People Behind the Meeples - Episode 241: Hameed Moore

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. Support me on Patreon!

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Name:	Hameed Moore
Email:	mooregames19@gmail.com
Location:	Norway
Day Job:	Student
Designing:	Two to five years.
Facebook:	Moore Games LLC
Twitter:	@MooreGamesLLC
Instagram:	@MooreGamesLLC
Other:	UnPub 9

Today's Interview is with:

Hameed Moore
Interviewed on: 7/16/2020

This week’s interview is with Hameed Moore, a designer working on his first game that will be making its way to Kickstarter this October. So keep your eye out for Vendarla, and read on to learn more about Hameed and his other projects.

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?
From new Lego designs to fantasy RPGs, I’ve always had a passion for designing stuff ever since I was kid. I really enjoy history and fantasy subjects and tabletop design gives me that platform to bring those subjects to life in a format of a game.

What game or games are you currently working on?
Press your luck (Vendarla), Worker placement, Co-op deck builder

Have you designed any games that have been published?
Not yet

What is your day job?
Student

Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.

Where do you prefer to play games?
In a house

Who do you normally game with?
Wife, family, and friends

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
If we have 7 people then 7 Wonders always! Less than 7, Orleans, Valeria Card/Villages, Mansions of Madness, Dice Forge, Terraforming Mars

And what snacks would you eat?
Chips and nuts

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
It depends on the theme of the game. If I was playing a civilization themed game then I would play music from a civilization soundtrack.

What’s your favorite FLGS?
Games Unlimited in Pittsburgh, PA and Outland in Bergen Norway

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
My favorite is 7 Wonders, Least favorite but still enjoy Dwarven Smithy, and worst game is Quests of Valeria

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Favorite is worker placement. Least is trick taking

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
I don't have that problem but if I have to pick one it would be Through the Ages.

What styles of games do you play?
I like to play Board Games, Card Games, Miniatures Games, RPG 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?
Mechanics first then the theme.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
No

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
No

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
From ancient history and fantasy works

How do you go about playtesting your games?
I set up private game nights for a selected group. Eventually I will take my prototype to any board game meetup events to find new testers.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
With a team, my wife is a UX designer so she helps me with some ideas and all of the design layout.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Marketing your game.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I would like to design a board game similar to World of Warcraft.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
How to market your games through social media and other platforms.

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Have fun and be open-minded to people's comments about your game.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
I'm planning to crowdfund: Vendarla - a competitive press your luck resource management game.
Games I feel are in the final development and tweaking stage are: Vendarla
Games that I'm playtesting are: Worker placement city building game
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are: Co-op deck builder adventure game
And games that are still in the very early idea phase are: Civilization style game

Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Yes, Board Game Reviewers & Media, BG Design Lab Community, BG Geek Crowdfunding Group, BG Revolution Community, BGG

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 Wars, Coke-zero, VHS

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Reading, PC gaming, traveling, and hiking

What is something you learned in the last week?
Getting people to subscribe to a newsletter early on in the process is really important.

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Favorite type of music - Classical Favorite type of books - Ancient history, medieval history, science-fiction/fantasy Favorite type of Movies - Historical, action, comedies, science-fiction/fantasy, romantic comedies

What was the last book you read?
Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell

Do you play any musical instruments?
No

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I can be shy at first

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Attended a random person's graduation party with some friends.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Can't think of anything

Who is your idol?
Roman Emperor Aurelian

What would you do if you had a time machine?
Visit the Roman Empire during its Pax Romana

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Introvert until I get to know the people

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Silver Surfer

Have any pets?
No

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 we can find a way to stop the next asteroid from hitting Earth. Board games will survive because we have been playing board games since the times of the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians.

Just a Bit More
Thanks for answering all my crazy questions! Is there anything else you'd like to tell my readers?

Game on!! I plan on launching the Kickstarter campaign for Vendarla in October 2020.

