Heal Thyself

Well, I think computers have taken a big bite out of people playing table games. I don't dislike computer games (I play several), but the fun of sitting at a table and interacting with friends and family brings the table game into an area that is very special. I love playing games, making fun of whoever you just got real good and taking the abuse when the game doesn't go my way. The flow of the game is enertianing even when I don't win.

When did you first think about designing board games?

I always played with army men and built citys of blocks that my Papa made for me. These would be the earliest games. I made map boards for games I already had to play on new areas. A friend of mine made a game when I was in fifth grade, but I don't remember the name of it.

Is Infection your first finished board game?

Infection is the first, hopefully not the last.

Dan Sullivan poses with Infection.

A friend and I were looking up parasites and other gross things in the library at Hartnell (College in Salinas, California) when he dared me to come up with a million dollar idea. I had always played board games, and the parasite books must have inspired me. I came up with a set of rules and basic outlay the next day.

How long did it take you to develop the first version of the game?

We made the first version in about a week. That was 1983.

How long did it take before you had a finished version ready?

I made the first production Infection on October 6th 1998, my birthday present to myself. That means 15 years from first model, second model made and copyrighted in 1991, to first production model.

What was the most difficult part about the design process?

Finding all the people and companies to make stuff, where do you find dice for the right price, who makes playing pieces.

What did you enjoy most about designing Infection?

I enjoy watching people play or look at the game for the first time. When someone likes Infection, it makes me very happy.

What did you enjoy least?

Having to ignore the comments, "I think you should have done this or that." I appreciate the help and will use many of the ideas in my next game, but it's still hard to hear.

Did you have the game playtested?

Friends and family helped playtest Infection and several changes were made on their suggestions. (Intensive care was the idea of my friend Tom in grad school.)

How important was the playtesting process for this game?

Playtesting was very important in working out the flow of play and finding all the weird "what if" cases you normally don't think about.

Where did you have the game manufactured?

Everything was done in the U.S. I found different places for everything. Linotext printed the cards, board and box; Caulistics made the playing pieces; TPI printed the rules and money; Star sold me the dice; and Performance Packaging made the boards and boxes. I again enlised the help of friends and family to collate all the money and cards. We're still doing the cards! I assemble each game and shrink wrap them myself. I got eleven pounds of rubber bands from a factory in south San Francisco.

What surprised you most about the manufacturing process?

I have since found out that there are places that will do all the manufacering for you. I guess you have to learn these things the hard way. Also to shop around as prices vary widely.

This interview continues as Sullvian reveals his plans for the future of Infection.

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