I don't know where you find the time to have a successful YT, design games, run game design workshops, be a dentist, and I assume still sleep and eat! Good on you! Don't burn yourself out
Thanks! Yes, it’s a lot of work :) I enjoy the CZcams and design stuff, so it’s no hardship. Still tricky to juggle dental work and home life though. I don’t get to play as many games as I would like, that’s for sure!!!
Hi Adam! I just discovered your channel and I'm loving everything so far :) I've self-published my first game called "Happy Ending", an erotic-theme game for adults, and I'm really happy to hear that it fits what you were saying about people looking for games as reasons to do things outside the norm! I do hope to make more games in the future (either more general audience, or continuing on my current theme)
This video reminded me of a description of comedy that I've seen where it's described as a "harmless violation" because it's breaking a rule but in a harmless way and that makes us laugh. It seems like there's some similarities between the fun of these taboo-breaking games and comedy. "Exploding Kittens" is another good example, it has a taboo-breaking idea right in the name, and in the hook of being a card game version of Russian roulette. Great video as always!
Huizinga (in his book Homo Ludens, 1938) talks about the ‘magic circle’ of games in which you are allowed to do things that normally wouldn’t be permitted, like lying, exploiting people etc. he suggests that this permitted, but transgressive behaviour is a big part in which games are fun.
I think a good angle for this kind of thing would be doing something awkward but appealing. Like holding another players hands while staring them in the eye without blinking. The game told you to do it so it's okay. You even get to potentially get to hold the hand of a crush and pretend that the game made you do it. Or just have a funny experience of just having to hold your dad's hand while he stares at you.
My party game has a 'naughty' but totally harmless hook. I'm currently watching your videos about self publishing, as that's probably the best route for me. I'm glad you think a game where players behave in a way they are not usually 'allowed' to is a promising formula.
I think my game has a great taboo hook for its genre, and while playtesting has suggested there's a strong audience for it, it's been tough to find a publisher who's available and interested so far.
@@edding8400 Self publishing isn't for everyone, and I know my limits. I just don't have the capacity to take all of that on, I'd feel much more comfortable and confident in my game working with a publisher.
I think it depends on the “taboo”. If your game involves “talking with your mouth full” or “jumping the queue” you might find a publisher. Those are terrible examples, but you get my point. Things which are not too challenging. If I could think of a good example, I’d be making it myself!!! lol. If your game focuses on profane language, or “saying the unsayable”, I think most of those games have found success through self-publishing. Publishers probably won’t risk their brand on such a game.
@@AdaminWales Oh no it's certainly nothing like those, more in line to things like Cheating Moth. A taboo that you don't normally get to do in games, rather than purely social
"Sex in a box!" It's so funny, from 60 years later, thinking of Twister as being dangerously naughty rather than a goofy game you could play with your nimble bendy kids and the creaky grownups together. Too bad I can't swipe that tagline for the board game I'm working on--I feel like that hook would perpetually work on the buying public, lol.
Thanks. I enjoyed looking into the history of it. I find that most of the traditional classic games and toys of the last century have fascinating stories behind them.
The Shining board game seems mild compared to the movie and definitely fluff compared to the book. I wonder how board games based on other Stephen King’s novels (not movies adaptations) would be received.
I’ll add it to my list of possible topics, but to be honest I’m not playing a lot of card games recently, so it isn’t something which I feel all that knowledgeable about right now!
Hi Adam, I finally was able to get a copy of Qwuzzle from the Netherlands. I wanted to play it right away with my game group but then I realized it just for two players. So now I'am looking forward to play it with another person. I think it would have worked also great for 4 or more players
Absolutely. Rob and I envisaged it as a multiplayer race - perhaps 1-3 players so it could be packaged as a cube(?) but the publisher made the tough decision to make it 1-2 player due to component cost. I must admit I have multiple sets, so I tend to play it with more people. But I doubt many people buy multiple copies of a game!
@@AdaminWales I also thought about getting a second copy but it was already hard to find the first one. I try it out and if I enjoy it, what I'am pretty sure about, I need to hunt down a second copy for sure.
I had no idea that Nerf was a brand invented in the 60s, and no idea that the Ouija board had been patented and sold in toy shops. Good question about taboos..... maybe a new take on strip poker?😊
Great summary of a simple to understand but hard to pull off concept! (Though, is cheating allowed by the rules still cheating technically speaking?) I know it's more of a BG taboo than a big social one, but would Scout forbidding the players to alter their hand after drawing count as a "rule breaker" in that regard? I know it felt very counterintuitive to me when I first played it.
