WHAT'S POP'N V42
Issue 42
V42. Let's get into it.
This edition looks to the stars, then comes straight back down to shelves packed with fresh play. We are kicking things off with a space rock tribute to SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, before moving into closing pre-orders, new pre-orders, winter-ready promotions, clearance finds and new arrivals.
Further down, Stefan maps out Magic: The Gathering’s 2027 release schedule, Terry takes a relaxed holiday through Dorfromantik: South Seas, and the rest of the issue keeps the established favourites in orbit until the next content drop lands. Let’s launch. 🚀
If you haven’t noticed yet, consider this your PSA: reading the newsletter right to the end can be pretty rewarding! 👀
Congratulations to our lucky V40 winner! And to the clever cookies who entered the V41 competition, keep an eye on your notifications... there may be a little surprise waiting for you.
Now Playing: Signals in the Stars
Howzit everyone! For Edition 42, we are turning the volume up beyond the atmosphere with an epic space rock anthem inspired by SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, one of the standout board game experiences of 2024.
This track leans into the wonder of scanning the stars, chasing strange signals and waiting for that impossible blip to break through the cosmic static. Think soaring guitars, deep-space synths and a rhythm section built for mission control.
It is a little science, a little stargazing and a whole lot of tabletop adventure. I hope you enjoy this one. 🛸
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Retail partners: Don't miss out - these pre-orders are closing fast:
VIEW CLOSING PRE-ORDERSPlayers & collectors: Chat to your Friendly Local Game Store and lock in your copy before it's too late!
More New Pre-Orders Just Opened
This wave brings clever card play, party-table music chaos, Star Trek starship tension and a meaty strategy title from Stefan Feld, giving retailers a neat spread across quick-play, party, licensed and hobby-strategy audiences.
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Windy Wonder Deals!
Fresh deals are blowing through the catalogue.
Running from 24 July through to 21 August, there is still plenty of time to take advantage of this month’s deals, whether you are stocking shelves, planning ahead, or just looking for the perfect excuse to upgrade your winter game nights.
The selection is below. Go find your next favourite.
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Fresh arrivals have crossed the finish line, stepped through the multiverse, ignited a galactic conflict and lit up the puzzle shelf. This round brings Trefl Formula 1® energy, a premium MTG Marvel Superheroes Commander collectible, the next Star Wars: Unlimited booster release and a shimmering Premium Plus Secret Puzzle for puzzle fans chasing something a little more atmospheric.
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Go explore all our New Arrivals:
VIEW ALL NEW ARRIVALSMARISKA'S CORNER
Arts & Crafts: A Category Driving Year-Round Growth
As consumers continue to seek meaningful, screen-free entertainment, Arts & Crafts has become one of retail's strongest growth categories. No longer just for children, today's creative play products appeal to parents seeking educational activities, teens embracing DIY trends, and adults rediscovering creative hobbies.
Unlike many seasonal categories, Arts & Crafts delivers consistent sales throughout the year, driven by birthdays, school holidays, gifting occasions, family activities and hobby purchases. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that inspire creativity, learning and self-expression while providing hours of engaging entertainment.
The continued rise of DIY and crafting across social media has further fuelled demand, with consumers embracing opportunities to reduce screen time, learn new skills, personalise their creations and enjoy quality time with family.
For retailers, Arts & Crafts represents a category that combines strong consumer demand with year-round relevance, making it an exciting opportunity to drive repeat purchases and long-term category growth.
Solarpop has carefully developed an Arts & Crafts portfolio that caters to multiple age groups, interests and retail channels, offering products that combine creativity, quality and strong shelf appeal.
Hunter Studio
Hunter Studio inspires creativity through engaging DIY clay craft kits that encourage imagination, fine motor skill development and artistic expression.
The range offers eye-catching projects that appeal to all age group creators while providing excellent gift opportunities throughout the year.
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Hook & Heart
Crochet has become one of the fastest-growing creative hobbies globally, and Hook & Heart makes this trend accessible with beginner-friendly crochet kits.
The range delivers rewarding creative experiences that encourage repeat purchases as customers progress through different projects and collections.
The category also appeals beyond traditional children's products, attracting teenagers and adults looking for relaxing, mindful hobbies.
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My Vibe
Personalisation remains one of the strongest consumer trends, particularly among tweens and young teens.
My Vibe allows customers to create and customise fashionable Hangbags, encouraging individuality while delivering a highly engaging creative experience.
The range combines arts and crafts with fashion and lifestyle trends.
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With brands such as Hunter Studio, Hook & Heart and My Vibe, Solarpop is committed to helping retailers build inspiring creative destinations that attract customers and drive sustainable category growth.
STEFAN'S CORNER
Magic: The Gathering 2027 Release Schedule
The past weekend was MagicCon Amsterdam and Wizards of the Coast shared the release line-up for 2027.
There are some changes coming coupled with exciting releases. The most notable change is that Magic will revert to six expansions for the calendar year, split equally between in-universe and Universes Beyond sets.
No information has been shared about the Universes Beyond sets, but we can expect a Marvel-themed set due to the multi-year agreement for cross-over sets between Wizards of the Coast and Disney.
