Test Coast Games

 In this special live stream episode for TCTC 2021, we speak to Brendan McCaskell, lead designer of the forthcoming Stars of Akarios from OOMM Games.  Brendan tells us all about what's in his big-box space game and the steps that led to its million dollar Kickstarter campaign! TestCoastGames-033-Brendan-McCaskell.mp3     

We speak to Victoria Caña and Alex Uboldi, Seattle-based designers of Gladius, a card game where you bet on competing gladiators and attempt to rig the outcome.Victoria and Alex tell us about their journey co-founding Cat Quartet Games and running a highly successful Kickstarter campaign to launch Gladius. They also give insights into the game design scenes in New York and Seattle, and share valuable advice on playtesting and development for up-and-coming game designers.TestCoastGames-032-Cat-Quartet-Games.mp3Twitter: @AlexUboldi @victoriacana @catquartetgamesfacebook.com/catquartetgames kickstarter.com/projects/catquartetgames/gladius 

We speak to Jeremy Rozenhart, Vancouver-based designer of forthcoming Wild Wings, a fantasy-themed game where you pilot a dragon to collect and spend magical rings.Jeremy tells us about his unusual route into game design and how his Dev Support role at Electronic Arts informs his board game designs. He also shares valuable insights for indie designers from his successful Kickstarter campaign with Wizard Thieves.TestCoastGames-031-jeremy-rozenhart.mp3facebook.com/jrozenhartfacebook.com/wizardthieveskickstarter.com/projects/jrozenhart/wizard-thieves

 We speak to Quinn Brander, Vancouver-based designer of the forthcoming boardgame 'Rebuilding Seattle,' a polyomino engine-builder seven years in the making.Quinn tells us about his journey into game design, how his role as a mobile game designer informs his board game designs and the approaches that have helped him through ups and downs on the road to publication. He also invites digital playtesters to connect with him.TestCoastGames-030-quinn-brander.mp3Twitter: @QuinnBrander Centre for Digital Media article.'History of Rome' podcast 'History of Philosophy' podcast 

Representatives from Meeple Leaf, Rain City Games, Test Coast Games, and Vancouver Playtest Group discuss the topic of How To Build A Crowd.Twitch Panel Featuring: Andrea Robertson, Glen Dresser, Mark Ellis, Mark Yuasa, Nick Angiers, and Noe Escobar.TestCoastGames-029-Panel-How-To-Build-A-Crowd.mp3

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication.   Glen Dresser is a Calgary, Alberta-based designer behind the upcoming boardgame 'The TransContinental.' Watch for the Kickstarter campaign coming in the Fall of 2020. IS-006-glen-dresser.mp3https://wheelhousegames.com/

We speak to Tony Miller, an Oregon-based tabletop game designer who is one-third of the Breaking Into Board Games podcast.Tony tells us how he broke into board games, with his first game Fire in the Library from Weird Giraffe Games. He tells us the origin story behind his highly-anticipated follow-up, Kabuto Sumo. Tony explains his philosophy behind his partnership, New Mill Industries, a self-described punk-rock publisher of the forthcoming Science and Seance Society.TestCoastGames-027-tony-miller.mp3https://twitter.com/beardedrogue https://twitter.com/breakingintobg

 We speak to Cody Thompson, founder of Jellyfish Game Studios (formerly Gold Nugget Games) whose debut game 'Vamp on the Batwalk' funded on Kickstarter in 2019.Cody tells us how he got inspired to launch a publishing company, what he learned from his first Kickstarter campaign and what the future has in store for Jellyfish Game Studios.TestCoastGames-026-cody-thompson-jellyfish-game-studios.mp3https://twitter.com/Jellyfish_GShttps://www.facebook.com/JellyfishGameStudios/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goldnuggetgames/vamp-on-the-batwalk/description

 We speak to Dan Goodman, founder of Robotic Arm Software and creator of Cocktail design software. Cocktail is a highly accessible tool that tabletop designers can use to create card layouts. Dan explores what Cocktail can do for designers and he tells us about his growing community on Discord, the exciting projects where Cocktail has been put to use and his plans to develop the tool even further.TestCoastGames-025-Dan-Goodman.mp3https://twitter.com/cocktail_inc https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDh1uCG6Gw-FCUBhc87ZOAQhttps://cocktail.software/

