Q&A met Etienne Espreman & Frédéric Delporte: ESSEN The Game

[Fred & Etienne]

First of all we would like to thank Raldake and Elsje for this kind invitation on Bordspelmania. We really appreciate your interest in our work.

Etienne and I will answer alternately to the questions depending on our availability. Let’s start to answer your questions.

1) Why did you guys want to make a game about Essen Spiel?

For many years now, I use to spend 4 days at the Spiel. The crazy idea of developing a game about the Spiel popped up 4 years ago. Friends and I spent the all fair being delirious about it. During the 4 days, we tried to imagine how to translate our trip to Essen in terms of gameplay. Each year the same idea came back. Last year Etienne signed his contract for Bruxelles 1893 and I had a brain wave. I asked Etienne if we would be interested in developing a game about the Spiel. His first answer was why not. Then we met for brainstorming and finally we moved into action on May 20th 2013.

2) What was the most difficult part in de design process?

The most difficult part was to find the best mechanisms, which simulates visitors’ experiences in the Internationale Spieletage. The connecting thread of the project was to emphasize the theme. In addition to our ideas, beta-testers brought many interesting anecdotes from the Spiel. Initially we tried to incorporate all of them but the final result of the first prototype was too complex, about 3 hours for a game. It wasn’t easy to select the right ones and bring ESSEN Theme to a one-hour game.

3) Do you still find the time to play boardgames?

Personally not enough. A year ago, I didn’t imagine that game developing was so time consuming. It’s difficult to balance family, professional life and game developing

4) What are your favorite boardgames?

Speaking about myself: Agricola, Terra Mystica, Groundfloor, Last will, Hansa teutonica, Die Macher … and Looping Louis

5) How often do you play games?

Before ESSEN The Game, I used to play 1 or 2 times per week. Now about once a month

6) Did you implement some special mechanics, what hasn't been used in a boardgame before?

Actually I don’t think so. We didn’t develop the game in order to find new mechanics but to find the rights mechanics to simulate the Spiel experience. As said previously the development was driven by the theme. Nevertheless, the encumbering mechanism fits perfectly into the mind spirit of the game. We targeted a short fun and strategy game … mission accomplished!

7) How often did you have to visit the gamefair to make a game about it? Are you going to Essen this year as well?

If I’m right, I went to Essen for the first time in 2008. Since then I go every year. In terms of preparation (localization, prices …) most of the development was done thanks to the “Essen 2013 collection of lists” on BGG, it’s a gold mine.

Of course but this year we’ll be there as editors provided that we succeed with the Kickstarter. Last month we created a new game editing company: Geek Attitude Games.

8a) Why did you got rid of the trees in the board art of the prototype? That made the board look more rustic. Also, the entrances of the convention were more clear in the prototype.
8b)So why did you got rid of the 'calm' visuals of the prototype and made the game board really hectic?

It’s a difficult question to answer, there is no accounting for tastes. Actually the visuals of the prototype were to ‘basic’. Then there is the intervention of the graphic designer. Personally I like the new one even if I was used with the prototype and most feedbacks go that way.

We would like to produce a bigger board in order to incorporate all the game components on it. The current size is 57 x 57 cm. If we reach the stretch goals it will be 57 x 87.5 cm, which gives a much more aery feeling. If I find how to insert an image in the forum, I'll post a preview.

10) Am I correct that there are no Dutch publishers present in the game? If so, can you tell us why?

RASS Games (Wildcatters) and Splotter Spellen (re-edition of Roards & Boats) are Dutch publishers.

11) Why did you call the game Essen and not Spiel?

When I talk about the Spiel I always say Essen, never Spiel. In addition, Spiel is too generic. Out of context, it means game. Could you imagine to call a game “Game” or “Jeu”.

12) How did you choose which logos of companies you would use for the game. Were there companies that were hard to persuade?

We started by choosing games then we have selected one game by editor. The choices were also driven by the localization in the exhibit halls. It was like doing my wish list before Essen but with 60 games.

It took me about 3 months to receive all the agreements and visuals of editors. Actually it was easier than I expected. Beforehand none of my friends thought it would be possible.

Welcome back at BSM! I like the idea of your game and will almost certainly back your game.

13) I saw in the preliminary version of the rules the first player token is identical to the Stronghold of Terra Mystica. The sheep used in Undead Viking might resemble Agricola, but looked more Animal upon Animal. Will that stay like this? Are there more component-wise hints to other games?

Hi robbebob, thanks for your interest in ESSEN The Game If you want to try it to be convinced we’ll be present at Gent Zomerspel Festival. Or maybe you can play it with Raldake.

