I was working as an Architect in the city at the time, going back and for to work on the bus and I needed something to do. So, I decided to design a board game,
just to keep my mind occupied on my daily hourly commute.
I then purchased an Encyclopaedia of Board Games and within it I discovered there were no round circular board games as such. So, I pondered and thought, that is what I will design. Little did I know it would end up travelling around the UK and it would take another 12 years to design!
In the beginning,
I was tentatively playing around with the board design. I had it roughly sketched it out and taped to my coffee table in my living room. At that stage it looked more like black and white chequered quilt.
Then one day a neighbour walked in and said, "Wow, what is that?" I replied," Oh it is just something I have been working on". At that time, I hadn't even played it with anybody. It was nowhere near developed or playable. It was just a sketch!
So, I sat there and thought OK, I will give it some more of my time. At that time, I was working, painting and considering designing some other products.
After about several months. The first time I played it was with my auntie and uncle whilst having a picnic in the grounds of a stately home. At the time I used tippex to differentiate the pieces on coins. My auntie was not impressed when I first showed it to her. "You need to go away and work on it it's not good enough and requires a lot more work.", was her exact words. It was not quite the reaction, I was expecting, still in shock however, I knew she was right.
During the following 9 years, I was trying out different variations of boards. The number of Curvacurve shapes were refined in number. Now there are 120. The rules were tried out with my neighbours, family and friends. Each time I played the game, it changed. It was a case of just trial and error. With a lot of hard work and adjustments eventually it then started to come together.
In my spare room with the belt sander on top of my drawing board I started, sanding the first pieces. By this time the board was developed, however further tweaks were required so the pieces could fit onto it.
The initial five move back circles were added at a much later date to make the game play better. The board then also looked more aesthetically appealing. This then added additional rules to the board whilst interacting with the game play.
In the beginning, I started with circular playing cards to dictate the players moves. This idea was soon scrapped. Whilst I was on holiday. I played a pair of locals at dominoes and I soon realised they were counting. So, I then decided to change to dice. I learnt that the dice had to be mathematically correct as well. The opposite sides of a traditional dice add up to 7. So, the forward black dice to, had to add up to three on opposite sides. By introducing a new dice also added to the production costs as there were not any produced on the open market.
The variations of play were constantly tweaked and had been narrowed down to the rules as they play now. For this version. It was at that stage, I then knew I needed assistance with writing the instructions. So, I then contacted a games writer in Surrey. This man had been in the industry practically all of his life. I remember sitting there in his 1920s Mies van der Rohe type house freezing cold. I even had to go back out to my car to fetch a jumper at one stage. I was that cold!.
After approx. 50 minutes we finished playing the game, He then turned around and pointed to all the board games on his shelves behind him and said, “You see all of these board games behind me. I only come across a game like this, maybe once or twice in about every 30 years. Not one round board game I have plays like this.
But he then said, “The problem you have is that traditional board games, do not sell.
“Oh”, I replied. I will have to think about that”. I then thanked him for his time and subsequently the written rules arrived in the post a few weeks later.
A few months later had passed and I then drove to a Games Convention in Birmingham. I sat down with a company director in the cafeteria and we played a game together. He asked me if could be played with more than just two players. I told him, "I don't know, I have never tried. He suggested, I should also try changing it into a theme. I then thanked him for his feedback and off I went.
On that evening, I was back on my drawing board, in my spare room sanding and spraying more pieces. As soon as I tried the game with 4 players, It worked.
So, the answer was, yes, it does play with more than 2 players.
I then visited a games agent in East Anglia. who then told me to give it a theme, as only games sell with themes applied to them. He suggested giving it a theme, he suggested. Which I dismissed immediately.
I did design another type of board as a theme. I then had to drive to the Games Workshop headquarters in the middle of the country, to purchase additional space pieces. Inside they had a warehouse room full of role-playing boards.
