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.
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| Name: | Anthony T Riddick |
|---|---|
| Email: | atyrone30@gmail.com |
| Location: | Washington, DC USA |
| Day Job: | Truck driver |
| Designing: | One to two years. |
| Webpage: | www.quietstormgames.com |
| Blog: | www.quietstormgames.com |
| Facebook: | ATR Designs |
| YouTube: | AntMan6791 |
| Instagram: | @atr-designs |
| Find my games at: | I post print and play options on my site www.quietstormgames.com |
Anthony T Riddick
Interviewed on: 1/11/2019
This week we get to meet Anthony T. Riddick, and artist and game designer who has only been designing games for a bit over a year, but has quite an impressive collection lined up already. To learn more about Anthony and Quiet Storm Games, read on!
Some Basics
Tell me a bit about yourself.
How long have you been designing tabletop games?
One to two years.
Why did you start designing tabletop games?
I've always been an artist and love to express myself in many forms. I decided to create a boardgame for my family for Christmas 2017. They all loved it and from that point I got into board game design.
What game or games are you currently working on?
I have 3 full prototype board games finished. I am currently working on a card game with a little educational element for young kids but anyone can enjoy.
Have you designed any games that have been published?
No
What is your day job?
Truck driver
Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.
Where do you prefer to play games?
Home and or friend's home
Who do you normally game with?
Family and friends
If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I would like to try anything new that I have but also open to anything
And what snacks would you eat?
Chips and possibly pizza.
Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
Not so much. Might get a little distracting
What’s your favorite FLGS?
Labyrinth Games in Washington DC
What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
Current favorite is Star Realms. My least favorite is probably Monopoly and I don't believe there is a worst game I've played. Maybe a few mobile games.
What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Dice roll. I love the randomness
What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Hard to say right now. I have plenty favorites but no problem in playing them.
What styles of games do you play?
I like to play
Board Games, Card Games, Video Games
Do you design different styles of games than what you play?
I like to design
Board Games, Card Games
OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
Yes
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?
Its vice versa but I try to stick with a theme first or just follow my imagination.
Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
I have recently entered my first one. SaltCon 2019 in Utah
Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
No not really
Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
I take inspiration anything. I've been an artist since I was 6 years old so creativity is no issue.
How do you go about playtesting your games?
I usually ask family and friends to try first. They have no issue pointing out any flaws.
Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I usually work alone but I go to my best friend Bobbie for any suggestions she may have.
What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Promoting has always been my biggest challenge.
If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I can't give an answer right now
What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
That designing is the easy part. Publishing is a hard game all in itself.
What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Never be afraid of doing something you enjoy even if its been done before. You can always add your own twist to something. No one owns a game mechanic. Also create something you yourself would enjoy.
Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
I'm planning to crowdfund:
Twist of Life: Out of Your Control, Crash Fury
Games I feel are in the final development and tweaking stage are:
Takedown, 1 Up Double Up
Games that I'm playtesting are:
1Up Double Up
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are:
Maze Master
Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Yes I'm a member of a few Facebook groups for game design. Break my game, art and boardgame design, game design speed dating for example
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!
Star Trek or Star Wars? Coke or Pepsi? VHS or Betamax?
Star trek, coke and VHS
What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Working on my jeep, off roading, learning to rock climb
What is something you learned in the last week?
California gets a lot more snow than I thought
Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Pop, rock and r&b, Harry Potter is my favorite movie and book
What was the last book you read?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Do you play any musical instruments?
No but I still want to learn
Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I've been hit by a car 3 times but never any major injuries. One incident was on mother's day by a car my mom was in.
Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
When I was a kid I rolled across a busy street four times one night
Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
March 2018 my 94 Ford explorer flipped over while crossing a bridge. Declared totaled. Afterwards my next and current vehicle is a a 2 door lifted Jeep Wrangler. My dream vehicle. Never thought I would own one.
Who is your idol?
Honestly my mother has always been my biggest idol. She has always been a person I can look up to and learn from.
What would you do if you had a time machine?
Travel back in time to prevent the titanic from sinking but then the 1997 movie wouldn't exist.
Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Introvert
If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Superman
Have any pets?
Yes a cat named Lucky
When the next asteroid hits Earth, causing the Yellowstone caldera to explode, California to fall into the ocean, the sea levels to rise, and the next ice age to set in, what current games or other pastimes do you think (or hope) will survive into the next era of human civilization? What do you hope is underneath that asteroid to be wiped out of the human consciousness forever?
I hope my games survive of course in addition to Star Realms and red 7. Maybe Twister too because it was fun growing up and the God of War video games. Uno and monopoly can disappear.
If you’d like to send a shout out to anyone, anyone at all, here’s your chance (I can’t guarantee they’ll read this though):
Special thanks to all that have supported me and all who will. Fans do make q difference.
Just a Bit More
Thanks for answering all my crazy questions! Is there anything else you'd like to tell my readers?
Art is my life and bringing joy to others with is my goal
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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