Designer Diary: Combo Creatures
by Christian K
This designer diary explores the development journey of Combo Creatures: The Quick Ones and Combo Creatures: The Witty Ones.
Prologue
Game designers Michael Lohde Andersen and Christian Kudahl met during a release party at their local Board Games Café, Papas Papbar. Their initial conversation about games sparked an exciting collaboration that would ultimately lead to the creation of a new board game. What began as a casual encounter transformed into a partnership focused on game design.
10 Years Later
While the journey began light-heartedly, it didn’t take long for the duo to start working together seriously. They experimented with various game ideas, struggling initially to find a project that resonated with both. After several attempts, the concept of “Faunas,” which later evolved into Combo Creatures, emerged as a refreshing change. The initial prototype was fast-paced and brimming with unexpected moments that prompted the designers to question the game’s mechanics constantly. The answer was always a resounding “yes” to their creative ideas.
The Game
The mechanics of Combo Creatures are straightforward yet engaging. Players hold a hand of cards and, on their turn, select one to play. Each card has a cost that must be paid by discarding other cards, activating powerful play abilities that often allow for additional moves.
- Fast-paced gameplay
- Simple rules that mirror the original prototype
- Ability to trigger exciting combos
- Minimal rules complexity, focusing on strategy
To streamline the experience, the game limits the number of unique cards to just seven. This design choice helps players quickly familiarize themselves with the cards and concentrate on strategizing their moves rather than deciphering extensive card texts.
A Unique System
The design team sought to enhance the variety within the game while keeping the card count low. This led to a modular deck system where each card features three variations with different costs. The cost of a card correlates directly with its point value, creating an engaging dilemma for players: should they opt for multiple low-cost cards or a few high-cost cards?
This balance was critical to gameplay, necessitating that each ability be exceptionally powerful to maintain strategic depth. The designers embraced this challenge, leading to the development of exciting and dynamic card abilities that enhanced the game’s overall experience.
Pitching and Publication
The enthusiasm surrounding Combo Creatures caught the attention of several publishers, with DV Games expressing particular interest. The swift response from DV Games, including an offer for publication just days after the SPIEL Essen convention, underscored the game’s potential.
Working with DV Games has been a rewarding experience. The collaborative efforts from their editor, Marta, have been instrumental in refining the game. Witnessing the transformation of the game through Jeff Hong’s artwork has been a highlight for the designers.
Two distinct versions of the game, Combo Creatures: The Quick Ones and Combo Creatures: The Witty Ones, are being released simultaneously. While both are standalone games, they can be mixed for varied gameplay. The Quick Ones offers a more accessible experience, whereas The Witty Ones features intricate and strategic abilities.
Conclusion
After years of dedication and teamwork, Combo Creatures is nearing its release, marking both an end and a beginning for the designers. This launch is an opportunity for the broader audience to engage with the game, and the designers hope players will enjoy it as much as they have enjoyed creating it. Cheers and happy gaming!
Via BoardGameGeek Blog
