Elzra is an award winning tabletop game manufacturer and publisher based in Ontario, Canada. It is known for producing the Catacombs line of fantasy tabletop games.
History
The Beginning: 2008-2010
Our journey began in early 2008 when we started designing what would become Catacombs, the first fantasy dexterity dungeon crawler. After extensive development and playtesting, we published the game under the Sands of Time Games imprint in March 2010. The response exceeded our expectations—the game sold out within six weeks and won both the BoardGameGeek and Dice Tower awards for most innovative game of 2010.
Early Success: 2011-2013
Encouraged by the reception, we released Catacombs Second Edition in 2011, which sold out at wholesale in a single day. That same year, we expanded the game with Cavern of Soloth and Dark Passageways. When GeekDad named Catacombs their Game of the Year for 2011, we knew we had created something special. We released a third expansion, Horde of Vermin, in 2012.
The Third Edition Era: 2014-2015
In 2014, we rebranded as Elzra and launched our first Kickstarter campaign for Catacombs Third Edition. This marked a turning point for the company. We partnered with artist Kwanchai Moriya—then relatively unknown but now a celebrated game illustrator—whose vibrant artwork transformed the visual identity of Catacombs. The campaign successfully funded, bringing updated rules, new mechanics, and expanded content including the redesigned Cavern of Soloth expansion and the Kickstarter-exclusive Crypt of Shaurath.
When Catacombs Third Edition released to retail in 2015, it sold out at wholesale within days and earned the Dice Tower Seal of Excellence and the prestigious "Reference Pear" award from Shut Up & Sit Down. Schwerkraft-Verlag released a German edition, expanding our international reach.
Expanding the Universe: 2016-2017
In 2016, we took the Dexterity Game System in a new direction with Catacombs & Castles, shifting from underground dungeons to above-ground siege warfare. The Kickstarter campaign funded successfully and fulfilled in 2017 alongside two new expansions: Siege Defender and Keystones & Keeps. We also printed Resurrection Packs to bring previous Kickstarter-exclusive content to new players.
That same year, we released Wyverns of Wylemuir, a crossover expansion that let players ride dragons in both Catacombs Third Edition and Catacombs & Castles. We also launched Catacombs Conquest, a faster card-driven dexterity game designed as an accessible entry point to our game system.
Global Growth: 2018-2020
By 2018, demand for our games had grown tremendously. The second printing of Catacombs Third Edition sold out, and our community expanded globally with players across North America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. The third printing sold out in 2020.
In 2020, we published Catacombs Cubes from Canadian designer Ken Valles, showcasing our commitment to bringing innovative dexterity games from talented designers to market. That same year brought unexpected recognition when Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Catacombs his recommended gift for Christmas 2020—a highlight in our company's history.
Recent Developments: 2021-Present
In 2021, we launched Catacombs & Castles Second Edition on Kickstarter alongside the Catacombs 3E Black Box expansion, which paid homage to the original first edition artwork from over a decade earlier. The following year, we expanded beyond dexterity games with Monster Pit, a strategic monster-battling game designed by Nick Seddon.
Most recently, in August 2024, we successfully funded Catacombs: Fortress of Nazemoor, a major expansion for Catacombs Third Edition that introduces new mechanics, heroes, and monsters while maintaining compatibility with the entire Catacombs 3E ecosystem.
Awards & Recognition
Throughout our journey, Elzra games have earned numerous industry accolades:
- BoardGameGeek Most Innovative Game (2010)
- Dice Tower Best Innovative Game (2010)
- Dice Tower Seal of Excellence - Catacombs Third Edition, Catacombs & Castles, Wyverns of Wylemuir
- GeekDad Game of the Year (2011)
- Shut Up & Sit Down "Reference Pear" Award
- Cardboard Herald "Critical Hit" (2017)
- IGA Gold Award - The only studio to win this honour
- Dice Tower Recommended - Catacombs Cubes
Conventions
The company attends / exhibits at the following conventions: GAMA, Dice Tower East, Gen Con, Spiel, SHUX, BGG Con, and PAX Unplugged
Elzra is a member studio of the Indie Game Alliance (IGA) and is the only studio to win their IGA Gold Award. Elzra is a member of GAMA.
Distribution
Elzra's product line is carried by the following distributors:
- ACD Distribution (USA)
- Aetherworks (Australia)
- Games Quest (UK)
- Universal Distribution (Canada)
- Front Depot (Germany)
Mailing address:
Elzra Corp
272-1063 King St W
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada
L8S 4S3