Let’s have a look at the in-universe sets that will feature one brand-new setting, a merger of two worlds, and a return to one of the original settings from Magic’s foundation.
Nauctis: The Sunken Realm (5 February 2027)“An endless ocean. Vast cities beneath the waves. Gods that command the currents as they swim alongside their followers. This is Nauctis, a plane rich with brine and opportunities for adventure.” Welcome to Magic’s first ever underwater-only setting. And don’t worry, you won’t be required to play with only blue cards and Islands! The designers have found clever ways to represent all the colours of Magic and this will be the first-ever set that does not feature the keyword ability of Flying.🧜 |
Kamigawa: Titanbreach (4 June 2027)The feudal age Japan inspired set was a fan favourite when it released in 2002. Magic players had to wait a long 18-years before returning to this plane in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and in the Multiverse 1,200 years had passed and Kamigawa had become a technologically advanced world. Five years later we return once more and the scientific advancements will be a very important tool in the coming mechs versus monster battle. An Omenpath has opened on Kamigawa and on the other end is the unforgiving primal world of Ikoria, filled with monsters and magic, beasts and behemoths that want to do nothing more than simply STOMP! |
The Magic designers seem to have taken inspiration from a different popular franchise about robots and other worldly invaders, but you won’t see me complaining about it!
Zhalfir (1 October 2027)Magic fans familiar with the old lore of Dominaria will know Zhalfir as the kingdom that was phased out of reality with very powerful magic during the first Phyrexian Invasion. This attempt by the chronomage, Teferi, to save his country of birth had many terrible and unintended consequences, including costing him his Planeswalker spark. In the Void, the world existing between worlds, Zhalfir gained its own worldsoul and became its own plane of existence. It is to this old, but new setting that we return in October of next year. |
Players can look forward to what, for South Africans, will be familiar architecture, fashion, weapons and culture in this afro-centric setting. Having been the most advanced society on Dominaria and having escaped the ravages of war that decimated the rest of the planet, Zhalfir has continued to prosper and is returning stronger than ever.
I am very excited to see the world and card design for Magic’s take on an afro-futuristic society that is likely an unknown part of Magic for a whole generation of newer Magic players.
For a more in-depth look at the official announcement, check out the Wizards article:
VIEW ANNOUNCEMENTTERRY'S CORNER
We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday with Dorfromantik
Tie-ins between video games and tabletop games is nothing new, and it’s something I’ve spoken about at length in previous columns. But with this trend showing no signs of slowing down, if anything, we’re getting more and more every year, it’s interesting to note that one of the most popular crossovers is not based on any multi-million-dollar AAA franchise, but on a peaceful puzzle game made by four master’s students and released fewer than five years ago.
 | South Seas is the fourth standalone title in the Dorfromantik board game series. Players will leave behind forests and fields of the original game and the soft, pink cherry blossoms of Dorfromantik Sakura and immerse themselves in a sparkling paradise of sandy beaches, turquoise islands, and coral reefs teeming with schools of colourful fish. |
Like previous entries in the series, South Seas brings several unique thematic twists to the game. Some of these, like the introduction of boats and fishing mechanics, will be obvious from the outset, and some, which the publishers have not fully disclosed at the time of writing, will only reveal themselves as players progress through the campaign. |  |
Dorfromantik – South Seas is set to debut at Spiel Essen in October 2026 and is available for pre-order on our B2B now. If you’re a fan of cosy, puzzly and above all relaxed games, and somehow haven’t checked Dorfromantik out yet, now is the time to do so.
ETIENNE'S CORNER
The Force is with NatOne
Howzit folks!
It's not every day that I get invited to be part of a podcast, so when the team at NatOne came knocking, I jumped at the opportunity!
If you've been following me for a while via the Newsletter, you'll know that I'm a huge fan of Star Wars™: Unlimited. I actively collect and play the game, and it's been an incredible journey watching the community grow and evolve through both the highs and the challenges of our local market.
When NatOne reached out to learn more about Star Wars™: Unlimited, I was thrilled to sit down with the team and share what makes the game so special. We explored everything from the core gameplay, collectability and the growth of the local community to the exciting future of the game in South Africa. |  |
We also discussed the variety of ways to enjoy Star Wars™: Unlimited, from casual play and Twin Suns to competitive Premier tournaments, highlighting just how much the game has to offer players of all experience levels.
 | It was a fantastic conversation, and I had a great time sharing my passion for one of my favourite trading card games. A huge thank you to the NatOne team for the invitation, I really appreciate the opportunity and look forward to seeing even more players discover the game through their content. |
Feel free to view the podcast episode by clicking the link below.
May the Force (& cards) be with you!
Mandela Day: Turning Care Into Action
Mandela Day is a reminder that even small acts of service can ripple outward into something bigger. It honours Nelson Mandela’s legacy of compassion, unity and community action, encouraging each of us to use what we have, where we are, to make a meaningful difference.
This year, the Solarpop Cape Town crew rolled up their sleeves and spent time cleaning up one of Cape Town’s beaches for Mandela Day. It was a simple but important way to care for a shared space, protect the coastline, and leave a little more sunshine behind than we found.
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Happy Birthday Madiba. Your legacy continues to inspire us to show up, serve and do good.