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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

Did you like this interview?  Please show your support: Support me on Patreon! Or click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

People Behind the Meeples - Episode 240: Sindri Levi

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. Support me on Patreon!

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Name:	Sindri Levi
Email:	sindri.design@gmail.com
Location:	Reykjavik, Iceland.
Day Job:	I am a college student, studying architecture. But designing Reckless Sloths has become like a day job to me during the summer.
Designing:	One to two years.
Webpage:	recklesssloths.com
Blog:	recklesssloths.com/blog
BGG:	Sindri_Levi
Facebook:	Sindri Leví Ingason
Twitter:	@RecklessSloths
YouTube:	Reckless Sloths
Instagram:	@reckless_sloths/
Find my games at:	I will be launching my first game on Kickstarter this fall!

Today's Interview is with:

Sindri Levi
Interviewed on: 7/18/2020

Sindri Levi is a designer from Iceland who has been working on the game Reckless Sloths, a card game about getting sloths out of silly situations. It should be on Kickstarter in October, so keep your eyes peeled for the game, or join the Reckless Sloths Facebook group to keep aprised of the game's development. Read on to learn more about Sindri!

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 have loved creating board games since I was a little kid. So my dream was always to publish one. It wasn't until I met my girlfriend, that I actually decided to do it. I had told her for over a year that I was going to do it soon, until she just told me to stop waiting and just do it!

What game or games are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a card game called Reckless Sloths.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
Not yet.

What is your day job?
I am a college student, studying architecture. But designing Reckless Sloths has become like a day job to me during the summer.

Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.

Where do you prefer to play games?
In my living room.

Who do you normally game with?
Usually with my girlfriend, but also with my family.

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I love settlers of Catan, I usually get very competitive playing it. Splendor and Ticket to ride are also favorites. However most of the time I love playing card games like Exploding Kittens, or Unstable Unicorns.

And what snacks would you eat?
Chocolate covered pretzels were the first thing that came to mind. But normally I'll eat anything :)

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I don't mind having music. I would choose some upbeat 80's songs, like "don't stop believing".

What’s your favorite FLGS?
Nexus (Reykjavik, Iceland)

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
My favorite has to be Catan. I don't particularly like Monopoly but I like holding large amounts of "money" in my hands. All games are good with good company. So I don't really have one.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Hand management maybe, I have a few. My least favorite is probably "memory", my girlfriend always destroys me.

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
I can't think of one.

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?
No

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?
This is the first game I have ever designed. So I can only speak for this one game. I first decided on basing around sloths. Then it sort of just came to me that the game should be about saving them from all sorts of wacky dangers. Then I built the mechanics around that idea.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
No.

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
Jamey stegmaier, I just love his analytical way of thinking. I have read through his whole kickstarter blog, as well as his book. His games are also great! I also like Elan Lee, creator of Exploding Kittens.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
The best ideas come to me when I'm driving in my car, or when I'm somewhere alone. I like writing every idea (good and bad ones) on a post-it note. Then I just throw them all into one pile and go over them later on.

How do you go about playtesting your games?
I invite my friends and family or go to a local gaming store.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
Usually alone, unless it's with someone who thinks in a similar way, like my girlfriend.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
I can't think of one. I love everything about making board games, from designing it to planning manufacturing.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I would LOVE to create a Crash Bandicoot board game!

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
It's the most fun ever!

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Don't be afraid to share your idea or progress with people. No one is going to steal your idea, odds are they're going to love it and support you.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
I'm planning to crowdfund: Reckless Sloths
Games I feel are in the final development and tweaking stage are: Reckless Sloths

Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Yup, all of them haha.

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 Wars. probably Coke, but I'll take either one, VHS.

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Running long distances, I am training for a marathon this summer. I love playing basketball as well. Travelling. Learning languages.

What is something you learned in the last week?
No goal is too big to achieve.

