Gleeson Games

This is my entry into the  Weird Giraffe Games 18 card game contest . It is based on the lore of Fire in the Library. 2 or 3 players, 5 minutes, 18 cards. As gifted scholars, you are working with Anuta the First, to gather books for the new Library. Your search will span the 4 sections of knowledge: Fables, Geography, History and War. Each section has 4 or 5 levels of knowledge. Even though you are competing to gather the most knowledge, you must also respect the teachings of Anuta, and share the knowledge you have gathered. The game is a mix of card drafting and set collecting. The rules are simple, with just 2 possible actions on each turn, but they open up a number of choices for strategic players. This game is available to play on Tabletop Simulator . Check out the full rules here:  Rule Book

My mint tin game, Hatching Dragons, currently available at The Game Crafter, is getting an upgrade. I have been developing an expanded game that plays up to 4 players - and also includes a solo mode. The worker placement and drafting mechanics that were the basis of the original are brought over, and I have added a few more worker options, more cards, skill upgrades, more components, and an overall improvement in strategic play. I'm in the process of finalising all the card designs, rules booklet and box art. Stay tuned...

In a first for me, I'm trying my hand at developing a Roll & Write game... or Flip & Write as it is in this case. This is my entry into  The Game Crafter: Staff Roll and Write Challenge . The game is based on piecing together a treasure map from fragments that are flipped over from the deck. So, the name of the game is "Treasure Flip". The fragments contain a section of path and 1 landmark. The landmarks are trees, water and rocks. There are 2 other types of card that may appear. The 'X' marks the treasure at the end of your path, and the Pirate Ship results in shrinking the available island map spaces to avoid pirates coming to shore. Score points from completed paths, groups of landmarks, and some special treasure locations. It is essentially a solo game, but can be played competitively by comparing final scores. As a bonus to you, the components are available online so that you can play for free using your browser, a sheet of paper, and a pen. C...

I have been looking into game design competitions lately. I see it as a good way to focus my creativity. Sometimes have specific restraints on a design can help you come up with new ways to make a game work. My first ever entry into a competition was one held by  Button Shy Games . The challenge was to come up with a game that contained 18 identical cards. Whilst this is quite a severe restriction, I was rather pleased that I managed to come up with a fun game idea. I playtested with a couple of different groups, and it was quite well received. I made a rather amateur looking video and sent it in. I had no expectations for success, and after seeing some of the other entries that made it into the top 20, my expectations were proven accurate. However it was a great experience and really helped look at my own designs with a more critical eye. I then came across the Mint Tin Challenge on  The Game Crafter . This is a great site where you can upload your game designs in compone...

For anyone interested in checking out my games in development, I will be available at PAX Australia as part of  PAX Collaboratory . This is a space where you can meet tabletop game designers, and play their new works under development. I'll be available o n Friday October 11th and Sunday October 13th, in the afternoon slots from 2pm to 6pm. Cauldron Bubble was selected to be play-tested, but I'll also have a few others to check out. Hope to see you there!

Objective To be the first Witch to create the 4  different  Advanced potions:  Beauty, Healing, Strength and Flying . Setup Determine the first player. Cauldrons are allocated from hottest to coldest, clockwise from the first player. All Potion cards are laid out face-up in the middle of the play area to create a central pool. The Ingredient cards are shuffled and placed in a draw pile. Turn Phases 1) Forage There are a number of forage locations equal to the player count + 1. Deal 1 Ingredient card to each location. (Deal 1 extra card to each for the first forage of the game.) In order from coldest to hottest cauldron, each witch can either: a) Select all Ingredients from 1 location OR b) Select 2 Ingredients from the draw pile. If the draw pile runs out, shuffle the discarded Ingredients to create a new draw pile. 2) Brew and Use Starting from the hottest cauldron, each witch may perform these actions: Brew a Potion from the central pool, with matching...

2-4 Players, 30 minutes play time. Cauldron Bubble is a card drafting and set collecting game. You play as a coven of witches who try to brew a set of potions to become the High Priestess. Brew your potions by collecting ingredients and potion recipes. Potions can be used against other witches to give you an advantage. Create the 4 different advanced potions to win. Cauldron Bubble - Rules