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!
| Name: | Wout Veranneman |
|---|---|
| Email: | wveranneman@gmail.com - will change to our professional address in the next few months. |
| Location: | Belgium |
| Day Job: | I'm a financial advisor. My business partner is a web designer. |
| Designing: | Less than six months. |
| Webpage: | www.fatdwarfgames.eu - coming soon! |
| Blog: | Will be on the site. |
| Facebook: | Not up yet, but will be. Fatdwarfgames |
| Twitter: | Not yet |
| Instagram: | Not yet but will be @Fatdwarfgames. |
| Find my games at: | Nowhere yet. |
Wout Veranneman is a newcomer to the board game design community, but he has big ambitions! He's working on a game called Portal and has a bunch of other ideas that he hopes to publish with his partner someday soon. Keep your eyes peeled for Fat Dwarf Games coming to social media soon, and read on to learn more about Wout and his projects.
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!
| Name: | Alfie Dennen |
|---|---|
| Email: | alfie@evilcorpgame.com |
| Location: | London |
| Day Job: | I look after the digital product side of a startup which focuses on coaching product leaders. It's great, designing products is much like designing games - it's all about the end user at the end of the day. |
| Designing: | Two to five years. |
| Webpage: | evilcorpgame.com |
| BGG: | Evil Corp |
| Facebook: | Evil Corp Games |
| Twitter: | @evilcorpgame |
| YouTube: | Evil Corp: The Boardgame |
| Instagram: | @evilcorpgame |
| Find my games at: | https://evilcorpgame.com |
We have another week with two interviews! Today we get to meet Alfie Dennen, part of the team that brings you Evil Corp: The Boardgame. As both a game and social commentary, Evil Corp aims to be a title to make you think while you have fun. Read on to learn more about Alfie, Evil Corp, and his other projects!
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!
| Name: | Mads Fløe |
|---|---|
| Location: | Denmark |
| Day Job: | I work at a board game café, doing just about everything you can imagine, besides serving, cleaning or book keeping. I make sure the games are in good shape, I choose which new games are added and which go on the "for sale" shelves, I make graphic designs such as the menus, posters etc. and I manage the social feeds, help with marketing and events etc. |
| Designing: | Over ten years! |
| BGG: | Mads Floe |
| Facebook: | Mads Floe |
This week we get to meet designer Mads Fløe, who has designed a bunch of games, a few of which have been published or signed! His latest titles should be coming out this year and next from AEG, White Goblin Games, Black Box Adventures, and Crafty Games, so keep your eye out for those! Read on to learn more about Mads and his current projects.
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LEX ARCANA RETURNS TO KICKSTARTER
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qualitygames/lex-arcana-dacia-and-thracia-and-italia
It is the twilight of the V century a.D., thirteen centuries since the foundation of Rome.
The Roman Empire did not fall as the Eternal City, in this alternate timeline, used her Haruspices, scholars and oracles to survive the chain of events that led her version from our world to ruin.
Stability and economic growth brought serenity and wealth to the people of Rome and many others even beyond Imperial borders are considered citizens of the Urbs, protected by the invulnerable Pax Romana. However, mighty and invincible legions and divination magics are not enough to protect the Empire anymore. Ancient demons, dark magic, sorcery and monsters from forgotten depths, all conspire to bring Rome down.
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!
| Name: | David McCord |
|---|---|
| Email: | newventuregames@gmail.com |
| Location: | Ionia, Michigan, USA |
| Day Job: | Graphic Designer |
| Designing: | Over ten years! |
| Webpage: | www.NewVentureGames.com and www.dmccord.com |
| BGG: | Daibhre |
| Facebook: | New Venture Games |
| YouTube: | https://www.youtube.com/user/daibhre (soon "NewVentureGames" too) |
| Other: | BGDF, IGA, just beginning to dabble in Discord. |
| Find my games at: | The Game Crafter and Red Hen Toys - some are on Amazon but hard to find. |
This week we get to meet long-time designer, David McCord. David has a number of published games to his name, and a ton more in the works. Right now he's running a Kickstarter for his latest game, Mining Mars, so be sure to check it out! Read on to learn more about David and his variety of projects.
How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Over ten years!
What game or games are you currently working on?
"Mining Mars" (and about a dozen others)
Have you designed any games that have been published?
Yes
What is your day job?
Graphic Designer
Where do you prefer to play games?
Indoors, within a half hour of home.
Who do you normally game with?
Aside from myself, and under "normal" circumstances, there is a local game group.
If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
Ticket to Ride, Splendor, 7 Wonders, Castle Panic, Takenoko, Dixit, The Captain is Dead... so many more...
And what snacks would you eat?
Generally stuff with cheese, and Vernors.
Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
Not usually, but if so, something unobtrusive... instrumental music.
What’s your favorite FLGS?
Rookies in Lowell, Mich.
What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
Endangered; Fluxx; Snake Dance (but my grandkids love it).
What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Resource Management; games with physically acting-out stupid challenges.
What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Ubi - or Amuse-Amaze
What styles of games do you play?
I like to play
Board Games, Card Games, Other Games
Do you design different styles of games than what you play?
I like to design
Board Games, Card Games, Other Games
OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
No
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?
Usually the theme, but a specific aspect, challenge, or relationship within the theme.
Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
Yes and yes. A Game Crafter 24-hour Design Challenge at GrandCon in 2015.
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?
Usually ideas come to me just as I'm drifting off to sleep, or waking up.
How do you go about playtesting your games?
Myself, my family, my game group, contacts through Facebook groups. Recently starting to generate Print-n-Play and Tabletopia versions of prototypes, and hope to playtest that way in the future.
Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
Just me, but my son is my primary "sounding board" for ideas.
If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
Bone by Jeff Smith. Or the James Blish "Cities in Flight" series.
What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Find a collaborator that loves the business & marketing side. (I do not.)
What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Study games of all kinds and all ages for ideas and perspective and inspiration.
Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Published games, I have:
CardBoard; Tesla: Master of Lightning; Battlefield:Medieval; Battlefield: American Civil War; Battlefield: Space; Victor or Victim?; Stones; Apex - Escape from the Apes; Over the Edge; Bonnets, Bustles, and Boots; Sancti et Malum; Causeway; Master of Worlds; and others...
Games that will soon be published are:
Mining Mars; Piracy; Hugs & Bugs; Witch's Wares; Beggar's Banquet; Baron's Bridge; Bohemian Bards; Tower of the Winds; Pursuit of Progress; Just a Matter of Time; Gee Haw; Roots and Rhizomes; Rhombus; and others...
Currently crowdfunding:
Mining Mars
Games I feel are in the final development and tweaking stage are:
The list is maybe a dozen games... see above.
Games that I'm playtesting are:
The list is maybe six games... see above.
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are:
THIS list is even longer!
And games that are still in the very early idea phase are:
And there are dozens of ideas in this list, too.
Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Yes... quite a few, actually. Hard to keep up with it all.
Star Trek or Star Wars? Coke or Pepsi? VHS or Betamax?
Star Trek; used to be Coke, but I gave it up (for Vernors), VHS
What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Music, Art, History, Woodworking, Scouting, Costuming
What is something you learned in the last week?
How to use OBS video software, and a former co-worker has opened a furniture store!
Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Music: Depends on my mood, but prolly '70s "folk rock"; Books: History or Biography; Movies: Almost anything before 1950, plus Superheroes and "intellectual" Science Fiction (makes ya think).
What was the last book you read?
"The Botanist" - a crime story by a friend of mine. (Not very good, actually.)
Do you play any musical instruments?
Yup: Guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, and a few others.
Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I have never drunk any alcoholic beverage (more than a sip to see why), taken any sort of recreational drugs, used any form of tobacco (except for one weekend in Junior High), and very, very rarely use "foul language".
Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Oh, man... that's a long list, too. There was this one time...
Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Good question... Maybe falling in love with the right woman. Didn't mean to, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
Who is your idol?
R. Buckminster Fuller
What would you do if you had a time machine?
Seriously, I would probably destroy it. Far too risky.
Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert.
If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Jim Hensen. (This is a little facetious, but he's dead anyway, so...)
Have any pets?
Nope.
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?
(A) Art (visual and audible) (but there will always be games.)
(B) Politics and Greed (yeah, right)
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):
Scott Bultman of Red Hen Toys - my project collaborator helping to bring my game designs to reality.
Think globally; Act locally. Make love, not war.
, like GJJ Games on Facebook 
, or follow on Twitter 
. And be sure to check out my games on Tabletop Generation.
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!
| Name: | Chris Williams |
|---|---|
| Email: | alrightgamerchris@gmail.com |
| Location: | Volga, SD |
| Day Job: | I am a banking compliance officer. My love for reading board game rules is what actually led me to a job in compliance, where I get to comb through regulations. |
| Designing: | Five to ten years. |
| Webpage: | https://alrightgames.com/ |
| Facebook: | Alright Games |
| Twitter: | @AlrightGamer |
| YouTube: | Alright Games |
| Instagram: | @alrightgames |
| Other: | The Game Crafter: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/alright-games |
| Find my games at: | The Game Crafter https://www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/alright-games |
This week I’m happy to introduce you to Chris Williams, a member of The Game Crafter’s design community. Chris has designed a number of great games, available on The Game Crafter, including the amazing Trace the Stars (which was recently picked up for publication by 25th Century Games) and the currently crowdfunding 1-2 Punch. Read on to learn more about Chris and his projects.
