Root designer leaves to create his own studio, and he's taking two beloved board game franchises with him

Root box, board, tokens, and cards on a wooden table — (Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

The designer behind board game mega-hits Root and Arcs is leaving the publisher to create his own studio.

Revealed via Leder Games earlier this week, Cole Wehrle says that he and long-time collaborator Kyle Ferrin (who's illustrated many of Wehrle's tabletop projects in his signature style) "will be forming an entirely new company called Buried Giant Studios." Although Leder is retaining control of the Root IP, it has agreed to sell Wehrle the rights to Arcs and another game he designed, Oaths. Because Wehrle is responsible for beloved titles that are often included amongst the best board games of recent years, it's a significant move.

Fortunately, none of this seems to have stemmed from animosity or a falling out between Wehrle and Leder Games. Instead, Wehrle writes that the latter has always supported each of his projects, but these "offered a challenge for the creative direction of the company and for [founder Patrick Leder]'s original vision for Leder Games. Over the past few months we've pursued several possible paths forward and have arrived at something deeply fair-minded and almost singular in the history of the tabletop industry. I suppose it shouldn't surprise anyone that Patrick and his team would find a way to innovate even at a moment like this."

Taking off

Arcs board game box on top of the board alongside tokens, dice, and cards laid out on a wooden table — (Image credit: Scott White)

If you've yet to try Wehrle and Ferrin's most recent game, Arcs, it's well worth a look - our review says it "provides players with a whole lot of game in a small package, and offers flexibility in ways to play." You can currently pick it up for $51.29 at Amazon rather than $60.

Wehrle and Ferrin are therefore aiming to establish Buried Giant Studios with Cole's brother Drew, Ted Caya, and other longstanding collaborators over the coming weeks. Leder is also selling them ownership of Oaths and Arcs.

Buried Giant's first order of business is to handle fulfillment of expansion Oath: New Foundations alongside producing an add-on to Arcs, but new projects have been promised too.

So, what about Root? Wehrle notes that the series which allowed Leder to triple its staff size and move offices twice "will remain at Leder Games. In addition, if additional illustration is needed, Kyle will be able to support the game. I’m happy to take a look at whatever new factions the team might cook up, though the world of Root has no shortage of talented designers and interesting ideas."

Because of how potent the Wehrle-Ferrin combo has become (it's an instantly recognizable art-style paired with consistently innovative design), this initially comes across as a huge loss for Leder… but a win for gamers. It sounds as though both parties wished to go in different directions creatively, so both are now free to pursue those interests without being hampered or stepping on toes. That's a net positive for us, because now we can look forward to more cool stuff. I don't know about you, but I'll never say no to that.

Root: ~~$60~~ $47.58 at Amazon
Oath: ~~$120~~ $97.83 at Amazon

For more tabletop goodies, be sure to check out the best 2-player board games or the best card games.