Welcome to People Behind the Meeples, a series of interviews with indie game designers. Here you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know about the people who make the best games that you may or may not have heard of before. If you'd like to be featured, head over to http://gjjgames.blogspot.com/p/game-designer-interview-questionnaire.html and fill out the questionnaire! You can find all the interviews here: People Behind the Meeples.
| Name: | Zachary Connelly |
|---|---|
| Email: | connelly.zach@gmail.com |
| Location: | New York, USA |
| Day Job: | Handyman |
| Designing: | Two to five years. |
| BGG: | Zachary Connelly |
| Facebook: | Royalngames |
| Twitter: | @Royalngames |
Zachary Connelly
Interviewed on: 8/24/2016 15:52:10
Zachary Connelly is another designer that has been very active in online game design forums. A few weeks ago he successfully funded his second Kickstarter campaign for a game called Deathbot Derby and has a number of other games in progress. Be sure to follow along with Zachary to find out what his next big hit will be!
Some Basics
Tell me a bit about yourself.
How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Two to five years.
Why did you start designing tabletop games?
As a handyman by trade, I take great joy in building things and making them work. As a gamer it's no different. The joy of building a game and making it work is just a satisfying accomplishment.
What game or games are you currently working on?
DeatBot Derby and LOTS!
Have you designed any games that have been published?
self published a game last year called Main Event: A Card Game Battle Royale
What is your day job?
Handyman
Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.
Where do you prefer to play games?
At home
Who do you normally game with?
My wife and friends
If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
Right now Blood Rage, Tavarua, or Gold Rush... But that could just be the cult of new talking.
And what snacks would you eat?
Coffee and Beer. My two favorite snacks ;)
Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
Not really maybe some ska
What’s your favorite FLGS?
The uncommons
What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
Current fav: Tavarua, really just love the execution of the theme.
What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Fav: programmable action/ movement Least: set collection
What styles of games do you play?
I like to play
Board Games, Card Games
Do you design different styles of games than what you play?
I like to design
Card Games
OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
It's an activity. If you enjoy it, have at it.
You as a Designer
OK, now the bit that sets you apart from the typical gamer. Let's find out about you as a game designer.
When you design games, do you come up with a theme first and build the mechanics around that? Or do you come up with mechanics and then add a theme? Or something else?
Theme first
Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
No
Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
Scott Almes
Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
Mostly while talking about games with friends.
How do you go about playtesting your games?
First get it to the table and have friends tell me what they like or didn't or what they would change. Then do blind playtesting. Once the game is where I want it I do final blind rules testing to make sure it makes sense.
Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
Alone but with others input
What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Making it out to more conventions to get more exposure
What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Hire an artist
What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Designing a game is like plumbing, a tight clean fit with the right pitch will flow nicely. Make sure there are no leaks.
Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Published games, I have:
Main Event /done out of print
Games that will soon be published are:
DeathBot Derby - just funded on Kickstarter
Currently looking for a publisher I have:
LOTS!
Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Yes
And the oddly personal, but harmless stuff…
OK, enough of the game stuff, let's find out what really makes you tick! These are the questions that I’m sure are on everyone’s minds!
Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Ska, fiction, comedy
What was the last book you read?
Ready player one
Do you play any musical instruments?
Tuba
Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I used to do musical theater
What would you do if you had a time machine?
Destroy it
Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert
If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Shazam
Have any pets?
Dogs
Thanks for answering all my crazy questions!
Thank you for reading this People Behind the Meeples indie game designer interview! You can find all the interviews here: People Behind the Meeples and if you'd like to be featured yourself, you can fill out the questionnaire here: http://gjjgames.blogspot.com/p/game-designer-interview-questionnaire.html
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