MeStarter #4 update 2: Theme

 MeStarter #4 update 2: Theme

Many game designers are asked “what do you start designing with: theme or mechanism?”*

For me, it’s 49/51 with theme taking the lead. Which begs the question; “which theme am I passionate enough about to spend the next 6-12 months making a game about?”

 

My usual answer is: there are three themes that I want to design games about: Star Wars, Batman and Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. I’ve come close to having games based on all three published… but not yet.

 

And then I am reminded of the sage words of my pal Hardy LeBel who said “make your own damn Star Wars.” **

 

There are currently three themes that intrigue me when considering designing a game with immersive table presence. They are: 

 

 

 1) An Indiana Jones-esque set in a trap-filled temple

 

 

2) A James Bond-esque spy thriller set in a multi-level casino

 

 

 3) An 80’s action game based in a “not” Die Hard’s Nakatomi Plaza Tower

 

I find all three themes exciting and I can already envision game play based on them. However, the real question is, which theme is most exciting to YOU since (hopefully) you will be backing this. (More on how you will be doing this in a future update)

 

Let me know which theme is the most exciting to you in the comments below!!

 

* My answer is usually “Why not both?”

** I did this when I created Rayguns and Rocketships.

Mestarter #4 update 3: Experimentation

Mestarter #4 update 3: Experimentation

I've mentioned that I often find inspiration in remix. Taking two (or more) ideas and smooshing them together to make something (hopefully) new.

Recently, my game group played an old favorite, Colt Express. IMHO, it's the poster child of a game with great table presence. In my mind, I started to wonder what Colt Express would be like if it were orientated vertically instead of horizontally. I decided to try it out.

Taking my copy of Colt Express, I mashed it up with another game, Ouija Manor, a little-known Prospero Hall game from 2024 with a dramatic board, just to see if it worked.

The good news is, "Colt Manor" as I dubbed it, worked really well - with only a few tweaks needed to accommodate the different play orientation. 

The bad news is, I don't want to just make "Colt Express meets Ouija Manor." I want to create something more original than that.

And I don't even know if there is interest in a game like this. Is there?

I will have to give this concept some more thought before I move forward with it.

I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 30

 I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 30

 Now that you have your game, you might notice a component isn't included. The rule book mentions player aid cards. However, these cards were removed to reduce costs (if you exceed the number of cards on a "sheet", you end up paying for the entire next sheet.) 

      

These things happen. Fortunately, all of the relevant information (genre and skill icons) are included in the rule book on the top of page 4.

I'm so grateful for all of my backers! Look at all of these happy faces! This is why I make games.

 

A reminder that you can still purchase I DO MY OWN STUNTS exclusively at Geeky Teas & Games, my favorite board game store in the universe.

I DO MY OWN STUNTS update 29

 I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 29

Aside from a few in-person deliveries, all of the copies of I DO MY OWN STUNTS are on their way to backers!!

 

 

Overall, 86 copies of the games were pre-ordered by backers out of the production run of 100 games. I kept some copies for my own library and for promotional purposes but I still have a case remaining. Eight copies of the game remain unclaimed… This is your only chance to own this version of the game, so don’t delay!

 

If you are interested in owning your own copy of I DO MY OWN STUNTS, please DM me for details. Please consider purchasing a copy, it will help me create more projects in the future!

I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 28

Deliveries have begun!!!

Over 60 games have been shipped worldwide! I will be reaching out to backers this weekend with shipping information.

I have hand-delivered many copies to friends and backers so far. This is my favorite part - seeing the happy owners of I DO MY OWN STUNTS! 

If you are one of the proud owners, don't forget to rate and review the game on Board Game Geek or your favorite social media platform!

Remember that if you missed backing I DO MY OWN STUNTS, there are still copies available at Geeky Teas & Games - who is exclusively carrying the game!

And if you selected local pick up, I will be at Geeky Teas & Games on Wednesday Feb. 18th and 25th from 7-10pm! Come and get your game! I'll see you there!

I DO MY OWN STUNTS update 27

Wow! Look at all of these boxes!

 

Back in June of 2025, I started development on a brand-new tabletop board game. The only thing I knew about it was I wanted it to be about Hollywood stunt people and rolling meeples. 

       

In addition, my personal goal was to create a game that, when I received it from the printers, it was whole, complete and sell-able. 

This week I received 12 and 1/2 cases of I DO MY OWN STUNTS from printer Gameland in China. I opened the half-case up and I am proud to say "mission accomplished!"

Every copy of I DO MY OWN STUNTS will be individually numbered. Only 100 copies have been made of this unique game and this version will never be reprinted again!

While the majority of copies of the games have been pre-sold, you can still buy a copy exclusively at Geeky Teas & Games in Burbank, CA or directly from me.

 

Next step, shipping out copies of the games to all of the backers!
 

I DO MY OWN STUNTS update 26

Just a short update this time!

A few weeks ago, I received this photo from GameLand, the game's printer. They were in the process of printing up the meeples and were concerned about the color of Oscar, the golden meeple. They didn't think it looked "gold" enough. I agreed. 

GOLD!!!!

I'm impressed with the level of detail they've been given my project, despite how "small" it is.

Also, they sent me photos of the pack-out for shipping the game. They let me know that the games should be shipping soon... as soon as this week! 

Exciting! 

I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 25

I DO MY OWN STUNTS Update 25

The wheels of production are turning!     

    

According to the good people at GAMELAND, all components for I DO MY OWN STUNTS will be completed, packaged and shipped on January 23rd 2026! Thanks for your patience!

  

And if you are attending First Play Los Angeles at Geeky Teas & Games in Burbank this Saturday 27th, I will bringing a copy of the game with me to show off! I hope to see you there!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I DO MY OWN STUNTS update 24

 

I DO MY OWN STUNTS update 24

Printer samples from Gameland showed up today and I couldn't be more pleased! Apart from a few typos (thanks for proof reading Brenda Lee Rogers!) everything is as it should be. 

Corrected files have been submitted. Once they are good with that, I will give the go-ahead to the printer and hopefully things will move into full-production!

It's hard to believe that I only started this project six months ago! The game should be ready to go probably by the beginning of the year. 

   

Thanks for your patience and support!