Haribol Way | nPips

What is your name and day job?

Hi I’m CK Choe, I am an electrical engineer.

What is your boardgame company/brand?

My company is called Haribol Way.

How long have you been gaming and why did you start designing boardgames?

I have been into board gaming for around 7 to 8 years, and that was also the time when I started designing games. I have always been drawn to the world of arts, and when I first played Catan and Ticket to Ride, I was very impressed by how the game started to tell a story the moment we had it set up. From that moment, I felt a calling to design a game of my own.

CK Choe and Zodiac Go!

Zodiac Go!

What was the first game you published?

The first game I published was Zodiac Go! The idea behind it was to create a game system, similar to your standard poker deck. Something that allows you to play an infinite number of games with the same box of components.

What are your guiding principles in game design?

My guiding principles changed over the years. Initially, I wanted to design games that were deep and highly complex. However, after designing a handful of games, I learned that a does not need to be complex to be deep. What matters most is that players are engaged and absorbed in the experience.

When did you decide to publish your game and start your own brand?

I decided to publish my game because I wanted to introduce Chinese culture to the mass market. That is why my game includes elements such as Yin-Yang, the Chinese zodiac, and other cultural themes. I wanted to turn my game into a product, and that led me to start my own company. The process of manufacturing and sales is easier when you operate through a company.

Zodiac Go! Playtest session

What challenges did you face before publishing?

The initial base game for Zodiac Go system was a little bit ambitious, I wanted it to play like Mahjong, but I later realised that it will never replicate the impact of Mahjong. From there I spent over a year iterating on the design and finally settled with what we have now. Designing smaller games using the same system was much easier, it also became a stepping stone for me to understand how to design more streamlined games.

What challenges did you face after publishing?

There were way too many challenges after publishing. I had to receive the products by hand and turn my house into a storage unit. On top of that, there was the constant pressure to sell the games.

Zodiac Go! Components

What was the most negative comment you have received for one of your games?

From a marketing perspective, having so many games within 1 system makes it difficult to focus on promoting a single title. Being able to create 10 games in 1 box is both good and bad.

What was the most positive comment you have received for one of your games?

When younger kids are able to understand and enjoy my game, it gives me a big confidence boost. I’m very happy that I’m able to provide a medium where the younger generation can sit down and connect with each other. I strongly believe in using boardgames as an ice-breaker, connecting strangers through shared challenges and meaningful interactions.

Zodiac Go! In Laujiat

What is Haribol Way next step forward?

I plan to design and publish a new game that is not related to Zodiac Go. I already have an idea for a game that is related to AI vs Nature, it is also a card game.

Which is the best prototype you have played?

I think Durian Runtuh by Qing Ye is a great game. Even though the prototype was very simple, the gameplay was easy to get into and the theme was clear and understandable.

1 tip you would give new designers.

Do not come into boardgame design thinking of it purely as a business. Boardgames are still considered a niche in Asia. Approach it as a hobby or passion project, and let the experience you gain from designing games enrich other areas of your life. Join the community and meet new people, do not overthink it.

1 issue in Malaysia that you would like to convert it into a game.

Thematically I like politics and social issues, which is what inspired my upcoming game about AI and nature. One issue in Malaysia that I would like to gamify would be something related to racial and religious tension. I believe the key aspect of any games is that it needs to be fun. If we can address serious issues in an engaging and playful environment, it may help us better understand each other and ease the tension and misunderstandings we often face.

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