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
I love all upbeat 80's music. Spiritual and self-help books. I don't watch movies a lot anymore but my favorites are psychological-thrillers (Sixth sense, Inception, 2001: a space odyssey)

What was the last book you read?
The secret

Do you play any musical instruments?
No.

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I live in Iceland and I speak Lithuanian :D

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Shortly after me and my girlfriend started dating, she went on a trip with her parents to visit the rest of her family in Lithuania. She was going to be there for 30 days. However after 3 days of being apart I couldn't take it and bought a plane ticket to her. 5 days later I met her (on her birthday).

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Can't think of one :/

Who is your idol?
In basketball, Jimmy Butler. But I don't really have one.

What would you do if you had a time machine?
I wouldn't touch that thing! I would be too afraid of the consequences. Well... maybe I would travel to the future, just to see how everything turns out.

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
An introvert for sure. Although I'm not really shy anymore.

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Good question! Probably flash since I'm really into running lately :D

Have any pets?
Nope, but I will probably get a cat one day.

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 would want all games to survive :) Except for maybe all those versions monopoly (The original can maybe stay).

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):
A shout out to my whole family, thanks for all your support :)

Just a Bit More
Thanks for answering all my crazy questions! Is there anything else you'd like to tell my readers?

I would give anything for a pizza right now :/

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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

Did you like this interview?  Please show your support: Support me on Patreon! Or click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

Buds, Blooms, and Thorns Preview of Thalara: The Last Artifacts by Wredespiel

KICKSTARTER PREVIEW

Components and rules subject to change.

Disclaimer Support me on Patreon!

Vitals:
Title: Thalara: The Last Artifacts
Designed by: Alexander Wrede
Publisher: Wredespiel
Year Published: 2020

Kickstarter Price: $15-$24

2-4p | 20-30 min | 10+

Introduction:

I haven't been taking on many Kickstarter previews lately, but when I head about Thalara: The Last Artifact, I was intrigued. I'm not usually a huge fan of two-player dueling style games, but I do enjoy some.  Thalara's fast gameplay and interesting hand-building mechanic caught my attention.  And since we're in the middle of a pandemic, having a two-player game that I could play with my family seemed like a great choice.  So let's read on and see if this met my expectations or left me feeling disappointed.

In Thalara: The Last Artifacts you take on the role of a wizard/sorcerer/magician using the last few remnants of powerful magical energies to battle over the remaining magical artifacts.  Each player has a deck of remnant energy that can only be used once per game, however as you gain artifact energy the artifacts become permanent parts of your hand and return after each round.  The game continues until one player has a full hand of artifacts, or has run out of remnants to use.

Thalara: The Last Artifacts is available on Kickstarter right now!

Blooms:
Blooms are the game's highlights and features.  Elements that are exceptional.

• Fast Play
• Simple Rules
• Great Artwok
• Balanced, but unique assymetric character powers

Buds:
Buds are interesting parts of the game I would like to explore more. 

• I didn't get to play the 3-4 player version, but it sounds interesting.
• Several advanced characters add more complex gameplay.
• Play gets faster and more intense as players get to know their characters and opponents' playstyle.

Thorns:
Thorns are a game's shortcomings and any issues I feel are noteworthy.

• While the 3-4 player game seems interesting, I suspect it would be more chaotic and less tactical.
• Some characters feel unbalanced until you understand how to use their abilities effectively.

Final Thoughts:

I have to say that I really enjoyed Thalara: The Last Artifacts.  The 20-30 minute gametime is pretty accurate - our first games took about 40 minutes, but we got a lot faster as we got more comfortable with the game.  The gameplay is very simple, essentially using numerical power cards (remnants) from your personal deck, which is identical to your opponent's deck except for the card backs, to compete over three other cards.  If you are familiar with games like Smash Up or Ghosts Love Candy, you're familiar with this mechanic.  It's nothing special in itself, but brings about some interesting interactions and decisions.

