We all love a good April fool’s prank, but what happens when a game studio’s prank backfires, with fans clamoring for more than just a release date? Ask Coffee Stain Studios who pranked(?) the world with a playable Goat Simulator or Fantasy Flight Games with their dog Vs cats inspired Arkham Horror spin-off, Barkham Horror! Well, you end up with an actual product that fans were screaming for and a sure-fire hit to boot!

Fantasy Flight Games pranked fans of their Arkham Horror Living Card Game, with a unique alternative universe that placed the protagonists as dogs against the eldritch forces of cats, while still capturing the Lovecraftian aesthetic the game is known for. As far as April Fools pranks go, this was one of the more thought out ones we have seen. The comprehensive product announcement spun the setting of Barkham now being under the control of the Order of Dead Rodents on the Doorstep following the discovery of the Necro-nom-nom-nom-icon giving them access to unnatural abilities. Many of the order found themselves turned into horrific beasts that prowl hunting the flesh of dog-kind.

This was made all the more convincing by the inclusion of a product box mock-up, featuring a kennel shaped church-like building surrounded by dog-bone tombstones. Several other pieces of artwork adorned the lengthy product announcement, with the inclusion of several game cards and incidental environments that broke up the paragraphs upon paragraphs of spiel used to fool us.

Obviously, the prank backfired, with the unexpected ensuing fan excitement resulting in the announcement that Barkham Horror: The Meddling of Meowlathotep, would come tabletops the world over. The 78-card scenario pack requires the original Arkham Horror for play, but unlike other expansions, it should be played alone in one-off games.

Sales of Barkham Horror will help charity Pets for Vets bring together, veterans and trained companion animals together. It’s a worthy cause, and it’s great to see FFG do something amazing with what was originally a joke.

Barkham Horror: The Meddling of Meowlathotep will be available online via the FFG website and at your local independent games stores from Friday, September 18th. Let The Fur Fly!

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Source: FFG - Original Prank, FFG - Product Announcement,  FFG - Livestream Announcement