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What’s your board game story? In today’s episode Bruce interviews Erin Dean, the author of “For the Love of Board Games – a Book for Board Gamers and the Producer/Director/Editor of the YouTube documentary “The Board Game Boom.” Erin talks with Bruce about her experience interviewing more than 50 board game designers about the stories behind their designs, their introduction to gaming, and so much more. This unique perspective reveals impactful and lasting stories for the betterment of the board game community.
To learn more about Board Game Impact you can:
Join the Patreon: Board Game Impact
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You can learn more about Erin’s work at:
Erin’s For The Love of Board Games Podcast/Website: ForTheLoveOfBoardGames.com
Facebook: For the Love of Board Games Book Page & Podcast Page
Order a copy of Erin’s book on Kickstarter: “For the Love of Board Games – a Book for Board Gamers
Watch the documentary: “The Board Game Boom”
Transcription:
00:00:03 - 00:05:00 Welcome to board game impact podcast where we look into board card dice and other game related topics of interest. So that way, you can know their potential impact for when they hit the table for your gaming group today, I'm joined by special guest who has interviewed more than fifty board game designers for her book further. Love of games a book for board gamers. Welcome back to another episode of board game impact. My name is Bruce Brown and he can find me on board game geek as Bruce Brown, and you can also find me on all the social media sites is board game impact today. We have a very special guest joining us for the show, can you? Please introduce yourself and tell the listeners had to connect with your work. Yes. My name is Aaron dean on the author of four. The love of board games a book for board gamers, which is now on Kickstarter to connect with me, you can reach out to me on Facebook by just searching my name, Aaron dean and the best way to kind of stay updated with my work is the joy in our Facebook groups for the love of board game stash book, and for the love of board games dash podcast. And then we also have a website under that same name for the love of board games dot com. Awesome. So Erin, you've got this amazing book coming out. You've also made a video documentary on YouTube, that is called the board game, boom that came out in two thousand seventeen so can you please tell our listeners more about your content, and inspired? You create these awesome things. So, basically, the main thing that has been inspired me with these projects is basically. I am just a huge board gamer these both the documentary, I created and the book, I've written are huge passion. Projects for me. I find it fun to talk about board games because I'm a gamer myself, I play board games all the time. I run a weekly board game night with some Saint Louis natives and yeah, it's just been great. And it's been really awesome to connect with some really cool people in the industry, fantastic. So in your book, can you tell the listeners about the content of the book because I think it's pretty unique. Yeah. So this book interviews over. Fifty board. Game designers everywhere from Bruno Catolica Jamie, Steg Meyer, Richard Garfield a lot of big names in the industry, and I interview them because a lot of people play these games and they don't really know about the people behind the games. They don't know about who these people are that actually created them. And I always find it interesting interesting to hear the back story of these types of games. So, you know, there wasn't really any book out there that was exploring that. So I'm like, I'm going to have to do it myself. So I interviewed all these designers asked them about their history with board gaming how they got into designing games games. They designed that never got published some of the creative processes behind their most popular games, and so on and so forth and what I found is very interesting. And I think others will find it interesting too. That's been tastic. So I actually did some research, as well and your. Absolutely right. You hit the nail on the head with the subject matter of your book in that the content that's out there right now is really essentially, hey, here's some tips on designing your game. So you've got the white box of game design which gives you components, and some different run throughs that you can play with to kind of get that creative process going, you've got the cabal guide to game design which interviews these people. But from the perspective of these are the things you need to think about right. So it's focused on the content what I think is really unique. And that you just talked about, is that you're interviewing these designers who have been interviewed in some of these other books, or wrote forwards and some of these books, but from a very different perspective. And that is capturing their story, which I think we all have a story and not all of us tell it, and I think that your book is doing a lot of really good Justice to you that I've read the chapter from Richard Garfield and Richie talks about some of the struggles going back and forth between different designs and somehow it took maybe ten years for some of these projects, a launch or launched into something never expected. But it's. Really capturing that essence of that story. And I got to ask, how do you go into these interviews and capture that narrative that's going on? And then write it in a way to actually hold onto that spirit of that story. Yes. So, you know, I went to school for video production. So a lot of the work, I was doing in school was, I was interviewing people to get stories on film. So this is nothing different from that except it's in written form, rather than video form. So I know how to write story, eliciting questions and to get that story out of people, you know, the stories out of people where it provokes a thought it provokes a memory a moment in their life that people, you know, otherwise when it know about. 