Each round you create a hand of 7 energy cards, made up from a combination of Remnants and Artifacts.  You start with the same 20 Remnants as your opponents and can choose which of those to use each round, but as you gain permanent Artifacts your hand becomes more defined and you'll have fewer Remnant energy cards to add to it.  The Remnant energy is generally more powerful (with strength ranging from 1-5) whereas the Artifacts are less powerful (strengths from 0-3), but worth points at the end of the game (1-3 points).  This creates and interesting dynamic of deciding when to splurge with your high-energy Remnant cards, even though that might mean winning a lower-energy Artifact.  

The tug-of-war aspect as you battle over the available Artifacts is interesting enough, but it's the character abilities that really make the game shine.  Each character in the game has a set of four spells that they can use each round.  In order to use a spell you must first play an energy card to a conflict, then you can add a spell to a conflict that has the required types of energy in it.  There are five types of energy (denoted by colors and iconography) and spells require one to three specific types of energy to be used in a conflict to cast a spell.  It's the spells that elevate the game beyond just a bluffing/deduction game of combat.  Each of the characters' spells are very unique, yet thematic for each character.  

Myrja, the Fire Amazon, has a collection of spells that destroy energy.  Canto, the Bansinger, has spells that might be considered "artistic" or that have a lot of flare.  Kandhran, the Leader of Albren, casts spells that are pure brute strength, and Accaina, the Time Traveler, has spells that manipulate your hand and the battlefield.  Each of these, as well as the other characters in the game, have very unique playstyles.  They take some time to learn and get comfortable with, but they all seem balanced, interesting, and unique.

I really enjoyed playing Thalara: The Last Artifacts, and feel like it's relatively small form factor, fast play time, and simple gameplay that still offers good depth, make it a winner - a Bloom game for sure!  It'll be a great two-player filler, and could even be fun with three or four players, though that seems like it's be more chaotic.  You can find Thalara: The Last Artifacts on Kickstarter right now for $15-$24 (depending on if you want the full set for four-players or just the two-player set).  For that price, I think this would be a great addition to anyone's collection, especially if you do like two-player games that really feel like a battle of wits against your opponents.  

Buds, Blooms, and Thorns Rating:

Bloom!  This game is great and worth
adding to your collection!  It should be
on just about every gamer's shelf. 

Pictures:

Did you like this review?  Show your support: Support me on Patreon! Also, click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

GJJ Games Reviews are independent, unpaid reviews of games I, George Jaros, have played with my family and friends.  Some of these games I own, some are owned by friends, some are borrowed, and some were provided by a publisher or designer for my honest feedback and evaluation.  I make every attempt to be both honest and constructively critical in my reviews, and they are all my opinions.  There are four types of reviews on GJJ Games: Full Reviews feature critical reviews based on a rubric and games receive a rating from 0 to 100.  Quick Reviews and Kickstarter Previews are either shorter reviews of published games or detailed preview reviews of crowdfunding games that will receive a rating from 0 to 10 based on my impressions of the game.  Buds, Blooms,and Thorns reviews are shorter reviews of either published or upcoming games that highlight three aspects of a game: Buds are parts of a game I look forward to exploring more, Blooms are outstanding features of a game, and Thorns are shortcomings of a game.  Each BBT review game will receive an overall rating of Thorn, Bud, or Bloom.

Press Release: FIVE24 LABS REBRANDS TO POKETTO

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FIVE24 LABS REBRANDS TO POKETTO

"We are elated to present a new brand identity that represents the vibrant and dynamic nature of our products."

- Rachael Blaske, CEO  

Five24Labs, publisher of the Mint Series (Mint Works, Mint Delivery, etc.) is excited to announce their new name and brand identity.

The new Poketto brand maintains the company's focus on fun, portable games, while opening the door for new products outside the Mint Series branding and design structure. The new branding showcases how our games are easy to travel with and how they take gamers on a journey by providing big gameplay in small packages.

