A game for the long shelf.
Sphere of Kings is one object a family keeps for years — seven games built into a 14 × 8 spherical board, with room for puzzles people design themselves. This page is how it came to be, where it is going, and who is behind it.
Where the vision began
Every great invention begins with an idea. Sphere of Kings began with a vision: to reimagine the traditional board game and create something that would stand apart from everything else on the market.
For generations, families have gathered around tables to enjoy chess, checkers, puzzles, and other classic games. These games have brought people together, encouraged strategic thinking, and created countless memories.
But we asked ourselves one important question:
- What if we could take these timeless experiences and transform them into something entirely new?
- What if a game board didn't have to be flat?
- What if the playing surface could become a sphere?
- What if multiple games could share one interchangeable gaming system?
- What if players could customize their experience, create their own puzzles, and enjoy different challenges without purchasing an entirely new board?
"These questions inspired the creation of Sphere of Kings."
Owner · founding note
What started as a concept for a unique spherical gaming platform evolved into an ambitious seven-in-one entertainment system. Through continuous design, development, experimentation, and refinement, Sphere of Kings has grown into something much bigger than our original vision.
Today, we're preparing to introduce Sphere of Kings to the world.
Introducing the 7-in-1 experience
Seven gaming experiences on one spherical platform. Something for strategy players, puzzle fans, families, collectors, and anyone who likes to make a game their own.
Royal Checkers™
Classic checkers reimagined on a spherical playing surface. Players must think strategically and adapt to the curved layout.
Classic strategy. A whole new perspective.Imperial Kings™
Our chess-inspired strategy experience. Every move matters, every decision creates new opportunities, every player must think ahead.
Think like a strategist. Play like royalty.Spherical Puzzle™
Assemble puzzle pieces around a curved surface. Shapes, patterns and images across a three-dimensional form, with multiple difficulty levels planned.
One sphere. Countless possibilities.DIY Paintable Experience™
Personalize compatible components with your own colors and designs. Children, families, artists — the sphere becomes a canvas.
Create it. Paint it. Make it yours.Custom Sphere Upload™
Transform a favorite photograph or design into a spherical puzzle — birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holiday gifts, original artwork.
Your picture. Your puzzle. Your Sphere.Expanded Sphere Challenges™
New patterns, combinations, strategies and creative solutions that extend replay value. Play solo, with friends, or cooperatively.
The challenge continues.Creator's Edition™
Experiment with new layouts, designs and gameplay ideas using compatible components. Sphere of Kings as a platform to shape, not just play.
Don't just play the game. Help shape it.The design — a game board unlike traditional boards
At the heart of Sphere of Kings is its distinctive spherical construction. Four design decisions shape the experience.
Innovative spherical structure
An approximately eight-inch spherical board — compact, visually distinctive, and designed to transform the feel of familiar games.
Magnetic gaming components
Magnetic connections hold compatible pieces to the curved surface, improving stability and making spherical play practical.
Interchangeable gaming systems
One board, many games — switch between compatible checker, chess and puzzle sets instead of buying a new board for every activity.
Portable and customizable
Compact enough to store, carry and play anywhere. From personalized puzzles to paintable components, customization is central to the long-term vision.
Built for families, friends, and generations
Technology has transformed entertainment — video games, phones, tablets, streaming. But something meaningful still happens when people sit together, challenge one another, laugh, compete, and create memories.
Sphere of Kings is being developed with those moments in mind. For grandparents introducing younger generations to strategic games. For children discovering the excitement of puzzles. For friends enjoying friendly competition. For adults who want a distinctive tabletop experience that challenges their thinking.
Learning through play
Games can offer much more than entertainment. Sphere of Kings is being designed to support six skills in particular.
Strategic thinking
Players consider their options, plan moves, and anticipate outcomes.
Problem-solving
Puzzles and challenges encourage players to explore solutions.
Spatial awareness
Spherical gameplay introduces an unusual three-dimensional environment.
Creativity
Customization and artistic activities encourage personal expression.
Patience & concentration
Puzzle assembly and strategic competition reward focused participation.
Social interaction
Multiplayer games encourage communication, cooperation, and friendly competition.
Built to last — sustainably
Every board and piece is crafted with precision 3D printing in environmentally friendly factories, using high-quality, eco-conscious materials.
Precision 3D printing
Sharp detail, smooth surfaces, and consistent fit across every set — components built to withstand years of gameplay without warping or breaking.
Reusable & recyclable
DIY pieces can be repainted again and again with no waste. The fully assembled edition can be recycled responsibly at the end of its life.
Eco-friendly factories
Our production process minimises waste, reduces energy use, and prioritises eco-conscious practices — so the game is gentle on the planet as well as fun to play.
Sustainable distribution
Orders ship through sustainable fulfilment partners, keeping our carbon footprint low while reaching backers quickly after the campaign ends.
Timeline
2024 — 2026Confirmed Prototyping and play-testing
Three generations of the spherical board, carried through family game nights, two chess clubs and one classroom.
September 2026Confirmed Pre-launch landing page
The Kickstarter waiting list opens. First subscribers join the launch list.
October 2026You are here Christmas Early Bird opens
Website preorders begin, with the 1,000-unit Early Bird cap per product.
November 19, 2026Confirmed Kickstarter launch
The campaign goes live on Kickstarter alongside the Early Bird shop.
December 1, 2026Confirmed Early Bird deliveries start
We begin shipping in the sequence Early Bird orders were paid. Not every parcel arrives on December 1.
Mid-December 2026Expectation Kickstarter deliveries
Backers of the Kickstarter campaign ship on a separate schedule. Timeline is an expectation, not a guarantee.
Early 2027Planned Custom-upload puzzle
The web uploader for Custom Sphere puzzles is approved for a Q1 release.
The team
"Sphere of Kings began with a simple belief: there is always room to create something new. I wanted to develop a game board that would stand out, challenge conventional thinking, and bring people together — not just another version of a traditional board game, but an experience people would remember."
James Scott Bowser · Founder & Creator
James Bowser
Founder · Creator
Conceived the Sphere of Kings vision, shaped the geometry of the spherical board, and leads the project end to end.
Benjamin Osei
Fulfillment lead
Runs production, packs and ships every Christmas Early Bird order.
The owner has not yet confirmed a third team member for this page. The slot stays here, honest and empty, until approval.
Risks & our commitments
Bringing a new product to life carries real risk. We'd rather name each one and the step we're taking to address it than pretend they're not there.
Precision & quality control
3D printing is precise, but any production run can hit delays. We've partnered with experienced manufacturers and will keep strict quality control on every board and piece.
Fulfilment & logistics
We aim to ship one month after the campaign ends. Global logistics can be unpredictable; our fulfilment partners are lined up and we'll communicate transparently about any delays.
Customisation variability
Painted results vary from player to player. We provide guidance and support, but your creative outcome is yours — and that's the point.
Materials sourcing
Our materials are sourced responsibly and sustainably. If shortages hit, contingency plans are in place to keep delays to a minimum.
Sustainability tradeoffs
Our focus on sustainability adds planning complexity. We'd rather carry that cost than lower our environmental standards — the planet matters as much as the play experience.
Be among the first families playing.
Christmas Early Bird deliveries start December 1, 2026. Order now to join the first shipping batch.
Shop the Early Bird