00:05:00 - 00:10:02 So, I guess, to answer your question I, I was just, you know, I know how to get stories out of people by framing the right questions and kind of framing and away. Hey, where it does elicit stories. And then, you know, I've written the current sample chapter. That's on my Kickstarter is written in third person. I've now decided after talking to my editor that I've hired that it would be better to make it first person. So it's really truly coming from the designers in their own words. And I think people are going to really appreciate that perspective. So how has it been to actually, hold these interviews with these different famous designers that many of us have just seen as a name in the box, and somebody that is all inspiring to many of us a dream job that many would like to have? What's that process been like I mean, all these designers have been really down to earth, people, some of them aren't even fulltime designers. Some of them it's just a side gig that they do for fun. And that's really interesting to that, you know, maybe for five years, they were a part time designer. And now they've finally become full-time. Even hearing their stories in that regard have have been very interesting. And you know, once I got their contact information. I did not. I mean almost every designer I reached out to was willing to be interviewed, and they I mean, people love talking about themselves people love talking about their stories and this was no different from that. And. Get I, I would encourage you if you're wanting to get into the board game industry, whether it's through game design or social media are marketing, or whatever you whatever your professional background is reach out to publishers reach out to designers. They are going to be more than willing to talk to you. If you just make the effort to reach out to them and do a little research beforehand. That's fantastic to hear and it should be hopefully, inspiring to many of our listeners who go to all these conventions see these different individuals. And then sometimes kick themselves at the end of the day is like I had that moment I could have interacted. So in these conversations you've had with them and you talked about being able to ask questions. That generate great stories and really pull on those heartstrings and pull on their memories and you're able to translate that into film and book, what's a story, this really stuck with you. What am I favored stories out of all the designers, I interviewed was from Evan Derek, who works for van writer games? He's the creative director there and he designs games for them. He designed a game that was on Kickstarter. It's still being fulfilled right now. So it's not in retail, but it's called detective city of angels. It's kind of deduction gained that takes place in LA. I think it's a nineteen forties or fifties. But it's a very, very cool game that I personally backed. I wanted to know the story behind it. He was talking about how there was a time where he was out to or out to dinner with his wife, and while they were out to dinner her car got broken into and her purse was stolen and her her backpack with all her art sketches because she's an artist were stolen. And she was really, really bummed and devastated about that. So evan. Kind of got into the mind of the Robert. I'm like, okay, I hear was the car where would I go I, I'd probably go down the stark alley because there's not a lot of lights and he actually kinda got in the mind of the robber and then actually found the bag his wife's bag in a dumpster. And he was like how can I recreate this kind of feeling of being a detective in a game? And that's the inspiration behind it. So I was like, well, that is like the coolest story ever and no one and no one knew that until I you know, interviewed him about it. And I just found that so interesting that, you know, these inspiration behind these board games can come from the strangest, you know, coolest stories ever. Legitimately that is one of the most interesting stories I've ever heard about where a board game or some different things come from. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense, because we have these different experiences in life or we read these different texts, and we incorporate them into our own minds and make our own narratives from them. I know in the Richard Garfield chapter, he talks about the creative process behind Indy. But then also looking at the tales of the Arabian nights and how pulling some of those lessons actually influenced some of the characters that he made four magic the gathering as well as the spirit of some of that game. So it makes perfect sense that, hey, going through this for some would be a very traumatic event of having your wife's purse robbed. Actually living that experience would give that content that they could live with. Wow. That is incredible. And so you've gotten. So that's just one of how many designers fifty three. So I mean and mo- most of the designers I interviewed I interviewed them about multiple multiple game designs they, they did. 00:10:02 - 00:15:28 So that's just one example of probably one hundred games that are talked about in the book. So you had this study for film, and for capturing stories when did that I click to combine that with your also your passion for board games. You know, when I was in, when I was at my university, you know, every time I was given a film projects or a class assignment of sorts. I always wanted to do it about board games because my two passions are video production