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Did you like this press release?  Show your support: Support me on Patreon! Also, click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

People Behind the Meeples- Episode 239: Jon Vallerand

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. Support me on Patreon!

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Name:	Jon Vallerand
Email:	jovallerand@gmail.com
Location:	Montreal, Canada
Day Job:	I work as a department coordinator in an IT consultancy firm.
Designing:	Five to ten years.
Webpage:	subsurfacegames.ca
Blog:	subsurfacegames.ca
BGG:	jvallerand
Facebook:	Subsurface Games
Twitter:	@jvdesignsgames
Instagram:	@games_subsurface
Find my games at:	subsurfacegames.ca

Today's Interview is with:

Jon Vallerand
Interviewed on: 7/16/2020

In this interview we meet Jon Vallerand, designer of With a Smile & a Gun, which is currently funded on Kickstarter and reaching for a few stretch goals before the campaign wraps up at the end of this week. Read on to learn more about Jon and his many other projects.

Some Basics
Tell me a bit about yourself.

How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Five to ten years.

Why did you start designing tabletop games?
I've always turned every hobby I got into in a creative endeavour: I've tried writing fantasy stories, then poetry, than graphic novels, then movies, then standup, then making an RPG. With board games, it felt more like I was in the right place, like it's the kind of things my brain just groks.

What game or games are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a coop dice drafting game about superheroes trying to gain the public's appreciation; a trick taking game about running a PR firm; a set collection card game about journalism; and a worker placement/time track game about running an art gallery.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
My game With a Smile & a Gun is currently on Kickstarter (up to August 14)!

What is your day job?
I work as a department coordinator in an IT consultancy firm.

Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.

Where do you prefer to play games?
In my basement!

Who do you normally game with?
I have two game groups which, pre-Covid, used to meet weekly, and I play a weekly game of Arkham Horror LCG with my brother.

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
These days I really want to play Power Grid! It's one of the best games that doesn't have a satisfying online version, and I haven't played it in too long!

And what snacks would you eat?
I'm not much of a snacker during game time, but I'd definitely be drinking a LOT of coffee.

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I don't. I don't mind instrumental music, but to be honest, I'd rather be in a quiet room. I feel like they encourage discussion, and also make it easier to focus.

What’s your favorite FLGS?
It's called Imaginius. They organize a lot of cool events to grow the local community and do a great job of it!

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
My favorite is Arkham Horror LCG, which is interesting because it's so far out of the type of games I usually enjoy. My least favorite game that I'd still play is Wazabi. It's a sushi-themed game with a Scrabble-like tile laying mechanism. I don't like it much, but my partner does!

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
My favorite mechanism is engine building, especially card based stuff. I love the feeling of going from "I'll take 2 coins and a point" to "I'll take 8 coins, which gives me 6 wood, which I can then turn into a castle...". My least favorite mechanism is probably rolling for success. I hate the feeling of building up to your action, and potentially coming up empty because you were unlucky. I don't mind randomness changing my plans, but I mind it when it means I do nothing on my turn.

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Power Struggle. It's an awesome area majority game with a brilliant bribery mechanism, but it really requires a very specific type of people to enjoy it.

What styles of games do you play?
I like to play Board Games, Card Games, RPG 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?
No

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?
I am usually inspired by mechanisms, but my designs are then driven by moments. Whether I come from theme or mechanisms, I try to ask myself "what intense, memorable moments can arise from this", and then design towards those.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
I've entered a few, and the feedback I got was worth its weight in gold.

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
I really look up to Phil Walker Harding, who keeps on making games with simple rulesets, yet which can be played and enjoyed at many different levels of expertise.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
By playing other games, by reading about other fields or creative disciplines.

