Tuesday, November 24, 2020

People Behind the Meeples - Episode 254: Scott James

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:Scott James
Email:info@minervatabletop.co.uk
Location:United Kingdom
Day Job:I work in marketing and have a degree in design, both of which come in handy when publishing games!
Designing:Two to five years.
Webpage:https://www.minervatabletop.co.uk/swatch
BGG:Swatch
Facebook:Minerva Tabletop Games
Twitter:@MINERVAtabletop
YouTube:Minerva Tabletop Games
Instagram:@minervatabletop
Find my games at:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/minervatabletop/swatch-the-abstract-game-of-art
Today's Interview is with:

Scott James
Interviewed on: 8/4/2020

For this week's interview we get to meet Scott James, founder of Minerva Tabletop Games and designer of the successfully Kickstarted Swatch! Be sure to check out this fun game of colors and read on to learn more about Scott and his current 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?
I've always been more interested in the process than the result of our hobby. At first this meant building and converting miniatures instead of painting and playing, and then it led to designing board games instead of playing them! I've always been creative and this is a great output for many of the ideas I have.

What game or games are you currently working on?
My first 'proper' design, Swatch, was live on Kickstarter a short while ago. It's a colour creation game where players draft cards and manage resources to mix and create colour schemes. I've been working on it for 18 months now, amongst smaller designs I distribute for free.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
Swatch will be my first published game under my design brand, Minerva Tabletop Games.

What is your day job?
I work in marketing and have a degree in design, both of which come in handy when publishing games!

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

Where do you prefer to play games?
At home with my fiancée or at my local board game cafe The Ludoquist. I run a playtesting meetup there and it's a fantastic community.

Who do you normally game with?
My fiancée Poppy, fellow designers, and a group of friends who play larger games like Game of Thrones and Kemet.

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I'd open with something light and social like Coup or Love Letter and then aim to play a couple of light to medium weight games like Tiny Towns or Sagrada. If there's time at the end a quick game like Point Salad or Deep Sea Adventure is the perfect wind down.

And what snacks would you eat?
Despite having a sweet tooth, I prefer savoury snacks when gaming. Crisps and beer usually!

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I don't usually play music if I'm hosting, I don't have a lot of music considered easy listening!

What’s your favorite FLGS?
The Ludoquist in South London. Excellent board game library and Nick has supported my game design from the beginning.

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
Currently Tiny Towns, a very challenging but satisfying game. I'm going to twist the question. slightly and say I really want to enjoy Splendor but find the experience quite flat, yet still keep playing! I've playtested a lot of bad prototypes, but my worst published gaming experience was playing Onirim co-op. Terrible rulebook.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Resource management or worker placement. Knowing there's a perfect solution is very comforting to me, even if I can't always find it!

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Hit Z Road or Age of Civilization, two of the few games I've bought and not yet played, but know I will love.

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, Miniatures Games

OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
I used to, before I found better social games and realised how toxic that game was.

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?
It depends on the game. Swatch was designed mechanics first and the colour. Theme developed naturally, but other designs have been solutions to a type of game that I wanted to make.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
No, but the Buttonshy 18 card contests have inspired a few designs of my own but never in time to submit them.

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
Peter McPherson for Tiny Towns, or Kyle Ferrin as artist for Leder Games

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
Usually when I'm trying to sleep, having a shower or driving to work. Any time I'm trying to relax really!

How do you go about playtesting your games?
When there's not a pandemic I have fortnightly playtesting meetups as part of Playtest UK. I also iterate and playtest online using Tabletop Simulator, an invaluable tool currently!

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I've been working alone for the past 18 months and it's been hard work. If Swatch is a success I'd like to work with a developer for future titles, but I am also working on a co-design which is very refreshing.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Balancing my time. I've been lucky this year as I've been furloughed for the months leading up to Swatch's launch, I would have struggled to work full time, move house, plan a wedding AND launch a game.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
Fallout. My first design was a Fallout miniatures game before Modiphius announced their excellent (official) game, so I created my own post-apocalyptic universe. I'd like to revisit that world for a board game in the future.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Everyone struggles. No one breezes through funding or signing games time after time without a lot of hard work. Don't get complacent, you can always be improving something. And be wary of Imposter Syndrome, even if you have the strongest self confidence!