We welcome back friend of the show Jay Cormier, prolific Vancouver-based game designer (Mind MGMT, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Belfort and many more), publisher and creator of Fail Faster. Jay tells us about some exciting new developments from Fail Faster, including the ambitious Pitch Project, which launches this month with a huge chance for designers to pitch digitally to a host of publishers, participate in workshops and much more!We also learn about the new Fail Faster Early Playtesting Guide and its connection with the Board Game Design Starter Kit campaign on Kickstarter, and we get a sneak preview of what designers can gain by taking part in the Pitch Project’s upcoming event. Game designers, take note. The first deadline is on Oct. 2, 2020!TestCoastGames-24-jay-cormier-allbutpublished.mp3https://allbutpublished.comhttps://failfaster.ca/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gabebarrett/board-game-design-starter-kithttps://inspirationtopublication.wordpress.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9vUF1Z0WZE6juTVxs9I1YA 

 In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication.  Ben Chhoa is the designer of Burnaby Treasure, a real-world treasure hunt based in the city of Burnaby in Metro Vancouver with a cash prize of $500. The hunt is live at the time of recording and can be solved largely from the comfort of your home.IS-005-ben-chhoa-burnaby-treasure.mp3https://www.burnabytreasure.com https://www.facebook.com/Burnaby-Treasure-612898502691076 

 We speak to Sharise Nicole  (Reecie), Producer at BeBold Games. Sharise tells us her origin story as a singer-songwriter and former beauty pageant queen turned game content creator.We learn about the challenges she faces in her role at BeBold; some technical, and others in the form of online trolls.   She tells us about her most inspiring person, a notable pop-star who lives day to day under incredible circumstances!TestCoastGames-023-Sharise-Nicole.mp3https://twitter.com/BoldReecie https://soundcloud.com/sharisenicole  https://www.missthurstoncounty.com/  http://pungeoncrawl.podbean.com/ 

We speak to Randy Flynn, designer of Cascadia from Flatout Games coming in 2021. Randy tells us the origin story of his forthcoming games Cascadia and Tabriz, as well as how he met Flatout Games and joined their "CoLab" game design collective.TestCoastGames-022-randy-flynn.mp3https://twitter.com/rf_seattle https://www.instagram.com/randy_flynn/https://www.flatout.games/cascadia-signup 

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication.  Marie and Pauline are Hot Banana Games, the Vancouver, B.C. based design team behind the upcoming boardgame 'Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum.'https://testcoastgames.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/IS-004-hot-banana-games.mp3https://linktr.ee/hotbananagame

A panel of friends comes together to discuss the social and technical challenges of boardgame playtesting during Covid-19.  Featuring Kennedy Goodkey, Chris Morris, Marcel Perro and Mark Yuasa.We discuss a number of tools and topics including:BoardGameArena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia Discord Vancouver Playtest Group GAC virtual meetup groups Nerdlab / Mastermind Groups TestCoastGames-021-playtesting.mp3

We speak to Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin and Shawn Stankewich, all tabletop game designers in their own right. Together they are Flatout Games, a board game design collaborative based in Seattle WA, and Winnipeg MB.The three tell us how Flatout Games started as a game review team, and naturally developed into the design collaborative we know today.We discuss their smash hit 'Point Salad' and how it came to be.We learn about the Flatout Games Colab, how it works and about the titles coming from the Colab in the future including 'Calico', and 'Cascadia'. The three tell us about their design philosophy and the spirit of collaboration that has lead to their success.TestCoastGames-020-flatout-games.mp3http://twitter.com/FlatoutGames