How do you go about playtesting your games?
There are a few local design groups I like to take part in, and I am also fortunate enough to have several dedicated playtesters around me.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I like both. My first finished design was a co-design, and I would never have gotten past the early stages without a co-designer for that added accountability. That being said, I feel like co-designs have both a higher ceiling and a lower floor: working in a team that's a poor fit is terrible. That being said, even on solo designs, I usually try and get one of my playtesters into a special "lead" role, get them to an expert level at the game so I have someone to bounce ideas off of as well. As part of self-publishing With a Smile & a Gun, I've worked with multiple people --artist, graphic designer, rules editor, solo designer--, and it's been a blast to share that project with others.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Lack of time? Between family and work, there isn't a lot of time, or more accurately a lot of energy, left for design.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
Fast and Furious. I want to make a game that captures both the progression from TV thief to superhero, and the ridiculously over-the-top physics breaking action.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
To ensure the core engine of the game works before spending time on creating more content for it.

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Network. Talk to other designers, to other gamers, get your game out there. If you go to a convention, don't just schedule pitch meetings and go to your room in between them: hang out, talk to people. Not only will it make your design career go so much faster, but the people are the best reason to get into board games.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Games that will soon be published are: Cartographia (working title)
This is what I have currently crowdfunding: With a Smile & a Gun, a 2-player dice drafting, area majority game set in a noir Prohibition era
Currently looking for a publisher I have: Art Traders, a one-way street worker placement game about running an art gallery Off the Record, a set collection card game about being a beat journalist
Games that I'm playtesting are: SuPR (working title), a game about superheroes who want the public to like them
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are: An old PR trick (working title), a trick taking game about a PR firm
And games that are still in the very early idea phase are: Too many to list!

Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Most of them!

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?
Firefly, Perrier, Netflix

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
There are other hobbies? I love NBA basketball and reading about psychology, especially behavioural science.

What is something you learned in the last week?
That you can add emojis on PC by pressing Wn + .

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
90s rock, YA fantasy, and the Fast and Furious franchise, after they became superheroes

What was the last book you read?
A Conjuring of Light, the 3rd book in the Darker Shade of Magic series

Do you play any musical instruments?
No! I once took a music class where I was demoted to clapping, and asked not to do it loud enough that others would hear.

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I don't remember colours. Unless someone says it, in which case I remember the word, my memory doesn't store that information for some reason!

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
I quit my stable teaching job for an entry-level position in IT, a field in which I had zero experience and even less training.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
I broke my ankle and had to stop playing football. While not awesome, I'm not sure I would have gotten through college while playing.

Who is your idol?
My partner. She has this desire to help others, and the ability to emotionally separate her stuff from theirs.

What would you do if you had a time machine?
Probably go back and tell young me that what they think matters doesn't, and that some stuff they don't think of does.

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
I think I'm a semi-extrovert. If there's no extrovert in a group, I'll take that mantle, but if somebody else is enjoying the spotlight, I'm okay letting them have it.

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Nightcrawler. I think teleportation is the most useful superpower there is.

Have any pets?
2 cats

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 the Fast and Furious movies survive, except for Tokyo Drift. That one can be forgotten.

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):
Sure! I'd like to tell the person who is currently reading this -- yes, you!--, that they rock!

Just a Bit More
Thanks for answering all my crazy questions! Is there anything else you'd like to tell my readers?

Black lives matter. Trans lives matter. The planet is dying. Wear a mask.

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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

Did you like this interview?  Please show your support: Support me on Patreon! Or click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

People Behind the Meeples - Episode 238: Jim Kavanaugh

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. Support me on Patreon!

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Name:	Jim Kavanaugh
Location:	New Jersey
Day Job:	I work in sales and marketing within the flavor and fragrance industry.
Designing:	Five to ten years.
Webpage:	azurehorizongames.com
BGG:	AzureHorizon
Facebook:	Azure Horizon Games
Twitter:	@AzureHorizonGMS
Other:	https://www.indiegamealliance.com/members/member.php?id=3857
Find my games at:	Kleos is on TTS and on Kickstarter

Today's Interview is with:

Jim Kavanaugh
Interviewed on: 7/19/2020

Jim Kavanaugh has been designing games ever since he was a kid, but just started taking his hobby seriously. Now he has his first game on Kickstarter. Kleos is already funded and working on stretch goals, so be sure to check it out today!