and board games. So why not combine the two it wasn't really a specific moment of it clicking on my mind? It was just, you know, I've always been a board gamer, and I've always enjoyed making films, so why not combine the two. So when I was given the opportunity and a class, I was in, I was in class called documentary production, and we had to create a ten minute documentary short on a subject of our choosing. And I was like, oh my gosh, this has to be about board games. So now you know, I interviewed a lot of Saint Louis local board game professionals designers, developers publishers things of that nature. And I did this ten minutes short of y board game sales are rising on a digital culture. And now it's up to, you know, thirty thousand organic views, which is really, really cool. Congrats on the success of that, as well as all the other claims are coming with this book. I know many people are excited about it. So what's the process been like for you that you put this content out there? And what's that feedback been like, and how's that been affirming? 'cause I assume it's got to be affirming. Combining two passions. Yeah. And I think just hearing people's feedback like all my gosh. Thank you, for making this, or thank you for doing this, or all my gosh, I wish think more things like this existed. That's always it feels so good to me. Because it's like, wow, people are appreciating my work and they to our board gamers, and they're also craving, this time type of content, which is really, really awesome to hear. And I think more and more as the board game hobby becomes more and more popular. We're going to start seeing a lot of different forms of content, which I'm really excited for so speaking of things, being excited and exciting and new content coming out in many different arenas. What's been most exciting through this entire process, and then also how has this influenced your love of the hobby even more so potentially? Well this being my firm. Kick starter and its success, the fact that it's been almost, you know, five times funded I it has sparked so many more ideas in me, and I cannot wait to share some more projects that I have coming up with fellow board gamers. And I think, you know, doing these types of projects, you know, really really makes me appreciate the hobby and I know that this is a passionate. I'm going to have for the rest of my life. So speaking of that passion in your in the chapter that I was able to read through the end of it. It also talked about where these passions come from for these different individuals. And also in the beginning. So Richard Garfield for talking about really maximizing the outcome of the games that they had right? But then also finding that the kind of the cult of the new as we call it now like that crave for new knowledge, right? What is your background in gaming? So what are some of the things that have been? Fired you to get to this point or some of the games that have been influential for you. So a lot of the games I played as a child where the traditional mash mass market game. So I played candy LAN monopoly all those terrible games that I could not even touch anymore. But like when I was in high school, I believe I was a junior sophomore in high school. I was gifted ticket to ride by one of my aunts, and I fell in love with the game. No one was flipping over the table. The game was really fresh and had a lot of different modes for strategy, and I did not stop after that point, I found out about board game, geek and started researching other games, and now I have a collection of almost one hundred fifty games. And I host a game night twice a week. I am creating this board game content I do a podcast that we're up to nine episodes. We're going to start releasing them because I've been stockpiling them. But Bill, they'll yeah, thank you, that'll be releasing. Soon. So every every free, you know, moment I have, it's it's board game related, and I wouldn't have it any other way, I've always been someone where I've wanted to work on the board game industry for a while now but I don't have the I don't have the desire to design my own game. I don't have the desire to make you know, board game reviews and cover board games, you know, on a regular basis, I I'm someone who I, I want to look at the industry, and I want to see what other people aren't doing and look at it from a kind of investigative point of view, like why aren't they doing it? And so I always try to create something that no one has done before or at least kind of approach it in a different angle, and it's worked out, really. 00:15:28 - 00:20:01 Well, and I, I have a huge project. I've been working on for the past couple months, that I cannot wait to announce this is something the industry has not seen. Other industries have it. But this is something that has been untouched and I can't wait to announce it. So stay tuned in the next couple of weeks. Yeah. So I'm very, very excited about it ad. I can't wait to share it fantastic. And I cannot wait to hear what that is. And you'll have to follow up. So that way we can talk about what talk about at once it actually comes out and is announced. So I'd be amidst ask. So I think that is an absolutely fantastic way to approach any new thing. And that is let's find essentially the nexus of here's one thing, here's another. But here's the thing, that's not really not really been covered in find that perfect sweet spot in the middle that you can leverage where your talents and passions lives. It sounds like he's exactly what you've been doing right regulations on breaking through that wall and getting into the industry because you have, and you've been able to network with all these individuals. Now I'm curious for you to hear from you. Where does that creativity? Come from. I mean, I've always been