Ludology Pros and Cons Ep 1
Dec 24, 2023
In this session, board game designer Andy Kim, known for The Spill, shares insights on his creative journey while attending Breakout Con. He discusses the innovative four-way cardboard tower that inspired The Spill's mechanics and the emotional weight of its oil-spill theme and animal rescue aspect. Andy reveals his design evolution from prototypes to polished games, highlights his push action mechanism, and compares his work to well-known titles like Pandemic. He also teases upcoming projects, including a kid-friendly co-op game and a unique spa concept.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How The Spill Began
- Andy Kim built a four-way cardboard dice tower at home and discovered it worked when dice flew into four directions.
- His wife suggested the oil-spill theme and they developed rescuing animals as the game's core narrative.
Research Informed Realism
- Andy researched real oil-spill tools and local marine life to inform item cards and animal selection.
- That accuracy helped industry rescuers recognize and praise the game's realism.
Dice Replace Decks For Accessibility
- The Spill trades Pandemic-style deck management for dice and a bag, making similar emotional tension more accessible.
- Dice-driven unpredictability preserves cooperative pressure while reducing setup complexity.