Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Taking the Story from the Page to the Board Game

I've recently begun designing board games, but never fear. For me, a good board game is still all about telling an enjoyable story. 

Do the heroes defeat the villains? Do the villains conquer the world? Does the mouse fall in love with the frog and live happily ever after? Do the players cooperate or turn on each other? 

All these kinds of questions go into a strong, replay-worthy board or card game for me. Yes, I know not all games require them, and some might cite Cards Against Humanity as an example, but even then the story unfolding isn't about the game -- it's about the players. 

So, here are the games I currently have in development (just because you're special and get a sneak peek behind the curtain). 

The Battle for Classic City

Build your team of heroes from a cadre of public domain heroes of the past -- featuring Lady Fairplay, Man o' War, Spider Queen, Zor the Mighty, Moon Girl, and many more. Fight for your place as the preeminent team of heroes in Classic City!

This one plays like a Magic or YuGiOh card game without having to buy packs to refresh your decks to stay up to date. Players share the single provided deck to create and rebuild their hands to allow their leaders and sidekicks to attack and defend. 

Matinee

In this deck builder, create your own theater and present the best films to leave your competitors in the dust. Need an advantage? Sell a permanent seat and lock down a stack from the other players or force them to buy directly from you! 

This one is a classic deck builder with a twist. Earn enough money from your theater and you can buy a permanent seat that forces players to buy from you using earned gold or by card trading. Plus it's based on all those great public domain movies you're probably watched spoofed on MST3K!

Cap'n Kelly's Custom Critters

A battling game with a best in show twist! Create your own Custom Critters and then compete in themed competitions as you move around the tiles to initiate battles with the other custom critters. Then make your pets even more special (you know, by adding bat wings or extra legs). The more trophies you earn, the more Custom Critters you can create and increase your ability to cover the board.

For this battling game you will have to constant build and rebuild you custom critters for an ever changing board of competition opportunities. Even though your octopus with lasers and tap shoes won the nightmare battle, it might not help you when it's time for an athletic competition!

Last Mouse on the Left

While Petunia and Penelope Mousekawitz were in the kitchen searching for cheese, Kitty the Killer Cat caught them, and well... it's the circle of life (or perhaps for Kitty, the circle of lunch). But this time, the remaining Mousekawitzes aren't taking it lying down. Armed with every kitchen utensil they can find, they're going to get revenge on that killer cat. Or course, that’s not going to be easy, because, as we all know, cats are notoriously hard to kill with those nine lives... The bigger and more elaborate the trap you set, the more likely you are to get your revenge on Kitty!

Place your workers to set traps, attack directly, draw additional cards, heal your mouse, or even control the cat and send him after your opponents. This one uses a basic worker placement mechanic streamlined for beginning players of that game type. 

Shark Detective

Did Little Jimmy Jellyfish steal Sara Seahorse's pearls from the Undertow Club? Or did Agatha "Angel" Angler steal Ollie Ollie Octopus' gold doubloon at Rad Reef Park? It's an under the sea crime adventure only you can solve as you take the role of one of Ocean City's most brilliant Shark Detectives to catch the right criminal, investigate the right crime scene, and return the stolen merchandise to the victim. Why sharks? Because they're the smartest hunters in the sea, and it will take all those smart to close this case!

The rules are simple on this one, and it's designed for quick, easy family and group play for all ages. Manipulate the line up and when it matches your case card, you win!

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