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Join a community or if you can't find one, build one. Designers are excellent support groups and almost everyone is doing it for the love of the hobby. Give as much as you take.

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: Swatch: the colour creation game
Games that I'm playtesting are: An untitled game where players rescue bats and run a bat sanctuary! Card drafting, set collection and engine building.

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 for the space battles. Pepsi. VHS.

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Urban Exploration, exploring and photographing abandoned buildings!

What is something you learned in the last week?
Your Kickstarter page doesn't have to be complete before creating a link for potential backers to subscribe! Could have been sharing it a lot earlier.

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
If there's one man shouting and another man singing in a pitch some women would struggle to hit, I'll probably listen to it. Fantasy or historical/historical fiction. Sci-fi, comedy or psychological horror.

What was the last book you read?
A Blink of the Screen by Terry Pratchett, one of my favourite authors.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Piano/keyboard, although I haven't learnt anything new in a while.

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Leaving my life behind and moving to London to work for a company that was bought out a few months later, but that really was the chain of events that led me to here, so it worked out alright in the end.

Who is your idol?
Brian Blessed. He's the oldest man to reach the North Pole, has completed space training with the Russians, wrestled the Dalai Lama and punched a polar bear. He's 83!

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
An empath like Peter Petrelli, Heroes.

Have any pets?
For the first time in my life, no. But we've just bought a house, so we'll have a furry friend soon enough!

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?
Roleplaying games require little to no materials and bring people together. Elitism in gaming can get yeeted into the sun.

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):
Poppy! It's safe to say I wouldn't be in the position I am now without her. She's been supportive of my dream to design games since we met and she provides me with sanity checks when I need it most. I love you!


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

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.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

People Behind the Meeples - Episode 253: Rob Newton

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:Rob Newton
Location:Seattle, WA
Day Job:Software Engineer
Designing:Two to five years.
Webpage:coinflipgames.co
BGG:coinflipgames
Facebook:Coin Flip Games, LLC
Twitter:@CoinFlipGames
Instagram:@coinflipgamesllc/
Other:
Find my games at:Prototypes are generally here: https://coinflipgames.itch.io/
Today's Interview is with:

Rob Newton
Interviewed on: 7/30/2020

This week we get to hear from new, up-and-coming designer, Rob Newton. Rob has a few published games, including Shuffle Grand Prix and Sonora (which there's a giveaway for over on the Roll & Write Games group on Facebook. Rob has a bunch of other games in the works, including at least one that's already been signed. So read on to learn more about Rob and keep an eye out for his latest games!

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?
Because I love games and digital games weren't speaking to me. I work as a software engineer as my day job and spending even more time coding games as a hobby was more draining than fulfilling. I discovered tabletop games through Carcassonne and 7 Wonders and realized that it was something I could aim towards as well.

What game or games are you currently working on?
Many in progress, most of them co-designs.

Mixtape (prototype name) is signed and in development with Talon Strikes. It's an engine builder about recording the best mixtape to win the heart of your crush.

Bear Hugs is a trick-taking inspired game about going into the woods to befriend bears. I'm working on this one with Aaron Mesburne (of Boss Monster: Overlord fame).

Another game with Aaron is Giraffe Buffet. A simple spatial set-collection game about making tall and fancy giraffes.

And one more with Aaron is A Bird In Hand. This is a hand-management game based on the premise that a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush. Yes, Puns.

I've got a Dutch Auction co-design with Shawn Stankewich and Randy Flynn about bicycles. It's needing a bit of reworking (and a new title since "Amsterdam" was announced this year!)

Another co-design with Shawn uses a mandala for foraging things from the woods to bring them to a farmer's market. This one has a few directions it could go at this point!

And a notebook jam packed with ideas that I could pick up and run with when the inspiration strikes.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
Shuffle Grand Prix in 2019 by Bicycle Games
Sonora in 2020 by Pandasaurus
Mixtape (working title) in 2021 by Talon Strikes

What is your day job?
Software Engineer

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

Where do you prefer to play games?
anywhere with friends

Who do you normally game with?
In the quarantimes, anyone who comes to the Seattle Tabletop Designers online meetup. In the before-times, still the Seattle Tabletop Designers meetup, but IN PERSON.

