About us

About Us

We are a Swedish board game developer, publisher, & board game consultant agency. We believe in the potential of board games as social, educational and creative tools.

ION's vision is to design board games that both cover a broad range of subjects in history and natural science, and inspire a changed future. We want to be involved in creating real change, in an indirect and entertaining way

In our boardgames we value a link to reality/science/history, not only as a backdrop but also as a basis for game mechanic design. In our games we strive to achieve unscripted narrative experiences generated by the content and the players’ minds and interaction.

In line with our vision to spread the wonderful world of board gaming experience to as many as possible, we also have a segment about collaborations, ION Venture. We will from time to time work with potential projects alongside our main labels through consultancy in (board) game design and development of games.

Jon Manker
Jon Manker
Founder
Besime Uyanik
Besime Uyanik
CEO

 

Values & Responsibilities 

We believe games can change the world. Through play, we inspire understanding, compassion, and action, because the stories we tell and the choices we make today shape the future. At ION Game Design, we create with responsibility—for people, for the planet, and for the legacy we leave behind. We are committed to doing our part and hope to inspire you to do the same.

Sustainability is at the core of our work. We design games with long-lasting replayability, minimizing waste and environmental impact. Our manufacturing and shipping choices reflect our commitment to reducing our footprint, and we encourage our partners to join us in this effort. The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, threatening lives, ecosystems, and the very foundations of society. By acting sustainably, we take responsibility for the world we share with future generations.

Diversity and inclusion drive our team and our stories. We actively create opportunities for new arrivals, graduates, and those seeking work, and we are proud that women hold top leadership roles in our company. In our games, we showcase strong women and diverse identities, because representation matters—both at the table and in the world. We reject all forms of discrimination and racism, and we believe businesses must lead by example.

Our games explore history’s overlooked stories, offering a richer, more inclusive picture of humanity. Through play, we aim to build wisdom and understanding, because wisdom is our best defense against the horrors of genocide, extremism, and intolerance that still plague our world. By learning from the past, we can create a more just and compassionate future—and board games are a powerful way to do this.