Some Basics
Tell me a bit about yourself.

How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Five to ten years.

Why did you start designing tabletop games?
I've always had a passion for creating games and game content. In middle school and high school I used to design new D&D classes and alternate rule-sets for games like Magic: the Gathering.

Somewhere around the age of 16, I created my first game. It was a pen and paper rpg that allowed you to play as a mech pilot (Gundam style), with a system that allowed you to act as the pilot outside as well as inside the mech. My friends and I ran a campaign lasting 6 months and it was an absolute blast!

I created a couple of games in my 20's for fun and made expansions/alternate rule-sets for other games I loved. In my early 30's I decided to make game design a serious hobby. I am in the process of taking my first project to Kickstarter.

What game or games are you currently working on?
Kleos launched on Kickstarter on Tuesday, July 21. You play as a Greek god competing to become the patron god of a rising Greek city-state. It combines the card play of your favorite collectible card games, with action management and a 'troops on a map' board game. The theme is built into every aspect of the game, with beautiful art, and stream-lined gameplay.

I have a couple other projects on the backburner. One is a quick play mint tin card game tentatively named "Chronoseum," where you play as different tropes from across time and realities, all pulled into an inter-dimensional Roman-style coliseum for the amusement of a superior race.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
Not yet, but Kleos will be the first!

What is your day job?
I work in sales and marketing within the flavor and fragrance industry.

Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.

Where do you prefer to play games?
At my house or a friend's house. A relaxed atmosphere with friends.

Who do you normally game with?
A wide variety of people at the moment. The Kleos community has weekly games, and I love playing games that others are developing on TTS. With the recent lockdowns, I play a lot on TTS at the moment. It is so amazing to play with people from around the world, and try new games that others are working on that I never would have seen before publication otherwise. Also played through the entire Gloomhaven campaign with a friend via Skype during lockdowns.

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I typically have regular game days with friends. Most recently we played a couple games of Marvel Champions, which is a lot of fun. Typically we start with a light, fast entry game like King of Tokyo, and then get into the mid-weight/heavier games which could include Arkham Horror, Mansions of Madness, Sentinels of the Multiverse, Dark Souls, Inis, and a wide variety of other games. My choices at the moment would be Legends of Novus, Marvel Champions, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion.

And what snacks would you eat?
Pretzels and cool ranch doritos!

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
We typically don't listen to music, but the LOTR soundtrack and Castlevania music could work well.

What’s your favorite FLGS?
Fantasy Games in Mahwah NJ

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
At the moment, Gloomhaven and Clank Legacy are my favorites. I really enjoyed playing through the campaign of each.

My least favorite game that I still enjoy...that's tough...at the moment it might be Magic: the Gathering! Mostly because I have played a lot of it over the years and enjoy trying new things.

The worst game I ever played was a mech-based Kickstarter game I backed several years ago. It seemed very cool and was what I always wanted in a mech game, but it was horribly unbalanced and the decisions did not really matter. There was only one viable strategy.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
I would say that games with action/resource management are among my favorites. You generally have multiple ways to win and a variety of strategies to employ. I also love 'take that' style games. I am not typically a fan of most traditional Euro games, though there are exceptions!

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Scythe (one of the Euro exceptions...)

What styles of games do you play?
I like to play Board Games, Card Games, Miniatures Games, Video Games

Do you design different styles of games than what you play?
I like to design Board Games, Card Games, Miniatures Games

OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
Not for more than an hour and not that often!

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?
I tend to work off the theme and having the mechanics make sense thematically is very important to me. I typically build the game up, making it more and more complicated, and then strip away all the unnecessary elements to make it stream-lined and only keep the key features.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
I entered the BGDL Annual Competition this year and made the second round. That was the first contest I ever entered.

