I started a public Facebook group yesterday, Breaking Games Backstage. It’s been a fun time setting it up, and we’re off to a great start with lots of chat. I got the idea from Luke Laurie, who helps run the Manhattan Project Games Facebook group with James Mathe.

I love this industry because ideas are shared freely and advice, collaboration, and inspiration – particularly in designer circles – is the default.

On the Breaking Games Facebook group, I asked our designers to share about their projects, and Jeff Johnston (designer of MoonQuake Escape!) told a story about one of my favorite parts of the game making process – when someone finds your game and really enjoys it, and appreciates you for sharing it with them. Jeff wrote:

On the last day, with my energy flagging but realizing that for many people this is their first and only day so trying to keep up the pace, a couple returns to the booth. They’d been given one of Gamewright’s Sneaky Cards (a game concept I LOVE!) that said “Give this card to someone who made you smile.” They wanted me to have it. Nice moment, and then I was able to pass it along later that day.
JEFF JOHNSTON Game Designer

 

MoonQuake Escape!
 

Jeff said, and I agree, “just a small moment, but exactly why I’m in this hobby and I love it so much.”

Now I am inspired. Not just by Jeff, and moments like this, but by also by these Sneaky Cards (awesome idea Gamewright!). So from a forum to a designer to a blog post, here is my idea for today, for all of us:

GAMEMAKER PLAY IT FORWARD: GAMEMAKERS!

  • LET’S HEAR A STORY ABOUT WHO INSPIRED YOU IN THE GAME INDUSTRY
  • TELL US HOW SOMEONE HELPED YOU WITH A DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, DEVELOPMENT OR PUBLISHING QUESTION.
  • COMMENT IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT A GAME MAKER WHO MADE YOU A BETTER GAME MAKER!

We’ll make it a new Play it Forward Sneaky Card variant in the red category, connect.

After you share your awesome story about a mentor or friend in this process, let’s tell them about it, shouting it out here and on social media. Perhaps they will also mention a gamemaker inspiration here on the blog, and we’ll see other connections beyond our own!