How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Five to ten years.
Why did you start designing tabletop games?
I started working for an educational video game design startup and was introduced to modern board gaming around the same time. This inspired me to make a board game version of one of the games we were working on and my passion only grew from there. Eventually, the startup shut down but I still wanted to make board games, so I started Alright Games.
What game or games are you currently working on?
I have learned that my favorite type of games to design are 2-player strategy games. So, for 2021, I am focusing on finishing and releasing 3 of them that are already very close to being ready. This includes 1-2 Punch (a boxing card game with action planning), Animal Firm (formerly Lobby Mintcala, a character-driven Mancala-inspired game), and Dark Spires (an abstract game with a chess-like feel).
Have you designed any games that have been published?
I just recently signed my roll-n-write, Trace the Stars, to a publisher and am excited for its release. I also currently have one game I self-published on The Game Crafter called Kickflip. When I worked for that startup, we self-published a game on The Game Crafter called To Make a Dollar, but it is no longer available for purchase.
What is your day job?
I am a banking compliance officer. My love for reading board game rules is what actually led me to a job in compliance, where I get to comb through regulations.
Where do you prefer to play games?
At home with friends. I love hosting game nights.
Who do you normally game with?
I have a couple of small friend groups that are my go-to gamers, but I have also recently been making some more friends online that I game with using TableTop Simulator.
If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I really like learning new games and have a ton in my collection that I have yet to play. Santa Monica, Holding On, Bargain Quest, and Fort are a few on my list to play.
And what snacks would you eat?
I tend to forget to eat when I’m gaming.
Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I love finding some thematic background music. I will usually just find a video game soundtrack that fits the theme. Like Dark Souls for fantasy or Mass Effect for sci-fi. If it’s Wingspan, I just turn on bird noises.
What’s your favorite FLGS?
Brost’s Aquarium and Hobby in Brookings, SD. I typically stop in every Friday when he gets in new games.
What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
My favorite game might be a tie between Splendor and Tiny Epic Galaxy. Least favorite that I still enjoy is Pokemon Master Trainer. And worst game would actually have to be Catan. I know it’s a classic, but I just really don’t like it.
What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
I love dice chucking and choosing how to allocate those dice. I also love push-your-luck. In my own designs, I really like using a circle of cards as a sort of map. For least favorite, I’m not really a fan of drafting. While I think there are games that it works really well in, Inis being one of my favorites, it usually just feels like it would have just been as easy and nearly as effective as randomly drawing cards. This is typically due to me not playing games more than a couple of times, which means I don’t have enough information or knowledge to go on to feel like I’m making an informed decision.
What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Root. I have only played it once and I loved everything about it. The gameplay, the art, and the characters are all amazing, but the nature of an asymmetric game makes them difficult to teach.
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
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?
It’s kind of a mix of the two for me. I typically have a small idea of a core mechanic and then I then figure out a theme that fits, which I use as inspiration for the rest of the mechanics.
Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
I have entered a few contests and my game, Trace the Stars, is currently a finalist in The Game Crafter’s Roll and Write contest.
Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
Jamey Stegmaier. His games are so well thought out and he does so much for the community, including not just his countless blog posts and discussions, but also the way he manages his company and releases his games. He always has the consumer’s interest at heart and purposefully tries to be inclusive. He just seems like an all-around great guy.
Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
Many of them just come randomly when I’m driving or trying to fall asleep. I will also explore Pinterest to help find inspiration, especially when I have something specific in mind. I keep an ongoing Pinterest board of things I find interesting that might give me inspiration at some point.
How do you go about playtesting your games?
Lately, it’s just been through TableTop Simulator with a handful of other designer friends that I’ve met through The Game Crafter community. As for in-person, I have a couple of really good friend groups that are usually up for a playtest. I attended Protospiel MN in 2020 for the first time and had some amazing playtests there, too.
Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I have bounced some ideas around with some friends about co-designing but haven’t fully gotten into anything yet; however, I think it would be a lot of fun. I have a fairly good handle on where my design strengths lie, and this really helps when working with someone so that we can complement each other. As for artists, I love finding artists to work with; however, it’s not always in the budget. Depending on the scale of the project, I can sometimes create the art myself, but again, I know my limits. The same goes for graphic design.
What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
I really struggle with giving myself that last step to finishing a game, like creating the final rulebook and marketing. I really hate marketing.
If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I have a dream game that I would love to make that actually uses a bunch of different board game IP’s. I want to make the equivalent of Super Smash Bros but as a board game. Not necessarily a fighting game, but just something that uses characters from a bunch of different board games. However, I definitely do not have the resources for something so ambitious, so please, someone make this game.
