In this post, I share the exciting news of being accepted into PAX Unplugged's Indie Games Night Market - marking my first time directly selling a game of my own design. I trace the journey from discovering this unique underground event last year to applying with Community Cult, a cooperative mystery game that blends Cthulhu Mythos with Scooby-Doo style adventures. The post explores the game's evolution through various themes and publisher pitches, my decision to self-publish, and how this night market will serve as a proving ground for public reception versus industry feedback.

In this post, I reflect on finding my authentic voice as a writer after spending too much time planning instead of doing. I outline the core themes that will shape this blog moving forward: making fun accessible through classic and simple games, exploring language and communication, sharing philosophical insights gained through personal challenges, and highlighting expertise in the gaming industry. The post marks a shift toward more genuine, unpolished writing that prioritizes sharing what genuinely excites me over perfectionist tendencies.

In this post, I reflect on my upcoming milestone at PAX Unplugged 2024 - seeing my first published game, Texas Hold It, on sale. I share the journey from booth worker to game designer, exploring how a bathroom joke among friends evolved into a published game through collaboration with Forever Stoked and Cyanide & Happiness. The post celebrates the power of games to bring joy and healing, while looking forward to new opportunities in game design.

This post examines the therapeutic role of games during times of loss and transition. Through personal experience, I explore how different types of games - from simple mobile titles to collaborative creative platforms - can provide comfort and structure when we need it most. The piece traces how gaming preferences shift during grief, and how shared gaming experiences can create safe spaces for processing loss and building new connections. Drawing from experiences with my son, I discuss how games offer both escape and engagement, helping us find our way forward through play.

This post delves into the development of Kingdomino, from its humble beginnings as a ski resort promotional game to its evolution into a Spiel des Jahres winner. I share insights into Blue Orange Games' transformation, Bruno Cathala's creative process, and the collaborative effort that brought Kingdomino to life. The article highlights the challenges of international game development, the art of rulebook writing, and the journey of refining a game into a beloved classic.

From childhood chess matches with my grandfather to developing award-winning board games, this post traces my journey in the tabletop gaming industry. I share how early experiences with games like Stratego sparked a lifelong passion, leading to my first job at Marbles: The Brain Store, and eventually to a career with Blue Orange Games. The post highlights key moments in my professional development, including work on Spiel des Jahres winner Kingdomino and Kinderspiel des Jahres winner Dragomino.