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
Depends on the mood, but getting in a good mix of games is always nice. Generally I'm thinking about a mechanic and I have a couple games in mind that I want to try out and draw inspiration from.

And what snacks would you eat?
Yes and yes.

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
Yeah, it can be nice if it's not distractingly loud

What’s your favorite FLGS?
Blue Highway Games!

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
Current favorite: Wingspan Least favorite that I still enjoy: I'm really not sure how to answer this. I still love Carcassonne, but I never play it anymore. Worst game: The not-playing-games-in-person game.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
Favorite would be drafting and all its variations. It introduces a lot of good tension and can solve a lot of problems with balance and randomness as well. Least favorite would be negotiation. Definitely tense, but mostly just makes me feel uncomfortable rather than thinky.

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
Most at this point! Would love to play a large game of Root again sometime.

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, Video 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?
Both! Inspiration can come from anywhere. I will say that a lot of puns have been the spark, however.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
Yes! I entered Tabby Tower into the HABA design contest in 2019 and ended up coming in 2nd place. Tabby Tower is a game about cats climbing to the top of a cat tower by adding shelves to an actual tower. The tower itself is a cube tower that catches and dispenses cubes that are used for action selection.

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
I'm really inspired by Phil Walker-Harding, Elizabeth Hargrave, Emerson Matsuuchi, Julio Nazario, and a bunch of others.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
I've had many ideas while taking flights to conventions. I challenge myself to design games during that time because there are few distractions!

How do you go about playtesting your games?
First is always solo testing. I walk through turns and mechanics in my head, then usually put them down on index cards or other flimsy materials. Then I make a first draft prototype and play through it hot-seat style. If the game passes all those steps, I'll take it to the Seattle Tabletop Designer group and get their thoughts on it. Unpub and Protospiel are incredibly valuable for testing everything else. I try to get as many eyes as possible on my games before showing them to a publisher.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
Both! I really like having complete control over an idea and the direction, but co-designs are hugely fulfilling as well. The amount of creativity you can have while working with other people is amazing. I also contracted the artwork for Shuffle Grand Prix from Ruwen Liu back when I thought I might kickstart it myself. Really awesome working with them on art direction for the illustrations.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Time! There is never enough to accomplish all the things I would like to.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I'm not super interested in IP game development, but I'm not opposed to it either.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Getting a game to production is excruciatingly time consuming. Be patient and have more than one thing in the oven.

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
The best advice is to fail. Try things and let them fail and then rework it. When your games stop failing, you know you've got something great.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Published games, I have: Shuffle Grand Prix
Sonora

Games that will soon be published are: Mixtape (working title)
Currently looking for a publisher I have: Bear Hugs
Giraffe Buffet
Tabby Tower

Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are: Forage
Dutch Bikes
Untitled Dice-and-write
Roll-and-raptor
Untitled card worker placement game

And games that are still in the very early idea phase are: Too many to count!

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?
Both! Neither! VHS?

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Hiking and Birding - a perfect match. I've always loved hiking and now birding is a thing to do while hiking. Cooking - trying new recipes and of course eating them!

What is something you learned in the last week?
How to make Chamchi jeon (Korean Tuna Pancakes)! They're really easy and really delicious.

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
I'm generally open to most music. I'm not a fan of pop country, however. Books are a lot more hit or miss for me. I've started to not finish books that aren't doing it for me rather than powering through. Movies are also something where I'm pretty open to watch almost anything, but it does really depend on mood.

What was the last book you read?
Sabrina and Corina. It's a collection of incredibly well written short stories that all kind of intermingle. It also takes place in Colorado and has a lot of things that made me feel quite nostalgic, despite the many tragedies that happen in the stories.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Guitar, bass, ukulele, melodica -- all pretty poorly!

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
My go-to for outside the board game context is telling people I design games! So inside the game context, maybe it's that I work adjacent to academic publishing trying to make science and research more accessible to researchers.

