A great site in Beta: The Game Crafter

I had planned to write about playing Hogwarts House Cup Challenge with my kids tonight, but I came across a great new website for aspiring game designers. The site is called The Game Crafter and it allows you to design, publish and sell your own board game. I think most people who really love games have at least tried to make their own game at some time and I know I have made a few when I was younger. I will be honest and admit that mine were not great, but I can remember playing a game that my friend's father and uncle had made together.

The game was simple. Using a few simple rules as you could build your space ship and develop a simple character then explore the galaxy. You land on a planet you draw a card for that planet that tells you what you encounter, what you have to do, and what you can lose or gain. The planets that had the most danger offered the greatest possible reward, safer planets offered cargo that could be delivered easily, but the rewards were minimal. There were a couple possible strategies that a player could take. Build the massive cargo a hauler and become a better merchant, Light and fast for a smuggler, build the destroyer and fight your way through the galaxy. Of all the games we ever played this is one of the games I remember the most. Playing Planet Fall is one of my favorite gaming memories.

I know that some great games will come through this site. The only challenge will be deciding which ones to try out. Hopefully, they will come up with some sort of crowd sourcing/ social networking input that gives shoppers an idea of the playability of these games.