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Gambonanza is a new chess-inspired roguelike title from solo developer Paul Giovannini, under the name Blukulélé. It is due for release in early 2026 and has now secured a global co-publishing partnership to help it reach a larger audience. Gambonanza’s trailer, released ten months ago, already has about half a million views, so plenty of gamers will want to get their hands on this one.
Gambonanza is a turn-based chess roguelike set on a condensed board where tactical risks yield high rewards. The game reimagines traditional chess as a strategy-packed adventure where victory requires capturing every piece on the board through synergistic play. Stray Fawn and Sidekick Publishing will be taking up the publishing baton, which means that Gambonanza will now be released simultaneously on PC, via Steam, as well as mobile platforms.
On collaborating with Sidekick, Paul Giovannini said. “Sidekick immediately understood Gambonanza, both the game and the vision behind it. They just get it, making our collaboration ridiculously smooth and motivating. And now that another partner has joined the adventure, our very serious victory poses have somehow become even more dramatically hilarious!”
Key Features:
Synergistic Gambits: Over 150 Gambits allow players to alter the properties of their run, such as supercharging specific pieces or forcing enemies to skip turns.
Tactical Board Upgrades: Players can enhance the chessboard with golden squares, blessing tiles, and protective surfaces to gain a tactical edge.
Dynamic Reserve System: A unique off-board storage system allows players to keep extra pieces in reserve, deploying them at pivotal moments to shift the balance of power.
High-Impact Rounds: Smaller starting boards intensify the strategic tension, delivering quick yet deep gameplay sessions.
Retro Aesthetic: The game features vibrant pixel art and a nostalgic CRT filter, complemented by a quirky atmosphere and mini-games inspired by slot machines, pachinko and Gachapon.