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Quit my job and went to New Zealand for a gap year.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Running into the right folks at a tiny convention in Ohio that put me on a path to getting games published.

Who is your idol?
I try not to idolize anyone! I admire many people, however.

What would you do if you had a time machine?
Let's just have a quick look at 2025...

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
Both, sometimes. I tend towards introverted, but I can turn it on when I need to; it's exhausting though!

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Spiderman seems to have the most fun.

Have any pets?
A cat - MC Cat Commander, A budgie - Merlin, A lizard - Navarre

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?
At this point I might be rooting for the asteroid. In the meantime, let's just support each other.

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):
Shout out to YOU. Thanks for reading this random interview!

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

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.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

People Behind the Meeples - Episode 252: Ben Moy

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:Ben Moy
Email:benjaminwmoy@gmail.com
Location:United States
Day Job:I formerly worked in the exhibition and trade show display industry as a CPQ (Configure Price Quote)/workflow developer, but these days I find myself taking on freelance work I can find.
Designing:Five to ten years.
BGG:Ben Moy
Facebook:Your Friend Ben Moy Designs Board Games
Twitter:@benlikesthings
YouTube:The Board Game Blueprint
Instagram:@howyoubenmoy/
Other:
Find my games at:Currently the Atlas Games website for Breakdancing Meeples - https://atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG1460 - and hopefully a friendly local game store near you!
[GJJ Games] Also, find Ben’s Breakdancing Meeples game at the 2020 Charity Auction for Extra Life!
Today's Interview is with:

Ben Moy
Interviewed on: 7/22/2020

This week we get to meet one of the most passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic people in the industry. Ben Moy is not just a game designer, but he's an amazing ambassador for the board game community as a whole! He's the only person I know that would drive over 15 hours in a weekend, just to make sure he could attend two conventions in different dtates (and not even bordering states - Missouri and Wisconsin) just so he could spread joy and hang out with his friends for a little while. Read on to learn more about Ben and his 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 originally went to school to become a toy designer, but when I was introduced to the board game hobby my final year, something inside me just clicked; not only was I able to combine my creativity and geekdom from life up to this point and design thinking from university together, but I was also able to devote that fusion to something that fostered a much more social and active space.

What game or games are you currently working on?
My first signed game, a real-time dexterity game called Breakdancing Meeples, just hit retail and online order this summer, which is very exciting for me. Meanwhile, I am continuing to push a lighter game called Happy Hong Bao! to completion and hoping to get my first abstract design currently entitled Tyrano Towns to a finalized state.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
I have indeed, the aforementioned Breakdancing Meeples was published by Atlas Games, and I am happy to say has been received positively thus far!

What is your day job?
I formerly worked in the exhibition and trade show display industry as a CPQ (Configure Price Quote)/workflow developer, but these days I find myself taking on freelance work I can find.

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

Where do you prefer to play games?
I have been playing in game stores and cafes for a long while, so in public they are some of my favorite go-to's. I really like going to a friend's house as well though - comfy couches and bringing snacks always makes game day something to look forward to. :D Nowadays, I do plenty of playtesting from behind the computer screen, and I think it has cemented itself into my usual process.

Who do you normally game with?
When I'm not playing prototypes with other designers, which at this point is basically 100% of my gaming, I can play with my local board gaming group who all met online, or for a little while with my parents (9 times out of 10 it is their favorite game, Mahjong).

If you were to invite a few friends together for game night tonight, what games would you play?
I have a heavy preference for lighter-strategy games; I find that ones that fit in this category (Reef, Sagrada, Santorini) really push you to strategize, but not in a way that will leave you so mentally exhausted after playing you want to be on your phone the next hour. I find the shorter play time also means we can get more games in too. :) But I am also a softie for a good cooperative game, and really enjoy social ones where everyone around the table can work together.

And what snacks would you eat?
I am a big crunchy snacks guy - chips, veggies, etc. Though a chewy cookie and sweets are my other form of Kryptonite. Thankfully fingers can be wiped pretty easily with those, as opposed to a more messy meal that could definitely leave a game unsalvageable.

