What's in a Game?

What does it take to create a board game from scratch? Mr. Dawson explained, "Every game can be reduced down to its simple abstract elements." (i.e. rolling a dice, moving a piece one block at a time, etc.) The theme of the game is what makes it entertaining to play, not the actual basics behind it. Besides the typical glue, marker, dice, hard-stock paper, cards, game pieces, and spinners -  it takes creativity, innovation, problem-solving and patience to invent a well-designed board game.

The professionals working with this group are Sam Liberty and Kevin Spak from Spoiled Flush Games.  These board game designers have a few published games either on the market or coming soon, such as Foresooth, Clusterfight (pre-order), Gladiators (coming soon), Cosmic Pizza (coming soon).

Josh, Ian, and James have created a 2-4 player game, which is yet untitled. It's purpose is to out play your opponents by earning more points in each of the four sections of the game board. Economics and real estate development are involved with the theme of this game.

Anh, Frank, and Gavi have crafted a 2-player game which also has no title yet. It is a typical war-type game requiring one player to out maneuver another with better use of resources and plans of attacks.

Abe, Philippe, and Dan are the masterminds behind a 2-4 player game, also untitled.  They described it as a space exploration money-making game, but they are really creating a universe planet by planet.

A Different Kind of Game

Beyond Monopoly Winterim is making board games. These are not your ordinatry board games as the name of the Winterim suggests. The games require strategy and problem solving. The group has played several games like The Settlers of Catan, Game of Thrones, Memoir '44, Smallworld, Formula D, Hive and many others.  They play the games to learn more about what goes into creating a complex strategy game that is also entertaining to play.

Their game creations or prototypes are in progress as seen below. Much of which might be changed by next week after they meet with gaming experts this week.  Creative names like Space Race and Occupy all Streets might some day be seen on the toy shelves of Toys R Us.