Most of the game components of the prototype come from a big bag I bought last Essen at Spiel Material … for 5 EUR you get plenty of materials. The final game components will be different.

First of all, thanks for doing this Q&A! This game has been on my watch list ever since I heard of it and it sounds like quite a cool (and realistic!) Essen experience .
Now for my questions:
14) Did you have any problems with copyright, licensing, etc, since it's about the Spiel Essen fair?

Hi Roberto, I hope you are ready to relive the Spiel at home ever and ever.
It was a long challenging process to gather the agreements from the 60 editors for their company logos and the cover box images, Hans im Glück for the meeple shape, Merz verlag for the colours of the Spiel, BGG, Fairplay Magazin and TricTrac … 125 copyrights !!! But no major issue.

15) To what extent is this game inspired by your own experiences of going to Essen? (I like the idea of having to run back and forth to the car cause you can't carry any more games).

This is nearly a copy paste of my Spiel experiences. I remember last year running to Deinko booth to buy my copy. I was one of the 50 lucky ones. And remember how difficult it is when you are carrying 5 game's boxes (e.g. Caverna, Concordia, l’Aéropostale, Russian Railroads and Francis Drake). No escape, it’s time to go back to the car

16) Were you aware of another Essen game being made right now? http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157014/essen . If so, how does or did this influence you (if at all)?

We discovered the project in April. LudiCreations was supposed to start its project early April but it's delayed since 2 months. Last news, it’s supposed to be launched on KS in the following days but there is no communication about it so let’s see.

Actually, except for the theme, both games have nothing in common. In ESSEN The Game, you are a visitor of the Spiel and your main objective is to buy games based on the popularity. In ESSEN you take the role of an editor. Your main objective (as far as I know) is to sell games.

Honestly I don’t know what will be the impact for both of us but if we want to produce our game and be ready for Essen next October we have to start our KS. We are convinced by our vision of the Spiel. We hope you'll be convinced too


16 answers for a first shot ... we will answer the remaining questions soon

And keep the Geek Attitude

[BibKamp318]

27. Do you plan to bring expansions or customized versions to the market like:
- the Nurnberg expansion
- Work your way thru GenCon
- The Osaka Game market
...

[cab]

28. Did you already started your own wish list for Spiel this year? Started mine a while back and curious about yours.

29. Will the game only be available through kickstarter and Spiel or will the local game stores also sell copies?

[Spelhamels_Beerse]

As a gaming club of which the core members are regular Spiel visitors we would really like to add the game to our collection, could be used to interest other non-spiel-members to make a visit.

30. What is your favourite mechanic or part in the game?

[Fred & Etienne]

Hi Fred again ... ok let's answer some questions before sleeping

17) Did you really set out to make a game about Spiel or did you start with nother idea, mechanic, theme... ?

Definitely the first idea was to develop a game about the Spiel. If we didn’t receive the agreements of editors, we planned to keep the mechanics and use it with theme for a wider public … hopefully we succeed. Thanks to all of them !!!!!

18) It sounds like a really thematic game, the mechanisms make it realistic, but what has been the biggest change (for you personally) that you implemented because of playtesting?

There is only one copy of each game … it was a revolution when we took that way . Initially we had a system of decreasing availability. The mechanics was very interesting but too complex for this game, which we wanted to be accessible to everybody : with or without experience of the Spiel. I’m pretty sure we will use it in the development of a future game

19) will there be the yearly "new board and cards " as an expansion ?

Frankly speaking, yes I’d love to … but I’m not the only one who decides, the Kickstarter needs first to succeed. Nevertheless, we have already some ideas to develop further the game e.g. a discount zone where you’ll be able to buy game from the previous years at a cheaper price. That’s the solution to use game components from the previous years. My dream is that ESSEN The Game becomes a kind of Spiel’s almanac. But as I use to say, let’s keep the foot on the ground

I can imagine, that it is sometimes difficult to develop a game with three people...

Actually it was much easier than it sounds like. We are a team/friends where ideas of the others count. I’m pretty sure that we have developed so quickly this game because we were 3.

20) Which one of you was the first to come up with the idea of making a game about Essen?

Me … a dream wchich is becoming reality

21) How were the tasks divided between the three of you?

At the start of the project, we were only 2: Etienne and I. Fabrice came at a later stage when we were already working on the game components. Fabrice is printer so he worked on the prototype and then helped us in rules development. There is always more in 3 heads than in one.