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I usually forget to turn it on, but I do enjoy some background music; usually I try to find something that fits the theme, and generally something instrumental with a little bit of ambience to it. For a game of Seikatsu, I remember finding a zen garden playlist on YouTube to have going, which added another layer of tranquility to our play.

What’s your favorite FLGS?
My favorite FLGS is one that I only stepped in once, but wish I could have stayed at; I'm Board! Games & Family Fun in Madison, WI, has an awesome front display area and a really nice back area full of tables for playing. I love how bright their store is too, with plenty of natural lighting coming in, friendly staff, and if I am not mistaken a second location just opened up or on its way. I wish Bryan and his crew much success!

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
My current favorite game (that I am most excited about) is Fort by Leder Games. Least favorite that I still enjoy might be Dead of Winter - when I first learned how to play I had no idea what was going on. *laughs* And worst game I ever played..Probably one of my own untested prototypes; I have a bad habit of not testing my own things out before putting them in front of people, leading to some sometimes very broken experiences.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
My favorite game mechanic might be dice allocation - I love rolling those suckers, and then trying to make them work with hopefully a bit of mitigation - while my least favorite is probably take-that; I don't enjoy piling on someone as much as I used to.

What’s your favorite game that you just can’t ever seem to get to the table?
I played Rising Sun at Geekway to the West my first or second year there, and I got so excited about it I bought a copy from someone. Since then, I played it once, and I think that was years ago - would love to maybe come up with a "house rules" way to play that might purely be action points for more "intuitive" play for my newer-to-the-hobby friends.

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

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?
Lately I have been mechanics-driven as the point of interest - how can I make the system of this game interesting and new? - and then find a theme I feel would be an interesting match-up, or simply a theme that might not be expected. The aforementioned Tyrano Towns I knew I wanted a deconstruction/construction component for table presence, and then had to think about how giant monsters could be woven into the narrative. Once these two are generally agreed-upon, I try then to hone in on the experience I want players to have, which then guides maybe even more of the design choices than the original two points.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
I have definitely entered competitions, and have won a category in a local competition (CUDO Plays). I think they are a great motivator and way to challenge oneself to begin a design and see the project through to fruition; many of my designs actually start from an intended entry into a contest, etc., including Happy Hong Bao!. :)

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
I don't know that I do have a favorite game designer, per se, that I buy or play every one of their games or anything. I recently hung out with Keith Matejka of Thunderworks Games waiting at an airport terminal though, he's pretty cool. And his Roll Player games are great fun, not to mention how beastly his Skulk Hollow design (with Pencil First Games) is.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
I feel like every design is different, but the first place I always start is asking myself, "what can I do that is different?" With Breakdancing Meeples, it was rolling meeples that traditionally act as stationary markers or pawns. With a design I am looking to bring back, Fantasy Golf, it was - "how can I incorporate a dice tower into a design?" And for a way-shelved design, Sea Dogs (a game of puppy pirates), I wanted a weather track - in the shape of a compass! - that players directly affected with the cards they played. I feel like, to come up with my best ideas, I lock myself in my room, sit, and think really hard. At least, the start of ideas.

How do you go about playtesting your games?
For the past several months I have been playtesting exclusively online through Tabletop Simulator (TTS), which I never would have seen myself doing until it became a necessity. Before the now, I would have a few monthly groups I would get together with, meeting in friend's homes or breadhouses, etc., as described previously.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I have generally worked alone, though believe 100% in accreditation. The way my process goes, I like to implement as much of my testers' feedback into the design as I can, which often leads me going back-and-forth at times, but it is a journey I enjoy going on with them, and I hope they do too. My "focus" is to pitch to publishers, so a lot of the team aspect when it comes to realizing a game is lost on me after it is hopefully signed, but I absolutely love collaborating with friends and offering thoughts whenever I can/is appropriate. I marvel in awe at so many artists.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
My biggest challenge as a game designer is probably standing firm when it comes to feedback - as mentioned above, because I want everyone to feel valued, I maybe take off more than I chew by making changes and tweaks after *every* single playtest, when really I should weigh the validity of each one in the grand scope of my vision for the game, etc. Spinning my wheels to feel busy is easily my greatest weakness (other than crunchy snacks and sweet treats).