We bring you a Virtual Events Report with content accessible from wherever you are.  Tabletop.Events is hosting a digital protospiel con.The Vancouver BC game store, Magic Stronghold is taking their Magic the Gathering events online. Find out more at their Facebook page. Past TestCoast guest Scott Rogers is sharing daily challenges for "Pantone the Game on Facebook and Twitter.Storm Chaser Games is sharing daily challenges of their game "Medium" on Twitter.Asmodee has made some of their more family friendly games available as Print and Play files. Titles include games and demo from popular series such as Spot-It, Timeline and Unlock. This is on top of the Love Letter variant "Sender" that they released a few days ago. ButtonShy games has added a number of their titles to the dozens of free games available at pnparcade.com.Days of Wonder is offering a Print and Play version of their roll and write Corinth at their website.Osprey Games is giving away a number of free PDF downloads such as their fantasy wargame "Frostgrave" at their website.WizKids has made a version of their roll and write "Super Skill Pinball" from designer Geoff Engelstein available at their website.Portal games and Garphill Games has made print and play expansions for a number of their games available at their websites.More publisher responses to the Covid-19 pandemic can be found here:https://print-and-play.asmodee.funhttps://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/271049/publisher-covid-19-response-offers-free-stay-home And now for a podcast announcement:For a number of reasons outside of our control, we will be releasing the show on a less regular schedule. Please bear with us. We haven't given up just yet. I hope you will have patience with us as come to terms with the new normal in early 2020.We at TestCoast Games hope that you are staying safe and staying connected while distancing yourselves physically. We hope to see you at the gaming table very soon. Virtual-Events-Report-005-april-2020.mp3

We speak to Andrea Driedger, owner of Adventure Dice and Communications lead for the Terminal City Tabletop Convention.We learn how Andrea started Adventure Dice from a place of adversity, and developed it into a successful business and an outlet for her creativity.We discuss how games can be used in the age of Covid-19 and how they must change to meet our current needs.Andrea recounts how difficult it was to cancel TCTC. But rather than succumbing to her own disappointment, she channeled it into the first ever, virtual TCTC on Twitch.TestCoastGames-019-andrea-driedger-of-adventure-dice.mp3https://twitter.com/terminalcityconhttps://roll20.net/http://holdthefort.ca/

A panel of friends comes together to discuss how best to stay connected during this global pandemic. Featuring Nick Angiers, Mark Ellis, Marcel Perro and Mark Yuasa.TestCoastGames-panel-001-stay-connected.mp3We discuss a number of tools and topics including:BoardGameArena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia Tilt 5 Vorpal Board Teburu Twitch.tv TCTC Virtual Convention Discord GenCon / GenCan’t Origins / NoriginsVancouver Playtest Group GAC virtual meetup groups Nerdlab / Mastermind Groups Tokaido DigitalBooks by Geoff EngelsteinGametek Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design 

We speak to Ken Nishidate and Dan Szukalow of The Raving Gamer Bistro in Langley, BC.In addition to being Langley's first board game restaurant, the Raving Gamer is a retail game space with a full-service bar.Ken is the master of the Kitchen and Dan is the Master of Games. We learn about the struggles they faced in getting their family-run business off the ground. Our own Mark Ellis gives his perspective from his recent visit to the bistro.Ken tells us about the unique culinary creations he crafts with help from local bakeries, cheese-mongers and distilleries. Dan tells us about the joy of introducing new games to skeptical patrons and the challenges of finding the right games to please a big crowd.https://theravinggamer.ca/the-games/https://blackwalnutcatering.ca/https://goo.gl/maps/vZWR4iJiB4mBnyQx9TestCoastGames-018-the-raving-gamer-bistro.mp3

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Chris Morris is a Kelowna, B.C. based designer of Victorian Gardens, City of Glass, and DinoPark (coming soon). IS-003-chris-morris.mp3 https://twitter.com/SpyderMo 

We speak to Shannon Lentz, project manager at Panda Games Manufacturing and organizer of the Terminal City Tabletop Convention that takes place in Vancouver, BC in  March 2020. Shannon tells us the origin story of TCTC and some of the challenges he faced in making the first one happen.In addition to the amazing Games Library, we discuss the Used Marketplace, #Catan National Qualifier Tournament, Kids Corner, RPG Room and amazing activities that makes TCTC Vancouver's original community con.We also discuss the ever-popular Proto Alley where some familiar names will present their protoypes. There may be a hint at a future spin-off event in the works. Just saying.TestCoastGames-017-shannon-lentz-tctc.mp3http://www.terminalcitytabletop.com/volunteer/ https://twitter.com/terminalcitycon

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication.  Marcel Perro is a Vancouver BC-based independent designer, apprentice member of the Game Artisans of Canada, organizer of the Indie Alley at Terminal City Tabletop Convention and co-designer of "For Greed or Glory."IS-002-marcel-perro.mp3https://twitter.com/MarcelPerrohttps://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/170300/wombat-rescuehttps://stumptowngamesummit.com/  https://gimletmedia.com/shows/every-little-thing/39hwnw  https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/v4hvww 

