The Mastermind Behind The Game, Qwixx, and Ohanami Shares His Story and Insights

Are you a fan of quick-playing games? Learn about the man behind the success of The Game, Qwixx, and Ohanami, as Steffen Benndorf shares his journey in the gaming industry and reveals valuable insights. Don't miss this inclusive interview! 🎯

🌟 A Memorable Encounter: Our first meeting with Steffen Benndorf took place in 2019 at the Toy Fair in Nürnberg, Germany – a city renowned for its love of toys and play. We had just started our partnership with NSV and were introduced to Birgit, our account manager, Franz, the CEO, Oliver, the graphic designer behind many of Steffen's games, and one other person. Little did we know that this unassuming individual was Mr. Benndorf himself! He was enthusiastically teaching visitors how to play his games, a rare sight at board game events. When we gathered for a group photo, Birgit called Steffen over to join us. That's how we discovered we were in the presence of the talented designer. This chance encounter set the stage for our fascinating conversation with him. 📸

🎙️ Interviewer: Steffen, thank you for joining us today. To start, can you tell us how you first became interested in designing games?

🧑‍🎨 Steffen Benndorf (SB): I started designing games 25 years ago, focusing initially on complex games. However, none of those early designs were published. With the birth of my second son, I shifted my focus to creating simpler games, particularly dice games. My first game was eventually published by Ravensburger in 2010.

🎙️ Interviewer: It's incredible how you've managed to create such accessible games that can be enjoyed by both children and grandparents. What do you think makes your games, like Qwixx and The Game, so appealing to players?

🧑‍🎨 SB: Qwixx and The Game have simple rules and don't require a lot of time to play, making them perfect for all ages. These games also inspired many other designers and received early recognition from the SDJ jury (i.e. Spiel des Jahres Award jury).

🎙️ Interviewer: In your design process, do you make a conscious effort to ensure your games work well with various player counts?

🧑‍🎨 SB: Absolutely! I find joy in creating games that provide a satisfying experience for everyone, whether playing with two, three, four, or more players.

🎙️ Interviewer: Can you share any insights into the different approaches you take when designing dice and card games?

🧑‍🎨 SB: There's a difference, though it's hard to explain. It has to do with the tactile feeling of the die, which influences the design process.

🎙️ Interviewer: We've heard that Qwixx almost didn't get published. Can you share the story behind its eventual release?

🧑‍🎨 SB: Qwixx was my fourth game. Many publishers rejected the prototype, but a chance encounter with NSV and Reinhard Staupe led to a successful partnership and the game's eventual publication.

🎙️ Interviewer: Cooperative games, like The Game, are very popular. What do you think draws people to this type of gameplay?

🧑‍🎨 SB: The Game introduced a new way of communication and presented a challenging, cooperative experience. It's a great team-building exercise that improves with practice.

🎙️ Interviewer: As an accomplished game designer, what advice would you give to aspiring creators in the field?

🧑‍🎨 SB: The best games have not yet been invented. So, there is still a lot to do. Keep pursuing your passion and creating innovative experiences for players to enjoy.

🎙️ Interviewer: Finally, can you share why you believe people should play more games, especially yours?

🧑‍🎨 SB: Games are the fastest way into other worlds. They provide engaging experiences that connect people and bring joy to their lives.