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I can't say I have any designs in mind for a specific IP, but it just came to me a cool one might be the Nickelodeon show Danny Phantom; I really like superheroes, I like its cast of characters, and I like its art direction. I will probably come up with a "better" dream license after this interview but for now I am "going ghost!"

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
I wish someone could have told me long ago (and burned into my brain so I would never fall for these ever again) all the things that sound great but invariably lead to "feel-bad" moments in games. One example might be "lose a turn" - there are many other more interesting and satisfying ways for a penalty than skipping over and denying someone who wants just as much to play the game as anyone else at the table from doing so. Another I can never seem to get right is a zero-sum economy. *laughs*

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Though I do not yet feel what I have to say can be considered advice, perhaps the most insightful thing I can offer is, "be open". My designs have only improved when I was receptive to feedback and opinions that weren't just my own, and I continue to grow as a person by being so; I hope that the readers will also find the same to hold true for them!

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Published games, I have: Breakdancing Meeples - A real-time game of dueling dance crews
Games that will soon be published are: Happy Hong Bao! - A social-light game of strategy and fortune
Games I feel are in the final development and tweaking stage are: Tyrano Towns - A DNA-builder of monstrous proportions
Games that I'm playtesting are: Fantasy Golf - A bard-course gentleman's game
The Halcyon Is Stormed - An asymmetric sci-fi game of objective action

And games that are still in the very early idea phase are: Drop Mech - An arena battle game of gravitational gladiators
I Chit You Knot - A bluffing game of maritime racing

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 Community and TGC Designer Discussion are my two favorites!

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. Mountain Dew. YouTube? :D

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
Besides tabletop games, I enjoy thinking about weightlifting, considering improving my art skills, and enjoying sunshine.

What is something you learned in the last week?
"Prolithic" does not have the meaning I thought it did.

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
Favorite type of music will probably always be 50s and 60s, but anything that can move will always be good. I especially like uplifting sorts of tunes. Fantasy was my favorite genre growing up, now I am more likely to read books of insights and such. Favorite movies definitely include action summer blockbusters.

What was the last book you read?
The last book I read (half of) was a biography, How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents, by Jimmy O. Yang.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I do not play any musical instruments now; a year or two of clarinet in middle school, and learned a few chords on the ukulele end of high school. Wish I knew the harmonica or steel drum.

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
One thing about myself that might surprise people is that I only first watched the Matrix this year.

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
Someone mistook me for another person recently so I pretended to be them for the length of the conversation.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
Betting my dad I would hit a home run by the end of the season for a PS2 and actually doing it - then there was almost at least one every game by the rest of the team. I think this was 2003 or so?

Who is your idol?
Dwayne Johnson is one of them right now, I would say.

What would you do if you had a time machine?
Use it to bend *space* so I could go to different places and eat delicious foods.

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
I identify as an extrovert, but in my age drift closer to the introvert side of the spectrum.

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
I don't know if any superheroes don't have tragic stories, so I would rather have the powers of any superhero, and that one would be The Flash and super speed; so many designs done like that!

Have any pets?
I do not currently have any pets, but would love a Samoyed to name Sam Moy.

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 recreation as a whole will survive. Much of our way of living will probably shift to survival, but I hope things aren't so poor that we can't also enjoy ourselves. In terms of wiped entirely from human consciousness, I wouldn't mind seeing the removal of conflict and "otherness".

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):
CUDO Plays, JT and The Game Crafter, Atlas Games (Jeff, Kyla, Atlas), Ben & Second Fridays, Gabe Barrett and the BGDL Community at large, Matt Paquette, Elf Creek Games (Mike, Brent, Elf Creek), Thunderworks Games (Keith), Leder Games, Mom, Dad, Bro, UIUC ID Fam, SAL Pals, George Jaros

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

Thank you for this interview, and I hope everyone is sure to practice self-care.

Thank you, George! We love you; I hope you are doing well.

[GJJ Games] Thanks Ben! You’re awesome, and I miss hanging out at Protospiels!


