Category: development

  • Making the Physical Copy of Snapshots

    Making the Physical Copy of Snapshots

    Picking up from where I left off, I wanted to finish up by telling about my experience turning my digital designs for Snapshots into a tangible game. As I said in the last post, I went with The Game Crafter. Let me preface this by saying this isn’t some sponsored spiel. I just genuinely enjoyed…

  • Creating the Artwork for Snapshots

    Creating the Artwork for Snapshots

    Let me show you how I went about creating the artwork for the game tiles in Snapshots: A Photo Journey (the board game I designed and produced to propose to Katy). First and foremost, I had to pick the right memories. This meant diving into my photo collection. I relived those moments as I scrolled…

  • Turning Memories into Game Mechanics

    Turning Memories into Game Mechanics

    When I started thinking about making a board game to propose to Katy, my original idea was something reminiscent of “The Game of Life”, with a set path and spaces dedicated to our memories. I even sketched a mock-up in OneNote, but it soon became evident that a fixed path, already laid out with our…

  • ‘Snapshots: A Photo Journey’ – My Custom Proposal Board Game!

    ‘Snapshots: A Photo Journey’ – My Custom Proposal Board Game!

    I wanted to share a special project I recently undertook that combined two of my passions: the love of my life, Katy, and board gaming. As I planned a unique way to propose, I thought, why not design a board game that encapsulates our journey? (FYI, I’m not married yet but I was still smart…

  • A Digital Beginning: The First AURA Inc Playtests

    A Digital Beginning: The First AURA Inc Playtests

    Note: The initial playtests described below were done between August 12, 2023 and August 17, 2023. The playtesting phase of a game is all about experimentation, feedback, and refinement. For AURA Inc., my starting point was simple and practical: I used a tablet and computer to test initial mechanics without diving deep into physical components.…

  • Analog vs. App-Driven Board Games: A Modern Crossroads of Game Design

    Analog vs. App-Driven Board Games: A Modern Crossroads of Game Design

    I’m currently in the throes of developing my first game, AURA Inc., a cooperative ghost-hunting adventure. The journey has presented numerous design challenges, and the debate between analog and app-driven mechanisms sits prominently among them. As I navigate this design quagmire, I’d like to share insights that could assist others faced with a similar dilemma.…

  • Peering Through the Veil: The Concept Behind AURA Inc.

    Peering Through the Veil: The Concept Behind AURA Inc.

    AURA Inc. has been a concept brewing in my mind for several months now. It’s a reflection of my love for investigation and my love for cooperative board games. The core of AURA Inc., or the Astral Understanding & Research Agency, Incorporated for the long-winded, isn’t about the Hollywood-esque bravado of storming into haunted mansions,…

  • Diving into Game Design: AURA Inc. – My First Major Game Project!

    Diving into Game Design: AURA Inc. – My First Major Game Project!

    Co-operative board games have always held a special place in my heart. From the strategic crisis management of Pandemic, to the zombie-fighting escapades of Zombicide, and the tense survival atmosphere of Dead of Winter – I’ve always been captivated by the shared experience they offer. It’s not just pure co-ops though; semi-cooperative games like Betrayal…