Once you began to seriously develop Octi, how long was it before you decided to look for a publisher?
As a longtime game junkie, I knew that I had something special and unique in Octi, but I had absolutely no idea about prototypes, marketing, the game biz. Nothing. So I did some silly things like send opaque sketches to my favorite companies, which of course got me nowhere. Then, I got more serious and created some nice prototypes, contacted a local game company (Great American Trading), and they decided to go with it in November of 1998. Octi made its debut in retail stores in June of 1999. It's astonishing to think of all that has happened in just the past two years.
Why did you go with a publisher rather than produce the game yourself?
I know nothing about business or manufacturing, a fact that was not lost on my wife who was dead set against my starting a company. I'm glad that I've left those problems to others. I'm in this for fun, not money.
What response did you get from publishers when you submitted the game?
Discuss Octi and other abstract games on the Board Games Forum. A collection of resources for fans of abstract games is available. |
Have you been pleased with the response to Octi?
I've been delighted. As the game grows and takes on a life of its own, I feel as though I am living in a daydream. It's very satisfying to know that people around the world are having fun with it and regard it as one of the few games that can be compared to chess or go. I especially enjoy my interactions with AI [artificial intelligence] programmers from around the world, who are taking up the challenge of programming Octi. But my favorite part is just playing; I love to get into on-line games with people in Sweden, Australia...all over.
When did you learn about the award from Games magazine (2000 Best Abstract Strategy Game)? What was your reaction?
Last September, while at an academic conference. In some ways, I'm more proud of that award than I am anything else I've done. It's so far-fetched. It's like walking into a major league baseball game, picking up a bat, and getting a hit. What are the odds?
What, if anything, surprised you most in the process of designing Octi?
The most remarkable thing was the extent to which the hobby of game inventing changes one as a person. Before Octi, I never did anything with my hands, and I never aspired to make anything tangible. Now, I am an avid woodworker, and I have come to have a new appreciation for craftsmanship and design. I walk through each day with a totally different view of my surroundings.
Why did you decide to develop Octi for Kids?
GATCO perceived, correctly, that the market for a kids' game is far greater than the specialty games market. It's proven to be a great idea, because the sales of Octi for Kids really contribute to the growth of Octi. I actually like Octi for Kids quite a lot, and there are now some really neat AI versions of it (see zillions-of-games.com).
Are you working on any new game ideas?
One game, Mouse Island, will come to market next month [June 2000]. It's a game where mice scurry across a bed of dominoes in order to reach the cheese on the other side. On each turn, players move their mouse and a domino, so that the geometry of the island is always changing. I've created prototypes of six other games, all abstract strategy, which are in various stages of review and production, but I've droned on long enough. Suffice it to say that it's a wonderful hobby.
This feature continues with some comments from Green on the design of Octi.
Octi, page 1
Octi, page 2
Octi, page 3
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