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SALT LAKE CITY — Have you ever had an idea for a board game, convinced it was brilliant, and then thought, “But how do I create it and get it published”?
Game Night Games in Salt Lake City boasts a wonderful resource for those asking that question. Since January 2007, the Board Game Designers Guild of Utah (BGDG) has offered amateur game designers the chance to develop their ideas and turn them into marketable games.
Meeting every other Tuesday night, the guild usually spends some time discussing guild business and offering a presentation on some aspect of game development. Then the fun really begins as members play-test each other's games and offer helpful suggestions.
“I have taken several games to be play-tested at the guild,” said Brian Kelley, a member of the guild for two years. “Last year I play-tested and published a cute little family game called White Elephant. Other games I have had play-tested are Super Hero, a cooperative card game, Scarlet Pimpernel, a euro-style adventure game, and Industrial Revolutionaries, a market simulation game. Each of these is in various stages of completion. If it wasn't for that pesky paycheck, I would quit my full-time job and design games full-time.”
“The guild is so helpful and full of creative energy,” said Trevor Cram, who with a friend has recently developed Ninja Family Picnic, a board game in which a family of ninjas attempts to steal food in a park without being seen. “The BGDG has remained an important source of feedback and support for us.”
Many designers have had their games published by major and local companies, and some have self-published. Some of the guild's success stories include Trollhalla by Alf Seegert, in which players each take on the role of a troll busily plundering the countryside, and The Heavens of Olympus by Game Night Games store manager Mike Compton, in which the Greek god Zeus employs other gods to help him build a universe.
“Of the other games I have designed and tested with the guild, two have been published: Lemonade Stand by Mayday Games and Super Showdown by Touch Paper Press,” said Cram. “Both titles mention the BGDG on their final printed material.”
Don't expect to see Ninja Family Picnic on store shelves anytime soon, however, as Cram has his hands full with other titles he's developing. “Currently, TPP is raising publishing funds for our next title; Seeking the Gift. After that, we will finally be in a position to move forward with Ninja Family Picnic.”
The guild does not just help develop board games, however. Melissa Singleton, who has been a member for about a year, recently developed a party game that the guild happily play-tested.
“The name of our game is Witness Protection Program,” said Singleton, referring to a game in which participants draw cards that assign them characters. “It started with a few friends one night playing murder in the dark. By the end of the night we brainstormed over a dozen characters that would make the game even more exciting. Now we have three expansion packs and people play the game every week with over 80 characters.”
The guild members play-tested Witness Protection Program by scattering around the store and searching for the murderer, careful not to be killed themselves.
“We were hesitant to play-test our game with the guild as it is a party game and takes much more player interaction,” said Singleton. “But the facilitators were amenable and the play testers were game to try something new. We received great feedback and have already made those changes in our game play.”
The guild is open to new members, and a friendly atmosphere prevails. Those looking to join the guild are required to attend three meetings before they are able to have their game play-tested. While each developer must be prepared for criticism, it is generally offered in a sincere, respectful manner.
“I think the thing I like the most about the guild is being with like-minded people,” said Kelley. “We have a lot of fun creating, play testing, analyzing and talking about board games.”
Cody K. Carlson holds a master's degree in history from the University of Utah and currently teaches at Salt Lake Community College. EMAIL: ckcarlson76@gmail.com
