Sanibel: Elizabeth Hargrave Takes Us to the Beach with Her New Game

2026 is starting with a sea breeze for the board game world. Elizabeth Hargrave , the celebrated mind behind the global phenomenon Wingspan , has officially announced her new project: Sanibel .

The news comes directly from her January newsletter, where the author shared the first details of this title inspired by the famous Florida island, renowned throughout the world as one of the best places for shell collecting.

What is Sanibel about?

Temporarily abandoning the aviaries and fox experiments, Hargrave seems to want to focus on a relaxing and contemplative experience. Sanibel is described as a game centered on the joy of discovery and collecting shells on the shoreline.

While the precise mechanics haven't been fully revealed yet, we can expect the author's signature touch: elegant rules that perfectly complement the naturalistic theme. The promised atmosphere is that of a quiet stroll on the beach, suggesting accessible gameplay, likely focused on set collection and non-punitive resource management.

An ever stronger trend

With Sanibel, Elizabeth Hargrave continues the trend of "cozy games" that's dominating the market, offering players a meditative alternative to high-tension competitive titles. We're eagerly awaiting the publisher and exact release date.

External source: https://elizabethhargrave.substack.com/p/january-2026-new-year-new-games