Hey there!
My name is Casper and I am a 30 year old UX designer, currently living in Karlskrona, Sweden with a passion for creating everyday experiences. Today is the beginning of a new journey into the world of game dev, and excited if you want to tag along! From wireframes to world-building, I'm diving headfirst into the captivating universe of game design. I will share what I learn to develop my own game, associated costs, experiences, and techniques as I go along this daunting new challenge. So join me as I blend my UX expertise with game development and a journey of creativity, exploration, and learning. I will try to keep a reasonable schedule and release these blog posts monthly most likely. So subscribe to get notified and never miss a post.
“Who is this for?”
Wow, that's a great question (hehe)! On one hand, I chose to embark on this journey of personal interest in game development. My first plan was just to document my advancements and allow me to contemplate and gain insights into the methods of game development. However, as I delved deeper, I realized my limited knowledge of formal game development, which prompted the inception of this interactive aspect. With the blog posts, I hope to connect with professionals, hobbyists, or people who simply enjoy playing games. I hope to engage with you, fostering the exchange of valuable tips and tricks, or even having you join me in playtesting my latest iterations.
Everybody needs a hobby
While working the classic hustle of a 9-5 routine, everyone deserves a respite—a hobby that transcends the confines of work and provides a personal sanctuary. A moment where creativity can flourish and passions can be pursued without the constraints of deadlines or office hours. Whether it's painting, gaming, figma concepts, or any other pursuit, this hobby should be a retreat, a source of joy, and a reminder that life outside the confines of a rigid schedule is rich with opportunities for self-expression and fulfillment. And why not challenge myself with creating my very own board game, after years of playing them myself!
What hobby do you have??
Always start with the why, why, why
The allure I see in crafting a new board game lies in the sheer joy of shared experiences with close and new friends, as there's nothing quite like the excitement and laughter that arise when friends gather around a tabletop adventure with games like Munchkin, Blood rage, Magic the gathering, or Catan (my latest joys). In the pursuit of making a board game, I am actively building toward the dream of creating my own shared experience, connecting with other gamers all while learning something new about board game development. And maybe I will inspire someone else to make a game!?
If so, write to me, and I'll gladly participate in your playtest session in return!
Strategy
In this new endeavor, I assume, much like UX design, my basic strategy for this project becomes a nuanced dance, blending thoughtful planning with an agile design cycle and a commitment to iteration. Embracing an Agile development approach allows for flexibility and continual refinement, ensuring that the game evolves in the right direction with each iteration. Recognizing the importance of player engagement, a successful board game strategy incorporates a system for users to provide feedback. This interactive loop between creators and players not only refines the game's mechanics but also ensures that it resonates with the players, making the development journey a collaborative and enriching experience for all involved. As the board game prototype takes shape, I'll be opening up playtesting channels through local communities, online platforms, and perhaps even events. If you are interested, your feedback will be crucial in refining the game and creating an enjoyable experience.
Don’t worry, I have a plan… well, sorta
With the daunting task of creating something you have never done before, it’s good to have some sort of plan. It's helpful to have a rough outline of what the necessary steps should be. The steps are bound to change so I don't spend too much time thinking everything through completely before starting. The most important step towards making a game should be “start making the game”!
Here's what I came up with after a quick 20-minute brainstorming session, and then I categorized them into three sections to outline my milestones for the project:
Goal of the project
I also need to have some sort of goal in mind to not lose track of the grand vision. The vision is simple, make a game people want to play. Whatever comes afterward is just a cherry on top.
Goal 1: “ Make a game that I want to play”
Goal 2: “Make a game that friends wanna play”
That's all for now! Next time I should probably brainstorm themes for the game and set some kind of scope to work against.
The question for this time
If you had to start a new hobby, what would it be?
See you next time! If you enjoyed the first entry why not subscribe? or share it with someone who also loves games :)
/C
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