We speak to Emma Larkins, designer of "...And Then We Died" and the forthcoming "Abandon All Artichokes," Twitch streamer, and co-host of the Ludology podcast.Emma tells us how she got into tabletop game design from a unique direction as a science fiction author. We talk about #GAMEDESIGNDAILY and her tips on how to stay motivated and engaged with the game design community.Emma shares some very powerful advice on how under-represented members of the hobby can be welcomed by those in the industry.She tells us about the philosophy that has shaped her outlook on her game designs and life as a whole.EpisodeTestCoastGames-016-emma-larkins.mp3Linkshttps://twitter.com/emmalarkinshttps://www.twitch.tv/emmalarkins https://www.youtube.com/user/elarkins The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication.  Thomas Hanna is a Vancouver BC-based independent designer of the card game Nuke.IS-001-thomas-hanna.mp3

Austin of PacificNW Gamer gives us the rundown on tabletop gaming events happening in Washington and Oregon State during February-March of 2020.  PNW-Events-Report-002.mp3Washington Events Oregon Events PacificNW Gamer on YouTube.

We speak to Jonathan Ying, designer of Star Wars: Imperial Assault, Bargain Quest and Power Rangers: Heroes of the Grid. Jonathan recounts how he became an associate designer at Fantasy Flight Games, and how he made a lasting contribution to Star Wars lore.He tells us how his experience as a visual artist and author contributes to his game designs, and what it was like to work with his sister Victoria on BargainQuest.After working on licenses like Doom, Star Wars, Sonic the Hedgehog, Nickelodeon, and Power Rangers, Jonathan reveals just what his ultimate game property would be. TestCoastGames-015-jonathan-ying.mp3http://www.ateasegames.com/ http://www.gameempire.com/ https://m.youtube.com/user/chezapoctube https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers https://whatever.scalzi.com/about/a-brief-biography-of-john-scalzi/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44417151-diana-princess-of-the-amazons

What game spawned pop culture phenomena like Stranger Things, Magic the Gathering and World of WarCraft? You can probably guess from the colourful title, but you will still want to hear Kennedy's personal story of how he discovered this Stroke of Genius.Host: Kennedy Goodkeysog-02-Murder-Hobos.mp3

Our panel of guests discuss games we played in 2019, games we want to play more of in 2020, and our design goals for the new year.TestCoastGames-014-2020-resolutions.mp3

We speak to Jay Cormier, Vancouver-based game designer of Belfort, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Junk Art and many more. Jay tells us about the merits of working in design partnerships and belonging to the Game Artisans of Canada. He recounts how he and his long-term design partner Sen-Foong Lim pitched their first games and made their initial industry connections.We learn about his new publishing company, Off the Page Games and their forthcoming game MIND MGNT, based on the hit comic book by Matt Kindt.Stick around til the end of the episode to lean about the comedian who inspires him to keep expanding into new ventures. Fact of the show: Jay tells us how he and Sen popularized the board game sellsheet! Linkshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9vUF1Z0WZE6juTVxs9I1YA https://failfaster.ca/ https://inspirationtopublication.wordpress.com/ https://www.indiegamealliance.com/ Episodehttps://testcoastgames.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/TestCoastGames-013-jay-cormier-of-off-the-page-games.mp3

Nick Angiers of Meeple Leaf Board Gaming Events speaks with Kennedy Goodkey of Muffins: the Gathering, the casual, Saturday morning Board games meetup in Vancouver, BC.Vancouver-Events-Report-004-Kennedy-Goodkey-Muffins-the-Gathering.mp3

We speak to Eric Raué, Vancouver based game designer of Town Builder: Coevorden (2019) and member of the Game Artisans of Canada.Eric tells us about his early love of video games and the one that inspired him to start designing games.We learn about Town Builder and just how to pronounce Coevorden ("coup-for-dunn"). Eric tells about working with local publisher First Fish games and their successful Kickstarter campaign.We learn about the Game Artisans of Canada and how they help new designers hone their craft.TestCoastGames-012-eric-raue-of-the-GAC.mp3

