ECCC 2019: Beloved Graphic Novel Aquicorn Cove Adapted To Board Game
by Gary Catig
Aquicorn Cove is an all ages graphic novel that follows the story of Lana, a young girl from a storm ravaged town who discovers a colony of magical seahorse like creatures in a coral reef. She takes it upon herself to be the colony’s guardian. Now, a collaboration between Oni Games and Renegade Games reworks the Kate O’Neill graphic novel into a brand-new board game.
The Aquicorn Cove Board Game is designed by Steve Ellis, Tyler Tinsley, Ben Eisner and Tim Eisner. It is a 2-4 player cooperative game that allows each player to assume the role of a villager. In order to win, everyone must work together to feed and grow the village, and also help restore the health of the reef and aquatic ecosystem. Villagers aren’t alone and can be aided by the titular Aquicorns and the reef guardian, Aure.
O’Neill says:
As a graphic novel, I wanted Aquicorn Cove to encourage kids to engage with concepts of marine conservation, and make grown-up choices to protect the environment they’re going to inherit. I’m thrilled that the game will provide another dimension to this, and bring to life how wonderful and important our oceans and reefs are.
The Aquicorn Cove Board Game is expected to be released in late 2019. This is not the first adaptation of O’Neill’s work to a board game. The same design team previously developed a game based off of The Tea Dragon Society.
