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Tactics in every turn, strategy in every choice
What is your name and day job?
I’m Buddhima Tham, my main occupation is working as a home tutor.
What is your boardgame company/brand?
Me and a two close friends, Wallace Yeoh and Leong Qing Ye, started a company called Specky Studios.
How long have you been gaming and what got you into boardgaming?
I played Monopoly and Math Magic when I was younger, I had friends who were into boardgaming back in highschool, but I only got into boardgaming myself in 2018.
Designer Buddhima with his games
My Rain Forest
How did you get into game design?
When we founded Specky Studios, we were looking for a new medium for education. From our perspective, the best way to apply gamification in education is through board games. After conducting our research and laying the groundwork, we dove into game design.
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My Rain Forest cards
What games have you designed and published?
The first game we published was Pick It, then followed by Chinese Flower Card, and finally My Rainforest.
What are your guiding principles in game design?
Back then, I set a goal to play at least 300 games before diving into game design. I wanted to understand the intricacies of what makes a game truly great. But somewhere along the way, I realized that games are often inspired by our life experiences. The key lesson for me was figuring out how to translate interesting everyday encounters into a game. So, to answer the question, when I design a game, it’s always something that people can relate to or have experienced in their own lives.
My Rain Forest
When did you decide to publish your games and start your own brand?
This is similar to how we got into game design. We realized there were not many educational games in the Malaysian market. To revolutionize education with gamification, we needed to have products available in the market to make it possible.
What challenges did you face before publishing?
Publishing a game has certainly been a journey full of challenges for us. One of the toughest hurdles has been securing enough funds to cover not just the development costs but also marketing and distribution expenses. On top of that, gathering feedback from a diverse range of age demographics has added an extra layer of complexity. It's been a balancing act, ensuring the game appeals to different audiences while managing the resources needed to bring it to life. But these challenges have also pushed me to think creatively and stay focused on delivering the best experience possible.
What challenges did you face after publishing?
After publishing the game(s), we've faced a new set of challenges that demand attention. Reaching a wider target audience has been a key focus, as growing the player base is crucial for the game's success. Another priority has been bringing out the meaning and value behind the game, ensuring players connect with its purpose and message. On top of that, navigating the complexities of marketing and sales has required thoughtful strategies to stand out in a competitive market. These obstacles have pushed me to think creatively and stay committed to sharing the game's vision with more people.
Chinese Flower Card
What was the most negative comment you have received for one of your games?
We encountered some UI and UX issues with our first game and received criticism that it was not user friendly.
What was the most positive comment you have received for one of your games?
We received praise from the education community. They were pleasantly surprised that we could incorporate and teach certain lessons through a game.
Pick Eat
What is Specky Studios next step forward?
We are excited to bring more educational games to the market while also promoting the idea of using board games as a medium for education to a wider audience.
What is your next game?
The next game in our line is Jom Burger!
1 tip you would give new designers.
Do not lose sight of the original intention behind your design. Once you finish designing, put yourself in the shoes of someone picking up your game for the first time. What emotions does it evoke? Does it align with your initial vision? As a designer, your game was born from an idea and a purpose, so stay true to that. Practicing this early on will help keep your game design on the path you envisioned without getting sidetracked by other interesting ideas along the way.
Pick Eat
1 tip you would give new designers.
Playtest! Don’t take negative comments to heart, and don’t be afraid of people not enjoying your game. During playtests, notice what’s not enjoyable, what needs to be cut out, added in, or streamlined without losing the message or experience you are trying to convey through the game.
What is a controversial topic you wish you could design?
Something related to politics, general election and everything that comes with it.
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