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I was thinking about a time when my department head came to my game design class unannounced to evaluate my teaching, and I wasn’t “lecturing” to the students. They were working on game projects. (This was not an introductory class.) She seemed surprised that I wasn’t lecturing, but that may be because she typically taught introductory computer literacy style classes such as how to use Microsoft Office. Classes that teach use of specific office software can be taught more or less by rote: if you want to make something bold you highlight it and press control-B or click the Bold button. If you change margins you do thus and so. And so forth.

These intro software classes don’t have to be taught entirely by rote but commonly they are, complete with what I call “monkey books”.

I like the idea of a modular map and a fog-of-war effect, where parts of the map are not available until players have explored them.

In project KQ I'm using a medieval fantasy knights theme, so the map is prototyped as hex tiles with several features on them.

Adventurers have to dig around a bit before finding what they are looking for and game design, at least for me, is about the same. I'm ok with a long season in the field: good things take time.

I do have a theme: it's a little bit "Forbidden Island", a dash of J.J. Abrams, and a little bit of "The Goonies." No specifics yet especially as the mischievous backstabbing of "Munchkin" has decided to show itself. I'm also playing around with including Indiana Jones knapsack in the game.

It's a little messy.

Working Title: KQ

2-6 Players, 60-120 Mins, 11+

What: KQ is a robust game of exploration, area control, resource management, and character development. Each of 2-6 players takes possession of a Home. From that Home all activities of the game spring. They may construct improvements within their castle, providing game-benefits to their play – additional resource generation; magic spells, additional defenses, etc.... Players may construct dwellings for fantastic creatures that can aid them in their cause.

My wife and I bought five games about a week ago: piece of cake, forbidden island, carcassonne, the adventures, and flashpoint. We've played three of them so far and all I can say is: I'm hooked. 

It's not the first time I've played a 'non-traditional' board game (in which traditional is along the likes of monopoly or life) but it is the first time I have dived head first into the world of modern board games. It also helps that my wife seems to be just as smitten with the games as I am.