a creative person. I think I made my first film when I was in kindergarten and it was called super guy it was. Like with puppets. And it was like a superhero kind of puppet video and. Yeah. And I've always, I've just always had a creative spark in me. But I feel like recently I've really started to channel that energy and really have taken it in a direction that I think there's a future for. So I'm very excited to see what the future holds and where the industry is going. And one of the thing I wanted to mention was, I'm also the part time social media manager for lucky. Duck games there the creators behind Vikings gone wild fruit ninja jetpack joyride chronicles a crime. And the reason I got that job is because I stacked the odds, and my favor. So my advice to people who want to work in the industry is do something, you're not being asked to do. So when I reached out to lucky duck I kind of research publishing companies that I thought were on the brink of hiring a social media manager. I looked at thirteen pages. They didn't have a social media manager, but they're getting big enough, where it's like, okay. They might be considering it. So I reached out to those. Game publishers, and arty came in with a targeted social media plan with all my ideas, and how we can improve the social media, and, you know, something that wasn't required for, you know, and didn't even necessarily have a job posting about, but just identifying those companies you wanna work for and are excited to work for, and then figuring out what your professional background is and where you can help and what they're missing is key. So there's a wonderful book out there, and I think that is some very sage advice, and it goes right in line at this is a wonderful book out there calls called how full is your power shoot in which they talk about essentially doing your homework exactly what you were doing. Finding those opportunities and kind of figuring out the timing, but then realizing you're up in the plane, whoever Haya distance and you got to be able to make the jump, but realize like your power shoot will deploy, but there's gonna be a time where it was like, oh, I don't know how this is going kind of falling through mid air. What, what did it feel like for? You to get that. Yes. It just it just, you know, hard work pays off. That's I mean, this is simple as I can put it, you know, obviously, I got some knows before then, but when I got to that, yes, it was just like this was all worth it. The research was were worth it. Putting the effort into the social media plan was worth it. And it's really just like I said, stacking the odds in your favor, you know, to get what you want ultimately, and so, in all this just to kind of sum up, what's been a nother important lesson that you've learned in working with all these fantastic designers. I think the biggest lesson that I've learned as far as game design goes as to get your idea on paper. I think that a plies for any, you know, anything you're doing, whether it's game, design or content creation or whatever get your idea out of your head, and onto paper or on video or onto a Google doc or something. So you can actually start to work towards. Rather than just letting it live in your head. I that's what I've heard from a lot of designers. And I totally agree with their advice on that. 00:20:02 - 00:22:16 Okay. Great. So I think that's about all the time we have for today, but I do want to encourage listeners to go out and if you can find a copy go on there, go online and get a copy of for the love of board games. Go check that out. But can you please remind our listeners of how they can actually track down a copy of that fantastic book, as well as connect with your other work. Yes. So just by searching for the love of board games on Kickstarter will allow you to find my book. And even when the Kickstarter ends. If you're watching this at a later or listening to this at a later date, you'll be able to still preordered the book when the Kickstarter ends, there'll be a button on the top of the page where you can do that. And as far as keeping track with my upcoming projects definitely go and check out for the love of board games dot com. And join my Facebook groups for the love of board games dash book, and for the love of board games. Dash podcast. Well, thank you so much earn for joining us. This has been really enlightening conversation for me and I know our listeners are going to get a lot of joy out of this, but it's really inspiring to hear from you and all the success that you've been able to have as well as some of those really impactful stories that you've been able to capture. So thank you for spending time with today, and all the hard work, you've been doing thank you so much for having me on the show. This was awesome. Again. My name is Bruce Brown, if you'd like to know more about Erin end her book all the information will be provided in the show notes. Thanks for listening to board game impact. I hope that learning about what experiences are going on for me helps make him positive impact for your gaming group. You can learn more about the show by visiting board game impact dot com, V avenue topics that you'd like to have discussed, please Email me at board game impact at gmaiLcom, please follow us on Instagram and, like our Facebook page at board game impact. Thank you, to are phenomenal patriot backers and pave all donors for supporting the show and making all of this possible. If you enjoyed the show at greatly appreciate it, if you'd take a quick minute. And if you could share this with some friends, and especially rated on ITN's in any other platform that you might be enjoying this content from as it greatly helps get our show out there and help spread the word to others until next time go have a positive impact on the world.