countless hours of sculpting, research, internal testing, and close collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, we were finally ready to show something tangible—not just concepts and promises, but real models, gameplay demos, and our very first StarCraft game.
We departed for Essen two days before the show to assemble our stand. When the first day of Spiel arrived, excitement filled the air, and so did the fans!
As soon as the gates opened, visitors rushed in to queue for our exclusive promo miniature of Zeratul, which we had announced shortly before. For many long-time StarCraft fans, Zeratul is a legendary character, and we wanted to do him justice. The miniature features a dynamic pose fitting the character’s personality and a special cloaked version crafted in clear plastic.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Fans loved the detail and presentation, and seeing that long queue for our very first StarCraft TMG model made all the hard work worth it.
But Zeratul wasn’t the only highlight of our stand — far from it. This year, we proudly displayed physical models of our StarCraft TMG miniatures, including both HIPS plastic production versions and several 3D-printed prototypes.
We’re working closely with Blizzard Entertainment’s team to ensure every sculpt meets both our quality expectations and theirs, so some miniatures are still in development. However, visitors were able to get an up-close look at our progress, materials, and production standards.
The miniatures were presented in several formats:
- A large scenic diorama recreating an intense battlefield
- Display shelves featuring painted and unpainted miniatures
- Separate sprues showcasing both grey and clear plastic elements
- Five fully painted playable sets used for in-person game demos
The reaction from the community was incredible, many long-time StarCraft players told us that the miniatures “look just like in the game” and praised the quality and attention to detail. Hearing that from the fans who grew up with StarCraft truly means the world to us.
We’re fully committed to delivering an authentic and immersive game that feels true to the universe we all know and love.
For those who couldn’t join us in person, we made sure to bring a piece of Spiel Essen to you! We published detailed videos of our Zerg and Terran miniatures, along with reels from our booth, giving fans around the world a closer look at the models and atmosphere.
Additionally, we released a “How to Paint” video featuring the Zeratul promo miniature conducted by our talented content creator Dave, offering a step-by-step guide for painters everywhere.
The Zeratul promo model was also available for purchase online during all four days of the convention, allowing fans worldwide to join the excitement. We always open online availability during major trade shows, so if you missed your chance this time, keep an eye on our website!
Of course, models are only half of what makes a miniatures game great. It’s the gameplay that fully brings it to life.
This year, we were ready to introduce players to the first public StarCraft TMG demos. Under the direction of our CEO Jarek, a lifelong StarCraft fan, our design team has been working tirelessly to refine the game’s rules, balance, and replayability.
Throughout all four days of Spiel Essen, our four demo tables were fully booked from morning until evening. Visitors had the chance to experience beta rules for two iconic factions: Terran and Zerg. Players could command Marines and Marauders for the Terran faction, while others unleashed Zerglings, Hydralisks, and Roaches to overwhelm their opponents.
The feedback we received was invaluable, as players shared both praise and thoughtful suggestions that will help us polish the game even further. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to play, ask questions, and share their excitement!
If you’d like to dive deeper into the mechanics, be sure to catch Jarek’s fortnightly “Ask Me Anything” streams, where he answers community questions about StarCraft TMG. The October 30th stream was entirely focused on StarCraft, covering Essen feedback, gameplay concepts, and what’s next for the project.
The response to StarCraft: The Tabletop Miniatures Game at Spiel Essen 2025 far exceeded our expectations. We returned home exhausted but incredibly proud,and most importantly, inspired by all the feedback we gathered.
We’ll continue to share updates about the game’s development, so stay tuned for more announcements later this year.
A huge thank-you to everyone who visited our booth, shared kind words, and supported the project. And a special shoutout to the wonderful visitor who told us her two sons are named Tassadar (2 years old) and Zeratul (8 years old)—that story truly made our day! Of course, she went home with her very own Zeratul promo miniature.
Here’s to more events, more demos, and more amazing moments ahead!
Stay tuned for updates as we bring the battle for the Koprulu Sector to tabletops worldwide!
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