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
I admire what Isaac Childres did with Gloomhaven. There was so much amazing content in that game and so many cool surprises as well! Gabe Barrett as well for everything he has done for the design community.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
Immersing myself in the theme and related source material, or going for a walk in nature.

How do you go about playtesting your games?
Get it on a table as soon as possible, see what breaks, see what's fun...maximize the fun and fix the issues. I usually test it myself first, then with close friends, then with strangers. Sometimes you may only test a single turn or mechanism rather than a full game.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I work alone, but it is important to work within a community. You can get so much amazing feedback from groups like BGDL and Board Game Revolution Community on Facebook. It's especially great to have community support that covers your weaknesses and blind spots...which we all have! I have been working with the artist for Kleos for 2.5 years now. I also work with a graphic design team, and have a great online community that offers feedback and ideas to make the game better.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Writing rulebooks! It took probably a hundred iterations or more over the course of 1.5 years to have the rulebook in a near final state. I am happy with where it is now, but wow...it was very challenging!

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
Castlevania would be very fun! Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms would be as well. I am a big RA Salvatore fan.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Engage with a community early on. It will accelerate your learning and provide support when needed. Also, then you can share your knowledge as you learn, and it will give you new ideas and inspirations.

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
It is very rewarding and a lot of fun! If you are considering board game design as a hobby, the hardest part is getting started. The only way to get started is by making games! Come up with an idea, make your first prototype, and play it. Play it with others, don't be afraid to share your ideas. Your first game will probably be bad and that's okay! You will improve it over time, or learn something that you can use to make better games in the future. Accomplished designers may only take 1/10 of their prototypes to show publishers or bring to the market. Each game you make will get better, and the main thing is to have fun in the process.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
This is what I have currently crowdfunding: Kleos launched on Kickstarter Tuesday July 21. It is my first game going to publication by my company, Azure Horizon Games. To learn more, feel free to visit https://kleosboardgame.com.
Games that I'm playtesting are: The first expansion to Kleos. : )
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are: Working Title: "Chronoseum" - a simple mint tin card game where you play as a warrior from anywhere in space and time and battle other warriors. Think Roman Gladiator v. Ninja v. Sorceror v. Werewolf. You equip yourself for combat, upgrade your items and beat each other down!

Barbarian Kingdoms of the Frozen North - You play as a barbarian clan in the frozen tundra, trying to survive the harsh wilderness and bring prosperity to your clan. It is a dice drafting and management game. You hunt monsters, and as you level up and kill them, you get new dice. You choose which dice in your pool are active. When dice are rolled, you combine their results to use powers and abilities specific to your class and equipment.
And games that are still in the very early idea phase are: A Metroid-vania style board game where you traverse unknown rooms to find treasure and take down the main boss.

Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Board Game Design Lab

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 Wars, Pepsi, VHS

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Indoor rock climbing, tennis, reading

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Fantasy and sci-fi fiction books. The Red Rising series, Name of the Wind, and the Legend of Drizzt series are among my favorites.

What was the last book you read?
Iron Gold

Do you play any musical instruments?
Nope

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
I went cage-less scuba diving with a tiger shark in the wild.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Made a last minute decision to go with a friend to someone's birthday party I didn't know too well, and ended up marrying the birthday girl 5 years later!

Who is your idol?
Roger Federer - I admire his class and composure in both victory and defeat, and how much of his time he dedicates to charitable causes.

What would you do if you had a time machine?
Get me a dinosaur egg, bet on some sports and then invest the money in a long-term interest account to collect in the future.

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Yes

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Thor seems to have it pretty good!

Have any pets?
Yep, two kitties - Jace and Aria

Thanks for answering all my crazy questions!

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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

Did you like this interview?  Please show your support: Support me on Patreon! Or click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.