However,
In the shop at the Games Workshop. I could not find enough of the pieces on sale. So, I left disappointed.
Then on my way out I looked in the ground floor workshop window and noticed, little space ships in a box that had just been cast. I then went back into the shop and informed the assistant of what I saw in the workshop. He then said to me, "Do you mind waiting an hour, whilst we packaged them?”. I said, “OK” and a new different looking version of the game was born. I own all the Rights to this board as well.
The price of designing this game was adding up!
After that I put it aside. My heart was not into it any more. As I still liked the traditional look and I felt disheartened having to change the look of it. So, I decided to purchase the name Swipe .com and come back to it at a later date, having felt exhausted of playing it and knowing I had designed an original game. I then started painting and designing other products.
Approx. 12 years later….
I found myself interested in playing chess again at a later age. I use to play a lot of chess as a child growing up. I was also seeing a resurgence in people playing board games where ever I was going. So, the time now feels right to introduce the game onto the market. However, it was not that straight forward, please continue reading.
So, it was back to the drawing board.
Within a year of having another break from it, I had changed the original game and board and also developed the board and game so that that it plays without dice as well. It was certainly on my mind to design a version without dice. Through trial and error, eventually, I completed the game. I now had in my possession five versions of the same game for people to play. An easier version along with other professional versions. Yet, I knew could only afford to issue the original version.
Then I discovered.
Because I had let the name Swipe.com lapse, somebody jumped in and purchased the domain name. The name Swipe which was the name I originally came up with was also taken by other companies.
I then realised If I manage to raise enough sales from this game, the games name will be changed.
So only those who purchase the first 3000 games will have an original version.
The version that plays like chess is too expensive at this time for me to manufacture also.
I did look into crowd funding and startup funding and government loans. However, this was to no avail. I did not feel comfortable giving away a percentage of the game either to attract investment. The initial production costs are quite high. Once you take into account the tool required to make the pieces. It soon all adds up!
So, I had to come up with a plan. What if I only produce a certain amount of the original game and the then make it exclusive. I could then generate enough sales to make the game and launch it under a new name with the new later versions that plays without dice as well.
So, there are only 3000 of each of the original exclusive collectable games on offer. For the two player and the two three or four player version. If I have enough sales, the game will be delivered and then it will be re branded. With newer versions. I have set up an account so that your money is safe. So please be patient for delivery. You will receive the First Edition, Collector’s item, original Game in due course. I have to get the sales in first prior to manufacturing. I hope you enjoy playing it. I need the orders to manufacture the game, so please let people know and be part of something unique and special. So please spread the word. It is only available to Uk residents at this time.
The Next versions will be versions 2 and 3 plus, I will combine the boards. which will then become branded. With a new name and board. It will also not include dice and will be more challenging. The newer version of this game will be even more intense. Because how do you win at this game? There will also be a board change to the original version as well.
This game is on a journey and I hope you can wait for the newer versions to come.
I am trying to sell at least 3000 games at this time to deliver this original game to you. So, I would be grateful if you could please pass on SWIPETHEGAME.COM and purchase an original limited-edition game.
There are only a few available in this limited First Collector’s edition. Please go to web site and purchase a game.
This is my plan. I am seeking your assistance to assist me in getting this game to market. I have registered the company for this product and set up a Pay pal account. Your money will be safe. It should take approx. 3-9 months to deliver the game to you. Allowing for manufacture assembly, signing packaging and delivery, subject to sales.
The signed Versions should be very collectable in the future.
I was playing this original version of the game years ago!
The game has moved on since and I would like you to enjoy playing the first version to.
It takes Approx. 50 mins to play.
It is fun to play.
Can you work out how to win at it?
I hope you and your family and all. Enjoy learning and playing this simple
brand-new game.
The rules are in diagrams and for only those, who purchase a game and are very easy to follow.
Please be patient for delivery and the harder Versions 2 and 3 as well.
New branding to follow soon.
Please most of all, enjoy playing the game.