What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
To use The Game Crafter right out of the gate for things like card and box templates as well as component possibilities. Having these sort of “constraints” really helped shape my games into more than just ideas on scraps of paper.
What advice would you like to share about designing games?
To just power through and finish your first game. It’s not going to be good, and it’s important to understand that, but it will help give you the experience and drive to move forward with your other games. You will grow as a designer, but only if you actually have those experiences to learn from.
Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Published games, I have:
Kickflip (self published on The Game Crafter)
Games that will soon be published are:
Trace the Stars
Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker’s Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
A few different groups but I am active on The Game Crafter Designer Discussion Facebook Group.
Star Trek or Star Wars? Coke or Pepsi? VHS or Betamax?
Both are fun but I’m not super into them. Coke for making a rum and Coke, but I drink Mt Dew daily. I grew up on VHS.
What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
I play a lot of video games, especially Overwatch. If anyone plays on PS4, let me know!
What is something you learned in the last week?
How to make reindeer poop.
[GJJ Games] OK, I’m intrigued. What exactly is reindeer poop?
https://pin.it/XPe40d2 - It is super delicious and easy to make! The recipe calls it “White Trash”, but I’ve always heard it called “Reindeer Poop”.
Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Death Cab for Cutie (depressing), This is How it Always is (depressing), and The Royal Tenenbaums (depressing).
What was the last book you read?
I am currently reading Sophie’s World.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I’ve been trying to learn the harmonica.
Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
I have a huge collection of Pokemon memorabilia.
Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
I broke my ankle skateboarding back in high school but I didn’t want to stop hanging out with my friends, so I waiting a few hours before finally going home and having my mom take me to the hospital.
Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Years ago, I applied at a coffee shop without actually wanting to get the job, but I got it and it taught me to like espresso drinks.
Who is your idol?
I typically don’t like to idolize people because I have come to the realization that no one is any better than anyone else, and everyone is really just faking it till they make it. However, I got to meet Tony Hawk a few years ago and that was pretty cool.
What would you do if you had a time machine?
Jump into the future when space travel is normal and affordable.
Are you an extrovert or introvert?
I’m right smack in the middle.
If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Hellboy is my favorite.
Have any pets?
A dog, 2 cats, and my daughter’s 2 cockroaches.
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 like Chess to survive as I think it helps teach patience and strategic planning. I would be happy to see Football die out because it gives kids numerous concussions that can have lifelong consequences.
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):
Brian LaPorte, Ben Moy, and Donnie Coleman are other designers that I’ve met through The Game Crafter community. They are extremely supportive, helpful, and kind and are simply amazing people.
I love to brainstorm with other designers and help them think through their ideas. I like to support indie designers in any way I can. Please reach out if you’d like to chat!
, like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter . And be sure to check out my games on Tabletop Generation. |
| The game box was smaller than I expected, at 6.5" square and 2" deep. What you can't see on the cover is some nice spot UV printing that highlights the colors and some outlines of some game icons. It's a nice, thick box, too. Great quality here! |
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| The game name only appears on the back and four sides of the box. The front is kept clean and simple. |
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| The back of the box highlights the four different games that are included. |
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| The first thing you see when opening the box is the rulebook. |
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| The rules for each game appear on the accordion-fold rules. |
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| The rules for each game are short, concise, and well laid out, with plenty of graphical examples. |
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| Under the rules are four large tiles. These can be arranged in different formations for different games. |
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| The back of each tile shows all four aroma categories and the scents in each category. This side of the tiles is used for the Survive game. |
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| Under the tiles are the rest of the game components. |
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| Next up are an Aroma token, four smaller tiles for each category, and a small deck of cards. |
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| The reverse side of the Aroma tile is the game logo. The reverse sides of the category tiles show a numerical list of all the scents in the game. The cards are business cards that include a description of each essential oil. There are also two coupons to save on a diffuser at the Organic Aromas website. |
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| Under the cards and tiles, we have some wooden components, smaller identification tiles, and some paper strips I assume are for applying the oils to for easier sniffing. |
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| Here is a better view of the wooden components - a wooden token and five cubes for each category. Also, the bundle of paper strips. I found a few more of the strips underneath everything in the box, too. |
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| There are four sets of identification tiles that have the names of every scent in the game. |
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| Here we have the essential oils - the main component of the game. |
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| Each cardboard holder can hold five of the small oil jars. These are glass jars with plastic screw-on lids. |
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| Each jar of oil has a number that can be matched to the reference tiles to identify the scent. |
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| Opening a jar shows a small ballbearing roller that can be used to roll a small amount of the oil onto your hand or one of the strips of paper. |
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| Everything fits back into the box nicely! |
, like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter . And be sure to check out my games on Tabletop Generation.