Nick Angiers of Meeple Leaf Board Gaming Events speaks with Robert Bottos of BottosCon.Vancouver-Events-Report-003-robert-bottos-bottoscon.mp3

We speak with JC of Vancouver, BC-based Fourtato Games. Their first game Chicken Heist,  a Press-Your-Luck, Player Elimination card game recently funded on Kickstarter. JC tells us the unique methods they used to create and develop Chicken Heist.  We learn how Fourtato Games went from 4 friends to a trans-Pacific game publishing start-up.  JC shares personal highlights from their successful Kickstarter campaign and gives advice for those seeking to crowd-fund their own projects.Hosts: Mark Ellis and Mark Yuasahttps://fourtato.com/index.php/articles/ https://twitter.com/FourtatoGames TestCoastGames-011-JC-of-Fourtato-Games.mp3

Nick Angiers of Meeple Leaf Board Gaming Events speaks with Alycia of the West End Board Game Meetup. Vancouver-Events-Report-002-Alycia-West-End-Board-Game-Meetup.mp3

We interview Nicole Jekich, co-designer of Food Truck Champion, Director of Events for PlaytestNW, and Producer/Game Developer at Funko Games. Nicole describes the ins-and-outs of her role as a Producer, the difference between working with a large publisher vs a small publisher. We talk about the games and themes, such as food, that inspire her. Nicole shares the story of how PlaytestNW started and her advice on how to build a strong game design community. Hosts: Tammy Lyon and Mark Yuasa  TestCoastGames-010-nicole-jekich.mp3https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/51464/nicole-jekich  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejekich https://twitter.com/NJekich https://www.forrest-pruzan.com/team.html https://twitter.com/playtestNW

In episode 1 of our new segment, "Stroke of Genius", Kennedy Goodkey examines the game mechanisms and innovations that take a game from good to genius.Featuring the Pandemic Infection Deck.Stroke of Genius - 01 Pandemic Infection Deck.

We interview Darryl Boone, owner of Pizzeria Ludica board game restaurant. We learn how Darryl started Ludica with a simple vision and no previous restaurant experience, and turned it into Vancouver, BC’s most popular board game restaurant. Darryl shares his techniques for introducing board games to a range of audiences, and his opinion on Spiel des Jahres winning games.Visit one of Pizzeria Ludica’s locations in Downtown Vancouver and New Westminster, featuring a combined library of over 1000 games. Vancouver189 Keefer Place604-669-5552New Westminster601 Carnarvon Street604-553-2232Hosts: Mark Ellis and Mark Yuasa   http://www.ludica.ca/https://twitter.com/PizzeriaLudica

Five attendees give their thoughts on the SHUX 2019 boardgame convention that took place in Vancouver, BC through October 4 and 6th. We have a quick recap of the AWW-SHUX publisher speed-dating event.We discuss: The venue and event organization, the attendance and the general vibe.The games library and the games we played.The panels we attended.What could be improved for next year's SHUX.And other personal highlights!Featuring Nick Angiers, Mark Ellis, Kennedy Goodkey, December Goodkey and Mark Yuasa.  Shout-outs go to:Shut Up and Sit Down, AEG, Agentdave7, Asmodee Canada, Chris Morris, Emma Larkins, First Fish Games, Gold Nugget Games, Isaac Vega, Jay Cormier, Jonathan Thwaites, Matt Leacock, Off The Page Games, OOMM Games, Plaid Hat Games, Raincity Games, Roxley Games, Sen-Foong Lim, Zev Shlasinger, the Pearagons and so many more!

We interview Scott Rogers, author, professor of interactive media, video game industry veteran, co-host of the Ludology podcast, and designer of Pantone: the Game. Scott recounts highlights from his career designing video games. We learn how his work as a Disney Imagineer would become the foundation for their latest Galaxy's Edge attraction.Scott teaches us about the “Primary Action,” “Designer Blinders” and other game design advice he gives his own students. We find out how Scott joined the Dice Tower, his involvement in the Los Angeles design scene, the origin story of the Mighty Bedbug and more about his incredible career in games.Hosts: Mark Ellis and Mark Yuasa   https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/164147/rayguns-and-rocketships https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/287744/warlocks-eye http://mrbossdesign.blogspot.com https://youtu.be/wtmTlhqivlk