22) Were there 'things' (rules, mechanisms, images...) you wanted to implement in this game, which aren't in the final version?

See question 18. The decreasing availability mechanic was really interesting. For sure, we will come back to it in a future game development.

23) (approx.) How many time did you spend on this game before you were really satisfied with the end result?

We are still adding some little details e.g. the last turn tiles. If you read carefully the current rules you won’t find them but they will be introduced in the KS campaign. That's alternative ends

24) Why do YOU think this kickstarter will be succesful?

I hope it will be successful but at this stage I have no guarantee, as I said I keep my foot on the ground. And why … well each feedback we receive from players is positive, they enjoy the game. To be convinces you only need to read what people write about ESSEN The Game. Two more reviews will be posted this week, one from Spain and another from the States. Each time it’s from people I didn’t know. And for sure the theme speaks to geeks, which mean all of us. Besides I really love the awesome job done by our graphic designer.

25) If you could only play ONE game for the rest of your life...which one would it be?

ESSEN The Game … joking, I played too much to this game . I’m an Agricola lover . I know it’s not original but that’s a fact.

thanks in advance for answering the questions and good luck!!

Thanks for your interest in our game … we hope you’ll be one of the lucky ESSENERS.


Kicstarter -3 ... it's time to rest, still a lot to do before Friday

See you soon



[WTULTC]

31) You are from Brussels (Belgium). So will there be another game about an exhibition later for example of SPEL or SpellenSpektakel?

[ditterio]

32) Which game do you like the most: Bruxelles 1893 or Essen The Game?

[Fred & Etienne]

Me again,

I would like to apologize for the blackout, we are currently finalising the KS page and time is flying, about 14h before the start of the campaign.

I'll come back this WE to answer your questions. I really enjoy this exercise

If needed we could extend the 8 days if you have more questions

Let's meet tomorrow at 14h on KS ... we have just finalised the video, amazing

Fred

[Elsje07]

The campaign has been launched yesterday and is already 50% funded!

33) How you live this campaign? Are you continue looking at the campaign to follow its progress? I believe it must be hard concentrating you on other things because Kickstarter can be so excited!

34) How do you know each other? Is this for a long time before making this game together?

[Earthshaker]

35) I see one of the strech goals is a 5 player board. Do you have a also a solo version in mind ? I know a gaming experience is better with more but sometimes you have to improvise

[Fred & Etienne]

Here's Etienne.

Sorry to come only now on your site. I was on hilidays !

There are a lot of questions, and a lot of answers by my friend Fred.

I won't reply to all questions because some of my answers would be the same as Fred's ones.

So i'm gonna reply only when i feel personnaly concerned.

Thanks to all (and sorry for my poor english).

[Fred & Etienne]

3) Do you still find the time to play boardgames?

4) What are your favorite boardgames?

3) Not enough, unfortunately. But i keep on playing 2 or 3 times a week.

4) Except "Bruxelles 1893" and "Essen The Game", you mean ?
I really don't know. The old classics of course. Amongst the 2013 releases i tried, i would say : Russian Railroads, Nations ans Rokoko.

[Fred & Etienne]

Hi Great to see you here for the Q&A! Welcome!

7) How often did you have to visit the gamefair to make a game about it?
Are you going to Essen this year as well?

Have fun with the Q&A! Looking forward to your answers!

I go to Essen since 2006 (i missed one year) and OF COURSE we go to Essen this year to present "Essen the game". See you there !

[Fred & Etienne]

(from what I have seen of it) The game looks great!

I can imagine, that it is sometimes difficult to develop a game with three people...

20) Which one of you was the first to come up with the idea of making a game about Essen?

21) How were the tasks divided between the three of you?

22) Were there 'things' (rules, mechanisms, images...) you wanted to implement in this game, which aren't in the final version?

23) (approx.) How many time did you spend on this game before you were really satisfied with the end result?

24) Why do YOU think this kickstarter will be succesful?

25) If you could only play ONE game for the rest of your life...which one would it be?

thanks in advance for answering the questions and good luck!!

Hi, Etienne 's speaking :

20) Crazy idea's come always from Fred !

21) Fred and i developped the meca, Beatnik (Fabrice) came later to make our ideas real !

23) Fred is NEVER staisfied !

24) Not sure ! We hope so !

25) Oh, i may not say that ! But i would play it with a girl.

[Fred & Etienne]

26. Hi. Bruxelle, Essen, what will be the next town in a new game?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9100 met Tapatalk

Hi, Etienne 's speaking :

Maybe München... and the Oktoberfest !

No, i'm kidding.