I’m not sure it would count as breaking a taboo, but it’s still a good mechanical hook. “In this game, you cannot change the order of the cards in your hand!” It’s not going to get anyone saying, “Well, that’s it - I’m out! - should never be allowed!!” 😅 But it might be intriguing enough to entice someone into playing. Before Scout, that mechanism was used really effectively in Bohnanza. Both excellent games.
How do you choose who to pitch to? Do you pick one or two you really want to work with who think are suitable, or is it better to pitch to as many different publishers at the same time? Im (hopefully) starting out on the designer journey myself (also starting in Wales) and am currently designing and testing what I think are fun but simple card games.@@AdaminWales
I've always found Cards Against Humanity unfunny and foul for the sake of being irreverent. a much better but similar game that also works much better is Joking Hazard, by Cyanide and Happiness.
Yes, Cards Against Humanity is not something I enjoy playing either. The sense of humour is not to my taste. And I really dislike games with a single judge.
@@AdaminWales I sometimes do a house rule that everyone plays every round and everyone votes but can't vote on their own card or cards played. if there's an unlikely tie, no issue, we just move on.
I would put that in the “say the unsayable” category. Cards Against Humanity has monopolised “say the unsayable” so I don’t think there’s much to explore there. There’s a ton of racism in the world sadly, so I’m not even sure anyone would really be shocked by such a game. We don’t need games which cause harm. I’m much more interested in games which allow players to do “naughty” things which don’t hurt anyone (plenty of examples in the video: throwing balls in the house, pretending to summon demons, contorting yourselves around players of the opposite sex, lying, cheating, backstabbing).
I don't know where you find the time to have a successful YT, design games, run game design workshops, be a dentist, and I assume still sleep and eat! Good on you! Don't burn yourself out
Thanks! Yes, it’s a lot of work :) I enjoy the CZcams and design stuff, so it’s no hardship. Still tricky to juggle dental work and home life though. I don’t get to play as many games as I would like, that’s for sure!!!
Hope you don’t confuse the roles and play mankala with people teeth
Great to see you back on the videos Adam! Great new entry to 2024, with a nice challenge to us viewers and game enthusiasts. Great video.
Thanks Tom. I took a bit of a break throughout January, and have some good videos planned, but they’re taking a bit of time to put together :)
Hi Adam! I just discovered your channel and I'm loving everything so far :) I've self-published my first game called "Happy Ending", an erotic-theme game for adults, and I'm really happy to hear that it fits what you were saying about people looking for games as reasons to do things outside the norm! I do hope to make more games in the future (either more general audience, or continuing on my current theme)
This video reminded me of a description of comedy that I've seen where it's described as a "harmless violation" because it's breaking a rule but in a harmless way and that makes us laugh. It seems like there's some similarities between the fun of these taboo-breaking games and comedy. "Exploding Kittens" is another good example, it has a taboo-breaking idea right in the name, and in the hook of being a card game version of Russian roulette. Great video as always!
Huizinga (in his book Homo Ludens, 1938) talks about the ‘magic circle’ of games in which you are allowed to do things that normally wouldn’t be permitted, like lying, exploiting people etc. he suggests that this permitted, but transgressive behaviour is a big part in which games are fun.
Great video! Lots of cool history that I wasn't aware of, and a great element to think about when designing. Thanks!
I think a good angle for this kind of thing would be doing something awkward but appealing. Like holding another players hands while staring them in the eye without blinking. The game told you to do it so it's okay. You even get to potentially get to hold the hand of a crush and pretend that the game made you do it. Or just have a funny experience of just having to hold your dad's hand while he stares at you.
My party game has a 'naughty' but totally harmless hook. I'm currently watching your videos about self publishing, as that's probably the best route for me. I'm glad you think a game where players behave in a way they are not usually 'allowed' to is a promising formula.
Great video! Looking forward to more videos like this one in 2024! Happy New Year designers!
Fantastic video with an incredible intro (and a ton of research, we feel it). Good job!
Thanks for the kind feedback. Glad you enjoyed it :)
I think my game has a great taboo hook for its genre, and while playtesting has suggested there's a strong audience for it, it's been tough to find a publisher who's available and interested so far.
Self publish maybe?
@@edding8400 Self publishing isn't for everyone, and I know my limits. I just don't have the capacity to take all of that on, I'd feel much more comfortable and confident in my game working with a publisher.
I think it depends on the “taboo”. If your game involves “talking with your mouth full” or “jumping the queue” you might find a publisher. Those are terrible examples, but you get my point. Things which are not too challenging. If I could think of a good example, I’d be making it myself!!! lol.
If your game focuses on profane language, or “saying the unsayable”, I think most of those games have found success through self-publishing. Publishers probably won’t risk their brand on such a game.