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.

Friday, November 6, 2020

Tune In to the Extra Life Livestream!

Scroll down or CLICK HERE to go straight to the livestream!


Each November, GJJ Games runs a 24 Hour Game Marathon as well as a week long Charity Auction at The Gaming Goose in DeKalb. These events support the Extra Life organization's efforts to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  Our event specifically supports Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.  Please tune in to support this wonderful charity event and to play some great games!

Link to the Auction:
https://CharityAuction.bid/2020ExtraLife-GJJGames

Link to donate:
https://www.extra-life.org/participant/GJJGames

This year I will be live streaming for 24 hours to support Extra Life! Join me as I kick off the 2020 Charity Auction for Extra Life! I'll be playing games, running marble races, doing a few giveaways, and more from 7pm Friday, November 6 until 7pm Saturday, November 7 (CST). Come join in the fun! All proceeds from the 24 Hour Live Stream and the Auction go to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals!

Each live stream video (except the last one) will be about 4 hours long, with short 10-30 minute breaks between streams. So join in the fun (and help me stay awake)!

If you'd like to join in a game, I'll be playing Cartographers from Thunderworks Games and my own Rolling Seas periodically throughout the stream. You'll need to download the following files to join in:

  • Cartographers Maps
  • Rolling Seas Basic Map & Ledger - If you've played before.
  • Rolling Seas Tutorial Map & Ledger - If you're new to Rolling Seas.
  • All Stream Long - I'll be doing the following things throughout the entire event.

  • Extra Life Funding Milestones - Every $25 raised will see me adding another doo-dad to my hair or beard. How silly can you get me looking by the end of the event?
  • Marble Races - I'll be taking breaks from gaming by running some marble races on the awesome marble track that I built earlier this year.
  • Hotwheels Races - If I need to make a decision on what game to play next, I'll let the Hotwheels cars decide on my 20+ foot long hotwheels race track!
  • GIVEAWAYS - I'll be randomly giving away stuff to people watching the event! I'll also do a giveaway at the end of the event where everyone who tuned in can be entered (and get extra entries for donating)! Items being given away will include $5 The Game Crafter gift cards, promo cards from SlugFest Games, Inc. and Pencil First Games, several titles from Grey Gnome Games, and a copy of The Stonebound Saga with the Visions of Telios expansion and promos from Sky Kingdom Games!
  • 24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 5:30pm to 7:00pm

  • Join me for Cartographers at 5:30pm!
  • 24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

    24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 8:30am to 12:30pm

  • Join me for Rolling Seas at 10:00am!
  • 24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 4:00am to 8:00am

    24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 11:30pm to 3:30am

  • Hues & Cues with The Charity Boardgamer at 11:30pm!
  • Join me for Rolling Seas at 1:30am!
  • 24 Hour Live Stream for Extra Life - 7:00pm to 11:00pm

  • Join me for Cartographers at 9:30pm!
  • Live Stream Previews:

    These are just a few quick test livestreams to prepare for my 24 hours of streaming on Friday and Saturday! In thee first livestream I'll do an unboxing and show off some of the games that will be available in the auction and giveaways from Grey Gnome Games and Sky Kingdom Games. In the second I test a few more features and show off some of the silliness that will happen as I gain donations throughout the event. The third is a preview of the marble and hotwheels races I"ll be running!



    2020 Sponsors!


    Sponsorships are starting to roll in for our 2020 event and it's shaping up to be our biggest year yet!  We've already seen some incredible generosity from members of the board game community.  So far this is what we have donated for our 2020 Extra Life Fundraiser events:

    Tuesday, November 3, 2020

    Test Livestream for Extra Life

    On Friday night at 7pm central time I'll be hosting a 24 hour livestream to support Extra Life and to kick off the 2020 Charity Auction for Extra Life.  

    In preparation for that I'll be running a short livestream for an hour or less, just to test out the software and make sure everything is working as I hope.  You can tune in to that stream here!  I'll be showing off a few games from Grey Gnome Games and Sky Kingdom Games that will be available in the auction and that I'll have as giveaways during this weekend's livestream.




    Did you like this livestream?  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.