@@AdaminWales Oh no it's certainly nothing like those, more in line to things like Cheating Moth. A taboo that you don't normally get to do in games, rather than purely social
"Sex in a box!" It's so funny, from 60 years later, thinking of Twister as being dangerously naughty rather than a goofy game you could play with your nimble bendy kids and the creaky grownups together. Too bad I can't swipe that tagline for the board game I'm working on--I feel like that hook would perpetually work on the buying public, lol.
Sects in a Bock!
Brewmasters compete to have their lagers chosen for special events by infiltrating religious groups with heresy and apocrypha.
Thanks, Adam! Great video. Things to think about.
I’m developing a series of games. I’ve got bad covered! Watch out for WOPEM!!!
Great overview and history lesson. Something to think about !
Thanks. I enjoyed looking into the history of it. I find that most of the traditional classic games and toys of the last century have fascinating stories behind them.
Great video👏👏👏
The Shining board game seems mild compared to the movie and definitely fluff compared to the book. I wonder how board games based on other Stephen King’s novels (not movies adaptations) would be received.
Can we get more card game mechanics videos, like the trick taking one? ❤️
I’ll add it to my list of possible topics, but to be honest I’m not playing a lot of card games recently, so it isn’t something which I feel all that knowledgeable about right now!
@@AdaminWales ok 👍 I understand 😃
Hi Adam, I finally was able to get a copy of Qwuzzle from the Netherlands.
I wanted to play it right away with my game group but then I realized it just for two players. So now I'am looking forward to play it with another person.
I think it would have worked also great for 4 or more players
Absolutely. Rob and I envisaged it as a multiplayer race - perhaps 1-3 players so it could be packaged as a cube(?) but the publisher made the tough decision to make it 1-2 player due to component cost. I must admit I have multiple sets, so I tend to play it with more people. But I doubt many people buy multiple copies of a game!
@@AdaminWales I also thought about getting a second copy but it was already hard to find the first one. I try it out and if I enjoy it, what I'am pretty sure about, I need to hunt down a second copy for sure.
The game Tinderblox is a nice example. The premise of playing with fire is to be trying to break some rules
I had no idea that Nerf was a brand invented in the 60s, and no idea that the Ouija board had been patented and sold in toy shops.
Good question about taboos..... maybe a new take on strip poker?😊
Great summary of a simple to understand but hard to pull off concept! (Though, is cheating allowed by the rules still cheating technically speaking?) I know it's more of a BG taboo than a big social one, but would Scout forbidding the players to alter their hand after drawing count as a "rule breaker" in that regard? I know it felt very counterintuitive to me when I first played it.
I’m not sure it would count as breaking a taboo, but it’s still a good mechanical hook. “In this game, you cannot change the order of the cards in your hand!” It’s not going to get anyone saying, “Well, that’s it - I’m out! - should never be allowed!!” 😅 But it might be intriguing enough to entice someone into playing.
Before Scout, that mechanism was used really effectively in Bohnanza. Both excellent games.
Always break the rules!
Being UK-based do you submit your games to UK-based companies or do you look worldwide? Cheers.
My published games are with companies in UK, Latvia, France, USA, Switzerland. I pitch to companies from all over the world :)
Cheers very much. @@AdaminWales
How do you choose who to pitch to? Do you pick one or two you really want to work with who think are suitable, or is it better to pitch to as many different publishers at the same time? Im (hopefully) starting out on the designer journey myself (also starting in Wales) and am currently designing and testing what I think are fun but simple card games.@@AdaminWales
How to choose the right publisher for your Board Game?
czcams.com/video/8FD-pvD6VBI/video.html
I've always found Cards Against Humanity unfunny and foul for the sake of being irreverent. a much better but similar game that also works much better is Joking Hazard, by Cyanide and Happiness.
Yes, Cards Against Humanity is not something I enjoy playing either. The sense of humour is not to my taste. And I really dislike games with a single judge.
@@AdaminWales I sometimes do a house rule that everyone plays every round and everyone votes but can't vote on their own card or cards played. if there's an unlikely tie, no issue, we just move on.
I agree about the single judge, couples always choose their significant other!
Wouldn’t a racist party game be taboo in 2024?
I would put that in the “say the unsayable” category. Cards Against Humanity has monopolised “say the unsayable” so I don’t think there’s much to explore there. There’s a ton of racism in the world sadly, so I’m not even sure anyone would really be shocked by such a game. We don’t need games which cause harm.
I’m much more interested in games which allow players to do “naughty” things which don’t hurt anyone (plenty of examples in the video: throwing balls in the house, pretending to summon demons, contorting yourselves around players of the opposite sex, lying, cheating, backstabbing).